Chapter 16: The Dawn of a New Moon

The world returned in a slow, painful tide. The first thing I was aware of was the pain—a deep, throbbing ache in my side. The second was the warmth. A steady, grounding heat that seemed to radiate from my core, soothing the sharp edges of the agony. And the third was the scent. Pine and snow and something uniquely, comfortingly Kaelen. I opened my eyes. I was in my own bed in the Silvermane compound. Moonlight streamed through the window, painting the room in silver. And there, slumped in...