Liv nodded slowly, pretending to understand what he meant.
"Anyway, it's best for you to rest now," Ted said.
Liv nodded once more, and Ted left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
Soon after, Annie and Mira returned with an armful of sweets. Liv's heart lifted immediately. She hadn't realized the castle had so many kinds of desserts and she truly did love anything sweet.
Liv had fallen asleep with a heart full of joy, but by midnight her body turned unbearably cold. The fever returned, harsher than before. She shivered, every breath painful, as if her heart was being squeezed from the inside.
Through her hazy vision she saw the door open, but she could no longer force her eyes to stay awake. A moment later, warmth enveloped her body. comforting, steady, familiar. Only then was she able to sleep soundly again. Warm… peaceful… safe.
