My head felt heavy as I opened my eyes, taking a moment to orient myself. I lay on the plush cushions of Princess Arianna's chamber, the faint scent of lavender and moonflowers drifting through the room. I had no idea how I ended up here; the last clear memory I had was of Selena's lips, her kiss... but everything afterward was a blur.
A figure by the window caught my eye—Arianna, bathed in the soft glow of the night, gazing out at the kingdom of the Crystal Pack. The full moon hung just above the horizon, casting its silvery light across the landscape. As if sensing my movement, she turned, her reflection in the glass meeting my gaze.
"You're awake," she observed with a small smile.
I sat up rubbing my temples. "Yeah… though I feel like I've been hit over the head. My mind's spinning."
