The darkness surrounding me felt different.

More...hollow.

Was I dead?

No, I couldn't be.

The pain was too real.

But then...

Where was I?

There were voices flying through the air around me, but they seemed so very far away.  I tried to understand them, but it wasn't possible.  They were too far from the deep, empty darkness.

For some reason I couldn't feel any pain, but I still knew it was there.  

Somehow.

I felt someone's presence, and then a comforting squeeze in what I thought was my hand.

But I couldn't tell.

Everything felt disconnected.

I tried to open my eyes, but I couldn't control them.  

I couldn't control anything.

It was like I didn't have enough strength.

I only had enough to give the hand intertwined in mine a small squeeze to show that I was alive. And I truly was.

I knew I was.

And I felt myself coming back together--my strength slowly returning to me.

The feeling gave me a comforting warmth, and I fell back asleep.

When I woke up, I felt stronger.  Strong enough to open one of my eyes.

My vision was blurry, but I couldn't mistake the tear-stained figure in front of me.

"James?" my croaky voice asked.

His head snapped toward me, and I saw his lips perk up into a smile.

"You're awake!" he exclaimed.  But it looked like he wanted to say, 'You're alive!'

"You can't get rid of me that easily," I teased, giving him the biggest smile my limited strength would allow me.

A man I didn't recognize appeared in my line of vision.

"Lily, don't talk. Your body isn't ready," the man said. "Just go back to sleep, okay?"

I gave him a tiny nod and closed my eyes again.

I surrendered to the hard pull of unconsciousness. 

When I finally roused, I had a pounding headache.  

It throbbed in between my temples like a beating drum of pain.  I groaned audibly.  Suddenly the bed shifted and someone grabbed my hand.

"Drink this," a voice said, and then a cold bottle was held to my lips.  

I allowed it to slip down my throat.  My stomach growled in protest.  I let out another groan.  

"Don't worry," the same voice said. "I'm here."

I smiled as the words filled my body with hope.

I'm here.

Those words filled my dreams with a gentle peacefulness.

When my body wanted to wake up again, I pushed against the feeling.  

I wanted to stay here.

Where everything was peaceful fluffy unicorns and rainbows.

But sometimes life didn't give you what you wanted.

I was coming back to the surface.

Back to pain.

I moaned at the growing pain in my stomach.  Then James was there and everything felt better.  

I would survive.

I was a surviver.

I squeezed James' hand and smiled at how strong my grip was.  He squeezed back gently.  I slowly opened my eyes. 

I was laying in a canopy bed that felt like a cloud.  The sheets were silk and the blanket was warm.  The walls were a cream color with delicate gold designs.  Covering part of the walls were large, beautiful paintings.

It was the most extravagant room I had ever been in.

"Lily?" James asked. "Are you okay?"

"No," I replied. "But I will be."

"Do you want some water?"

I nodded.  

The water cleared my throat, and I could speak regularly again. 

"We...we really thought you were going to die," James said.

"But I didn't," I answered, giving his hand a squeeze for proof.

"But--"

"I'm okay now. Except for the pain..."

"Oh! The doctor told me to give this to you," James exclaimed, handing me a bowl filled with something that looked and smelled like crushed bugs. 

"What is this?" I asked, bile rising to my throat. 

"You don't want to know," he replied, covering his mouth as he gagged. "Trust me."

I nodded and bit my lip.  

Then I chugged it down in one gulp.  

I truly thought I was going to throw it up.

"Are you okay?" James asked.

"Just my stomach trying to bring whatever that was back into my mouth so I can enjoy it     again--" I gagged and then quickly swallowed. "All done."

He gave me a reassuring smile and set the bowl aside. 

"Do you want to go back to sleep?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I've rested long enough. By the way, how long have I been out?"

"A few weeks. Almost a month," he replied.

"What?!" I exclaimed, shooting up.  The blood rushed to my face, and I fell back against the pillows.  My head began to throb again, and I groaned.

"You can't get out of bed yet," James said, fixing my pillows. "You don't have to sleep. Just rest. I'll be here if you need anything."

"Where am I?" I couldn't help asking.

"You're at the palace."

My eyes widened. "The palace?"

"It was the closest place with a physician. And the best physician in the land, I might add."

"Thank you," I said. "For saving my life...again."

"It was my pleasure," James replied. "Are you up for a little reading? We never finished The Adventures of Barren the Bald."

I smiled. "Of course."

He grabbed the book from his satchel and set it down on the bed.  He started to read from where we had left off. 

"Hands tied behind his back, Barren the Bald took out twenty men, all as big as a tree."

"He really is a legend..." I began. 

"And so are you, Crossbow," James replied.

"Prince."

"Legend."

"Goodie two shoes." I smirked as his jaw dropped in mock offense.

"For your information, I can be bad sometimes," he answered. "Just ask my old tutors. They have some history with the palace rats."

"Oh my! All hail the Prince of the Rats."

"I take it you forgive me?" James asked quietly.

"Bring me a cream ball and then we'll talk, Mister Rat," I replied with a smirk.

"You are going to make fun of me forever, aren't you?"

"Until it stops being funny--which doesn't seem likely anytime soon."

"Fine." He rose and walked to the door.  He paused before leaving and said, "I'm really glad you're feeling better."

"Me too," I replied.