"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
A familiar voice drifted to Hermi's ears, pulling her through the heavy fog of sleep. As focus returned to her vision, Hermi recognized the face hovering above her. It was her maid, Macrina.
Macrina stood beside the bed with a basin of water in her hands. Her usually sombre features were fractured by a rare hint of worry.
Hermi hadn't even managed to offer a reply, when Macrina set the basin down and rushed toward the door of the Queen's Chamber, shouting, "Castellan! Castellan! Her Majesty is awake!"
Enzo appeared in the doorway only seconds later, as if he had been standing vigil right outside the frame the entire time. His face was no better than Macrina's, his fine features dimmed by the dark skin beneath his eyes.
"Your Majesty! You are awake!" he called, his voice thick with relief as he hurried over to the bedside.
Seeing Enzo, Hermi managed a weak smile despite the lingering haze. "Enzo? When did I... when did I get back?"
