He held her left hand in his own and gave her fingers a little squeeze. “I don’t think you are, Sis. You’re bleeding and your eyes look weird.”
She blearily peered up at him. That was the first time he’d referred to her as his sister since their mother’s death. He’d been filled with so much anger and resentment in the last few months that he’d hardly spoken to her.
“That’s the concussion,” Lo growled. “With your kind, your pupils expand or look lopsided.”
Loshika bustled back to the other side of their small home, rummaging through her herbs. Lia watched her friend work at the long gouged table, grinning at the crystal wedged underneath one of the legs. Cosmos’ contribution to her apothecary station.
A small window just above showed a glimpse of the outside world. Of falling stars. Of a sky on fire.
“What’s happening out there?” her brother whispered, a tremor in his voice. He tried to be so brave all the time, but war was scary.
“Destruction,” she answered. Nausea rose quickly behind the words, the scent of burning flesh in her nose.
Dahlia bent in half, her head between her knees, and retched. Nothing came up. There wasn’t anything left in her body. Cosmos rubbed her back in small slow circles as she straightened. Her head was light as she tried to sit up. She leaned her aching cheek against Cosmos’ bony shoulder.
“You’re not soft enough,” she grouched.
She felt more than saw his laughter. “I’ve gotten bigger though.”
“True.” He continued to grow. It was the bane of her existence. Constantly, she was trading for new clothes. Between food and clothing they’d be destitute in no time. It was a blessing they were traveling to Fierre next. The sandy, warm kingdom didn’t require so much clothing.
Loshika bustled back to them and knelt, her lips pinched. “You can’t keep doing this to yourself.”
Lia tried to shrug, but it hurt too much. “It wasn’t as if I tried to get hurt. I was almost smashed by one of the rocks. I’m lucky I only hit my head.”
Thenonnaegrowled. “It’s more than a head injury. I can smell burned flesh and blood all over you. You’re a mess.”
“But I’m alive.”For now.
Another shriek went through the air, followed by a loud thud, their home shuddering. She glanced up at the ceiling as dust drifted down from the beams above. That wasn’t good.
“We need to move to the bathing room,” Loshika said. “It offers the most protection.”
Cosmos stood and pulled Dahlia to her feet.
The room spun, and she blinked slowly, the world going out of focus.
There was something important she needed to tell them. She frowned and reached for her clammy forehead. What was it?
Her brother hustled them into the bathroom and into the crystal shower stall. Her body began to tremble and shake as they sat on the cold floor.
Cold like it had been on the ground beneath Felix.
Cold like the dread she’d felt when Olwen appeared.
That was it!
“Lo,” she slurred.
Loshika entered after them with a lantern and then closed the door. The healer knelt, and Lia tried to focus on her face, but it was too fuzzy.
Darkness then rushed up to greet her.
“They’re here,” Lia managed to whisper as the darkness finally claimed her.
Chapter Seventeen
Neve
