The noise was far and distant... but he still heard it. The sounds seemed drowned out, as though muffled by water. No... it felt like he was underwater....
His eyes slowly opened, a dull ache gnawing at the very core of his being.
The moment his eyes opened, the sounds flooded his ears clear as day. Closing them again, he endured the throbbing in his head before slowly sitting up.
He found himself on a large bed in a luxurious room, its white sheets covering him as sunlight poured in through the window, bathing everything in a golden glow.
He narrowed his eyes as they adjusted to the brightness of the room.
"Where am I..."
Damon muttered those words reflexively, not expecting an answer. Yet a reply came.
"We are in the Valtheron capital city, my lord."
The voice came from a violet-haired young woman kneeling by his bed. Her head was lowered, posture rigid, as though waiting for his orders.
