The bracelet

"The bracelet," Hou Ruyen hummed as she approached, her hand outstretched.

Pain was eating away at his consciousness, putting dots of white in Zhang Wang's vision. Sounds appeared far when they were in fact near. He groaned, his nerves flaring as he tried to summon his strength.

It was excruciating just to haul his neck up. It hurt even to smile. He laughed without humor, "Isn't this going a little overboard?" A dry cough scratched at his already parched throat.

Hou Ruyen kept her smile steady, "Overboard? Allow me to tell you what's overboard. It was certainly overboard when you disappeared for a full five month's time. Just think of the agony I suffered worrying about you?"