Leofric woke to the feeling of someone driving a sword through his skull. At least, that's what it felt like. His head throbbed with each breath, his mouth tasted like something had died in it, and every small sound seemed to echo through his brain like thunder.
He groaned and pressed his palms against his eyes, trying to block out the weak morning light entering through the curtains. What had he been thinking last night? Drinking that much wine had been a terrible idea. But at the time, it had seemed like the only way to dull the pain and helplessness he felt.
A soft sound came from the corner of the room.
Leofric's heart leaped in his chest. Isabella. She had come to check on him after all. Maybe there was still hope.
He dropped his hands and turned his pounding head toward the sound, forcing his eyes to focus despite the pain. For just a moment, the figure near the window was blurry, and his alcohol-fogged mind let him believe it was his wife.
Then his vision cleared.
