Claire POV
I woke up lying in an unfamiliar bed with bright lights shining above me.
Squinting against the pain in my head, it took me a minute to realize where I was and what had happened:
This was one of the exam rooms at the clinic.
And I had fainted.
I couldn’t decide which was worse, the embarrassment over collapsing or the pain that was still clawing deeply into my head and shoulders.
I struggled to sit up, hoping to try to sneak back home without anyone else seeing me.
If I could just get back to the palace, for a healing session and some sleep, I’d be okay.
Or at least, I tried to convince myself that would be enough.
“Oh no you don’t,” said Amelia, hurrying over from where she’d been sitting just out of sight.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.
She stood i
