*Isla*

“Miss Isla? Miss Isla, are you all right?”

The sound of Poppy’s voice has my eyes flying open, and I realize I haven’t quite blacked out, but I have come close. I blink a few times and note she has her arms around me, and I have one arm on the bed. “I’m fine,” I tell her, blinking my eyes as I try to clear my head. “I’m fine.” I try to push myself up onto the mattress but find myself floundering, unable to get my limbs to cooperate.

“Here, lie down for a moment. I’ll get you some water.” She begins to lift me up onto the bed,...