I woke up to the aroma of breakfast and freshly brewed coffee. My head was pounding from the previous night's indulgence, making every step feel like an effort. As I trudged downstairs, the promise of a hearty meal was a faint comfort compared to the throbbing pain in my temples. Opening the kitchen door, I caught a blur of movement in my peripheral vision, but my sluggish reaction time meant I didn’t dodge the hard impact to my already aching head.
When I regained consciousness, I found myself in an unfamiliar situation. Animal furs were hanging from the rafters, drying in the room, and I was restrained by metal cuffs around my wrists. Panic surged through me as I tried to call upon my magic, only to be met with a disheartening fizz. A sharp pang in my chest made me gasp; my connection w
