Page 27 of Ruling the Green

“Lock this,” Jet demanded before closing the door.

I didn’t waste a second doing that.

Then I grabbed a fresh tunic from Jet’s wardrobe before making my way into the water closet to strip and dip my toe into the water.

It wasn’t my water. I didn’t feel that instant vitality I did with my lake. But the cool familiarity was refreshing as I slipped down into the water.

It was a slow sort of revival, easing the ache in my bones, lessening the headache pounding in my temples. But it was the best I’d felt since I was dragged out of my lake.

But the water wasn’t fresh, wasn’t being nurtured by the trees, plants, and creatures, which gave it the life force that revitalized me fully. So it wasn’t long before the aches eased back. Not as bad as before, but enough that I decided to finish washing my hair and body before climbing out to comb out my hair and brush my teeth.

I was absolutely drained afterward.

I walked on heavy legs back to the bed, climbing on and slipping under the covers to rest my eyes for just a few more minutes.

“Serin!”

The force of the voice shocked me awake, making me shoot up in the bed.

“Just me,” Jet said, sitting on the side of the bed. “I called you a few times. I was worried.”

I settled against the headboard, glancing around the room, my eyes pinching at the dying light.

At my pinched brows, Jet nodded.

“It’s just after eight.”

Eight?

I’d slept all day?

Even as I thought it, though, my brain and body caught up with each other, and the pain intensified.

“Water?” Jet asked, already getting up to fetch the glass and a pitcher.

I gulped down several glasses before I could even think past the aches.

“You’re looking very pale,” he told me, brows pinched.

I could do nothing but shrug.

“You’re still not speaking?”

I tried and tried, but I couldn’t manage even a squeak.

I felt my face crumble even as Jet sighed and got up from the bed. He crossed the room, opened the door, and called out to Vishen.

“What’s going on?”

“She’s still not speaking.”

Vishen frowned. “Not even a sound?”

I shook my head.

“That’s not normal, right?”

“Not without another dose, no. There’s almost no way it is still in her system. Unless…”