Lenore finds herself unable to stay awake for long periods of time. She understands that her body needs the rest, and she's lucky that the imperial physicians were able to create an antidote before the poison did too much damage, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating to keep opening her eyes and finding that hours have passed in what felt like a blink.
She's aware that she's back at the townhouse, even if she doesn't remember leaving the imperial palace. However, she's glad to be somewhere more familiar. Somewhere that feels like home. A place where she belongs. Even the scent of the room is more comforting, like herbs and floral soaps.
Sometimes she wakes up and hears her mom and Vella talking to her. Other times it's Evander and Vella or both of her parents. Then, when it's quiet, she knows that it's Alaric with her, either at a table that's been set up as a makeshift desk or beside her in bed, careful not to disturb her by moving too much.
