Helio’s POV
Sunlight, pale and filtered, painted stripes across my eyelids, coaxing me back to consciousness. My head throbbed still, but I was sure that my eyelashes no longer hurt. It was an improvement, at least.
Cindra, clad in a fresh gown that was a shade of blue paler than her eyes, sat beside me, her hand resting on mine. Her face, though slightly drawn, was glowing with relief, and that brought a smile to my lips.
“Hey,” I rasped, almost choking on how dry my mouth was. She offered me more water as I tried to ignore how embarrassed I was. I had always liked my voice, just deep enough. Confident. To hear it creaking like a rusty gate, especially when talking to Cindra, pricked a part of my pride that was already too bruised to fight back.
Her smile widened, crinkling the corner
