The morning room was quiet when Seren woke.
Sunlight streamed through the windows, warm and golden, but she felt none of its warmth. Her stomach churned. Her head ached. The simple act of sitting up made her dizzy, and the scent of the breakfast tray that had been delivered hours ago made her stomach lurch.
Lysa found her there an hour later, still in her nightclothes, pale and trembling, her hand pressed against her abdomen as if trying to steady herself.
"Seren?" Lysa crossed the room quickly, her hand on her friend's forehead. "You're burning up. What happened? You look terrible."
"I don't know." Seren's voice was weak, barely above a whisper. "I woke up feeling sick. I thought it would pass, but it's getting worse. Every time I try to move, the room spins."
"Have you eaten? Have you tried to keep anything down?"
"I tried. It came back up." Seren's face was pale, her eyes hollow. "I can't keep anything down. Not even water."
