The door creaked.
Stella froze.
Her body, still weak and sore, tried to react—her trained instincts forcing her spine to straighten, even though she felt that any sudden movement would make her faint again. Her golden eyes stared at the doorknob turning slowly, as if whoever was on the other side was hesitating... or was absolutely certain that there was nothing to worry about.
The door opened slowly.
And there she was.
Samira.
But not the trembling child of the past, nor the draconic creature from the square. This Samira was... a bridge between the two extremes.
