Women in the small kingdom of Aeriana are disappearing.
Iris Daniels, a budding painter in the East Territory, is trying to keep her head down. In a kingdom filled with abilities, music, and Destined love, Iris is determined to build a career out of...
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"Today the kingdom grieves as the funeral procession for the late King Aedan, Queen Terra, and Princess Driana makes its way around Redlian. The royal family will be placed to rest on the burial grounds at the Second Palace. The funeral procession is almost four miles long, with many Aerianans trailing on foot."
—Mark Harrison, newscaster, STR News
The fear in Iris' eyes when she opened them had Wylan calling out. "Nurse!"
Her throat worked, trying to make sense of the tube down her throat. "It's okay, It's okay," he put his hands out palms up. "Nurse!"
A nurse rushed into the room, took quick stock of the situation, and got to work. "Iris? You're alright. You've been intubated. Don't try to swallow, just relax."
"Can we get the tube out?"
The nurse shook her head. "I can't extubate until she passes a spontaneous breathing trial."
What in the—? "Then test now."
The nurse proceeded to make notes of Iris' vitals—heart rate, blood oxygen levels, hand grip strength. "I-I've never seen this in all my years." She swallowed, her eyes wide. "All looks good. I need to get the clear from the doctor." Then she disappeared, looking a little shaken.
Wylan never moved from Iris' side, even as the nurse and doctors filtered in and out. "You've been in a coma for about a day and a half," he explained. "We pulled you from the rubble of the warehouse."
Iris' gloved hand closed over Wylan's. The action had him choking back emotion. "I didn't think we'd get you back," he told her.
The doctors eventually returned and extubated Iris. "Iris, I need you to cough for me," the nurse instructed before pulling out the tube.
Wylan never left her side. When the doctors tried to start more tests, he cleared his throat. "Iris has had a night. Can we hold the tests until first thing tomorrow? She needs some time to rest."
The doctor opened her mouth as if ready to protest, but something in Wylan's face had her stopping. "We can give you a few hours to rest." The doctor looked at Iris. "You're a bit of a medical miracle, Miss Daniels."
After they left with the promise of checking in according to the schedule, Wylan sat back down in the uncomfortable leather chair. It was just the two of them. "The Circle members in the warehouse didn't make it out," he told her.
Swallowing, Iris nodded. "I—"
Wylan shook his head. "Don't talk just yet." The doctor mentioned her throat would be sore and would need some healing from the intubation.
He would explain as much of the entire situation as he could. But first — "Iris, I need to know how healed you are. I'll need to check your bandages."
