Chapter 74: The Rightful Heir...
"—merald... Emerald."
A faint voice scratched at the edge of her consciousness, but it felt like trying to hear through water.
Emerald groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. Every part of her felt heavy, and her head throbbed with a dull pain that made her feel sick. She realised she was lying on the cold, hard floor, which felt dirty and rough against her cheek.
Her hands were tied behind her back, and the ropes dug painfully into her wrists. She tried to move and reach out to her wolf, but something was off. Her bond with Viola felt distant and weak.
"Viola?" she thought, reaching through the fog.
A strained, faded growl responded. "Wolfsbane... can’t break through. You’re on your own, Em."
Emerald muttered a curse quietly to herself. Her throat felt parched, and her tongue felt heavy and thick.
She forced herself up into a sitting position, wincing as her muscles screamed in protest. Her eyes scanned the dimly lit room: old wooden walls, flaking paint, a broken chair in the corner, and a single window.
No fireplace, no obvious tools, nothing sharp within reach. The door was shut, bolted from the outside.
She scooted awkwardly across the floor, her knees scraping against the rough surface. Finally, she made it to the window and used her shoulder to push herself up so she could see outside.
The view was filled with tall pine trees and thick greenery, with mist swirling softly between the branches.