55

Arina wakes up on the sixth day.

She's still pale and haggard, and the first sign I get that she's awake is a startled scream. It's night and it's late, but like every day before, I lay down next to her on the spacious bed, so I wake up quickly.

I, Reeina and the mekrai, were feeding her with teas and broths while she was unconscious, and I think that's why she resisted and will resist. She will just need some time to fully recover.

There's a lit candle next to me, resting on a stand, and I bring it to the bed to light up the darkness a little.

Arina looks at me.

Her hair is soft and clean again and hangs down from her shoulders to her hips in soft waves. A silly detail I thought about; that she would be happy when she woke up and her hair was like before, like when we lived on Goddess Island.

— Kim? — he almost stutters, blinking many times as if he can't believe I'm right here.

I notice her next move before she makes it, but I'm petrified and can't stop her.

Arina tries to use both