Who struck Kessa Decora over the head? When consciousness finally returns, what new predicament will the fugitive find herself in this time? And will it widen the rift forming between her and Aquestria?

Chapter 5 of the audiobook version of Meena Mason's, The Thief's Tale.

Chapter 5 Excerpt:

The merry chirping of birds, usually a cheerful sound to regain consciousness to, ravaged Kessa’s ears and split her aching head into fragments. Her eyes became painfully aware of sunlight beyond their lids. Vocally, Kessa wished for someone to hit her over the head again just to stop the pain.

“Yeah, sorry about that. I had a sneaking suspicion you might try to run off and asked Rake to prevent that from happening. I didn’t realize he’d take me so literally.”

Immediate recognition of the voice relaxed Kessa’s fears but did nothing to ease her discomfort (to the contrary, knowing who was in the room with her only increased it). If Kessa could’ve rolled her eyes she would’ve, but instead she had to content herself with merely squinting at her captor.

“Your Rake is aptly named,” she grated.

He smiled impishly. “Good to see your sense of humour hasn’t been affected by your headache.”

“I’m surprised it wasn’t knocked out of me.”