Eira’s eyes snapped open, and her breathing came in ragged gasps. Her gaze immediately fell upon the dimly lit hospital ceiling. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead.

A nightmare. That death—it had been a nightmare.

Yet, the pain felt so real that heat radiated through her entire body, as if she had truly just experienced the agony of dying. Her throat burned, and her chest felt crushed under the weight of a massive stone; the sensation was a chaotic mix of searing pain and throbbing ache.

"Eira? What is it? Are you okay?"

Eira started in surprise as Kael’s face suddenly appeared in her field of vision. She quickly wiped...