Shaken up by the unexpected loudness of the hoarse voice, Aideen felt as if her head was submerged under the ice-cold water and then instantly pulled out, sharpening all her senses and making every feeling and sensation even more prominent than before.
Still somewhat confused or rather shocked and despite being shrouded in the usual impenetrable darkness, she tried to calm down and focus, and when she finally could, the princess felt unbelievably cold. At last, it dawned on her––she was wearing the same clothes she wore when she entered Bella's bedroom which was nothing but a long thin nightgown. Its fabric was now soaked in both her sweat and the snow and was sticking to her body despite originally being of a loose design.
As her attention shifted to her right hand, Aideen realized that she was still holding the small scarf that Bella knitted for her future child while her left hand was pressed against something cold and bumpy, resembling the thick skin of a live being.
