The late morning light filtered through the water, casting shifting patterns across the walls of the submerged mansion. Aleks stirred, his body protesting as he forced himself upright. Sleep had come in uneven waves, better than before, but far from restful.
He rolled his shoulders, grimacing at the stiffness in his limbs. Two days had passed since Arthur's dinner with Zephyra, and though he had gained some strength, his recovery still felt slow, sluggish in ways that frustrated him.
With a quiet sigh, Aleks swung his legs over the side of the bed, rubbing a hand through his hair before pushing himself to his feet. His balance held, though there was a faint unsteadiness to his step as he made his way toward the pitcher of water on the nearby table. Pouring himself a cup, he drank deeply, savoring the cool relief against his parched throat.
