Kain's consciousness returned slowly, like a ship emerging from a dense fog. His head felt heavy, as if it were filled with lead, and a sharp, throbbing pain pulsed behind his temples. He groaned softly, his eyelids refusing to open just yet. The migraine was unbearable, and he could feel every heartbeat reverberating through his skull like a blow from a hammer.
But as he lay there, he became aware of something else. His head was resting on something soft, something warm. The sensation was comforting, almost soothing, and it helped to dull the edge of his pain.
He inhaled deeply, and a sweet, floral scent filled his nostrils. It was faint but unmistakable, like the fragrance of blooming flowers after a spring rain. The smell was calming and familiar, but not something he could immediately place.
