Chapter 11

Simone's POV

“I'm ready,” I say and yawn loudly.

My arm still hurts, but not as much as it did five minutes ago. My head spins like a top, and my thoughts have slowed down to a crawl. Everything around me moves in slow motion, and I battle to focus on any one thing.

What did Vesper give me?

Aldric manoeuvres himself so he can sit behind me and gently pulls me back until I lie flush against him. Under any other circumstances, I’d question his actions, but the medicine has rendered me stupid, and having Aldric’s warm body against my back is comforting. I feel oddly safe. Protected.

“Brace yourself, Poppet,” Vesper says.

“Hm-hm,” I mumble.

Aldric’s arms snake around me, and he pins me down. I’m aware that Vesper has my left wrist in his hands, but I barely notice. I’m too focused on Aldric and how good his mere touch makes me feel.

The next moment a sharp pain shatters my happy little dreamland, and for those few seconds everything comes back into stark, clear reality. I think I scream w