*Eva*
What my brain registered first was pain—a lot of it. Even before I opened my eyes, my side was screaming with agony. I flexed some of my other muscles experimentally and immediately wished that I hadn’t.
Whatever part of me that wasn’t in pain was just extremely sore and tender.
It took me a little longer to open my eyes. I was momentarily confused when I saw a tan sheet over me. I blinked hard, willing my eyes to focus. My confusion only grew when my ears processed the sounds of birds chirping cheerfully.
When my eyes finally adjusted, I was able to confirm that I was inside a tent. I was lying on a thin mat and had a scratchy blanket draped on top of me.
“Eva?”
I moved and lifted my head slightly with difficulty. Rion came into the tent, his eyes widening when he saw that I was awake. He hurried toward me, lowering himself on his knees by my side.
“Thank the Goddess you’re awake!” he exclaimed, looking me over. When he met my gaze, his eyes turned sorrowful.
