TIARA THORNELLS
Consciousness returned to me slowly, like the gentle unraveling of a dream. The faint, calming scent of candles filled my senses, grounding me in reality. My brows furrowed in confusion as I realized I was once again lying on a soft mattress. The room was wrapped in silence. I couldn’t hear a single sound.
"Tiara."
The commanding voice of Prince Zatan echoed in my ears. My eyes snapped open, and there he was seated at the side of the bed. His large, veined hand was wrapped gently yet protectively around my left hand.
"Tiara, are you alright? How are you feeling?" His voice was calm but edged with concern.
I couldn’t speak right away. The last thing I remembered was the maniacal joy in King Luther’s voice as he laughed inside the dungeon. It made my chest tighten just
