Kael came back to life choking on air.
He wasn't sure if it was air or incense—sweet and heavy, like someone was trying to mask the scent of something worse. His chest burned. Not metaphorically—actually burned. Like someone had carved a symbol into it and forgot to numb the nerves first.
He sat up fast. Mistake.
Pain shot through his back and legs. The world spun—a blur of red curtains, golden braziers, and way too much silk. A woman's voice sliced through the haze.
"He's awake."
Kael blinked. His vision cleared just enough to make out the speaker: tall, curves that didn't quit, crimson robe barely hiding the body underneath. Her eyes glowed like firelight.
"You shouldn't be alive," she said, arms crossed under her chest. "Men don't survive Ether exposure."
Kael coughed. "Cool. Glad I missed the memo."
She didn't smile. She studied him like he was a puzzle wrapped in a threat.
"I'm Reya Stormveil. High Battle Priestess. You are…?"
Kael looked down. He was shirtless, covered in glowing veins. Some of them pulsed with faint gold. This wasn't Earth. Hell, it probably wasn't even reality.
"I have no idea," he said honestly.