Chapter 629: Lies

ELIA

Elia was drowning in a wave of pain. And even when the wave receded, pulling back from her shore, the ripples of its brothers threatened, washing up and over her in surge after surge until it seemed like there was no respite at all. Her head swam, screaming, crying, sweating… then it all faded for a blessed second when her body, still aching and primed for pain, could breathe.

She opened her eyes, blinking against the salt on her skin, to find Aymora leaning over her, her face worn and haggard.

"We need to check Elreth's head," she said quietly, rubbing Elreth's arm.

"Where's…where's Reth?" Elia gasped. She sounded like a child begging for their father, but she didn't care.

"He's just taking the head off some other males, he'll be back very soon—so we're going to examine you now, okay?"

Elia nodded, not quite able to take in what she'd said.