#Chapter 156 - Caretaker

Lila The first thing I noticed was the smell of herbs. Sharp and bitter, willow bark and mint. It mingled with the faint sweetness of the lavender sachets stuffed into the bedframe, the contrast oddly comforting. My head felt thick, heavy, every thought slow to surface, like trying to swim through honey. I blinked against the dim light and realized I wasn’t alone. Ronan sat at the small table near the window, broad shoulders hunched as he carefully unwrapped a folded cloth. Inside were sprigs of something dark and glossy, leaves crushed to release their oils. He moved with surprising delicacy for someone so large. I took note of his measured motions, those precise hands. A small ceramic bowl sat beside him, steaming in soft tendrils. “You’re awake.” His voice was low, calm. He didn’t turn towards me immediately, but I saw the way his shoulders eased slightly, tension bleeding out of them. “How long?” My own voice sounded raw, like I hadn’t used it in days. “A few ho