Chater 121

Elora’s POV

Everything tips sideways.

At first? Barely a blip. Just a twitch in my vision while I kneel down next to this kid, skinny knees, brown hair like mine, eyes massive and full of questions. She’s got the gift of talking. I’m fighting to keep the bandage straight, and she’s just talking nonstop like the pain meant nothing to her.

“Luna, do you have a puppy?” she says, toes wiggling, all wound up.

I try for a smile. “Not yet, kiddo.”

She’s practically vibrating. “You should get one! I’d come visit him, and you could name him something cool. Like Moonpaw!”

Her excitement was kind of contagious, but she’s starting to blur around the edges, and my hands shook. Wrapping a bandage shouldn’t be that hard. The air’s thick, too, all of a sudden.

My voice barely scrapes out. “Moonpaw’s perfect.”

Her face lights up, and she grabs my arm with a serious face. “Promise?”

I nod, even though my chest is aching. “Promise.”

Standing up? Bad move. The room does this weird carousel thing, little gold and black fireworks popping behind my eyes. I placed my palms to my forehead, took a deep breath, and tried not to pass out in front of the kids. It was not a great Luna look.

“Elora?” One of the healers calls from across the room, voice all gentle. “Sit down before you fall down, please.”

“I’m fine,” I say, not sounding convincing.

Right on cue, Dominic walks in. Guy’s like a storm rolling in, silent, but you can feel it. He clocks me, jaw tight, eyes doing that ‘I know you’re about to do something dumb’ thing. He’s seen this rodeo before.

“Elora,” he says, soft but firm, coming closer. “Time to take a break.”

“I’m fine.”

Dominic ignores me. He crouches down, helps the little one to her feet, his hand brushing mine, steady, warm. “Go on, sweetheart. Luna’ll catch up with you soon.”

She bounces off, totally oblivious to the fact that Luna is one bad breath from hitting the floor.

The room clears a bit. Dominic’s all business now. “You’re shaking.”

“I just skipped breakfast,” I mumble.

He gives me this look telling me he was not buying it. “When’d you last sleep for real?”

I look away. Busted.

The older healer, silver hair, eyes soft as rain, steps in. Her palm lands on my forehead and her mouth tightens. “You’re burning up, Luna. You’re running on fumes. If you don’t rest, you’re going down.”

Her words echo in my head, all fuzzy and slow. I don’t even bother arguing.

Dominic wraps an arm around me when I start to tip sideways. “Just for a few minutes. Please,” he says. And it’s that please... not a command, not a threat, just…gentle. My last bit of resistance fizzles out. I let him steer me out, head leaning on his shoulder like a total sap.

As we leave, I feel eyes boring into my back. Don’t need to look... Dante. His presence is static, all sharp edges and tangled feelings. I catch the flick of a shadow as we pass the corridor. I could feel his aura, possessive, restless, a low growl in a silent room.

Dominic doesn’t look at him, but I feel the tension radiate off him. For a second, I feel like being drawn by a magnet.

“Just breathe,” Dominic whispers. “Let it go. Just for now.”

I will try. Close my eyes. Not sure if I succeeded.

We make it to our chambers. Dominic places me on the bed, his hand lingering at my wrist a breath longer than necessary. “Rest,” he said.

I try for a laugh. “You sound like the healers.”

“I’m worse. I’ll actually stick around to make sure you do it,” he said, smirking.

It’s enough to drag a weak laugh out of me, even though every bone in my body ached. I didn't really know when I drifted off, just that Dominic’s there.

When I woke up, the place was quiet, but my head was pounding. The sun's coming into the room... late afternoon already.

I wish this headache would go away. And today of all days. Today was a council meeting. It was non-negotiable, obviously. Luna’s got to look steady, not like she’s about to faint. That’s the rule. No room for weakness.

I drag myself up, ignoring how my head banged. I run a hand through my hair, go through my closet and change into something presentable, and glance in the mirror. I looked like hell. Pale, haunted, eyes rimmed with shadows. Whatever. No time to dwell on it.

I have to move.

By the time I hit the council chamber, it’s packed. Dante’s up near the big table, talking with the elders. Dominic slouched against the wall, arms folded, scanning the room like he was hunting for trouble.

As soon as I stepped in, both of them stared at me. I feel it, like being caught in a spotlight.

Dante looks like he wants to wrap me in bubble wrap. “Elora, you shouldn’t...”

“I’m fine,” I shoot back, faking a grin. “Let’s just get on with it.”

Their eyes stick to me, burning holes right through me. Makes my skin itch. The elders are talking about something... border patrols, new moon, but it’s all just a low hum in my ears. My hands clamp onto the table so hard my knuckles go white. Heart’s hammering.

And then... bam

Everything just... drops out.

Sound gets sucked away.

The air's suddenly thick, suffocating. Faces smear together into a weird, glowing mess.

“Elora?” That’s Dante, but it sounds like he’s underwater. “Elora!”

I try to blink the fog away, but nope, vision’s tunneling. Chest locks up, room spinning like a bad carnival ride.

Dominic’s already moving, could recognize those heavy footsteps anywhere.

“Elora, stay with me!” Dante’s voice slices through, desperate.

The mouth won’t work. Knees give out. Not my most graceful moment.

Someone catches me… Dante, smells like pine and maybe something burnt. On the other hand, rougher, Dominic. They’re both freaking out, voices overlapping, kind of frantic and way too loud.

“Elora!”

“She’s burning up, get the healer!”

“Don’t you dare close your eyes, Elora!”

Doesn’t matter. Words are slipping away, melting into nothing.

All I catch before the world goes black is their faces, panic, regret, something that might be love, all twisting together. Way too much for me to hold.

Then I’m just... gone. Nothing but quiet.