/-Zara-/

I woke up suddenly, gasping for air as I sat up in bed.

My lungs hurt like I had been underwater. My tense body, I felt around for my chest, bracing myself for the feel of the dagger lodged in it—blood, pain, or anything.

But there was nothing.

Only my racing heartbeat pounding wildly against my chest.

No… no, no, no…" I panted, running my fingers over my chest again. It was smooth, warm and in one piece.

The rock walls around me weren't the cold blackness of the ...