“We didn’t know if you would want that. You were very upset when we gave you one in your sleep.”
I grit my teeth. “Give him one as soon as you can. He needs to heal faster.”
“If you want it done soon, he won’t be able to pick it, and neither will you,” she says. “You’re to stay in this room until you can walk without falling over.”
“I. Don’t. Care. I want him healed,” I insist, wincing in pain. It’s then that I remember they don’t know about who is growing inside of me.
Liana nods and tells Joso to fetch Ulla and have her get a stone. Then Melisa and Arlet are next to me, helping me to my feet.
“Can you walk?” Arlet asks, gently.
I nod as they support me underneath my arms. I feel how disgusting I smell, but they don’t so much as cast me a wayward glance. I look back to see Iryth and Liana take the babe.
“Be careful,” I call, and Iryth gives me an understanding smile.
“Of course, My Queen.”
Then I see Vann help Teo to his feet.
One by one, we are navigated to the baths, stripped and washed. Our small army of friends heal us, feed us—andgods, it makes my heart overrun with joy.
I never thought I would have more than Mikal and Arlet in my life.
And now…
I have a whole village.
When I sink back into sleep, I am cleaned, watered, fed, and… healed.
Whole.
Chapter 48
Topaz
ESTELA
It’s much later when a sound rouses me from my sleep.
“Este,” a parched voice says.
I bolt upright.
It takes a moment to realize I’m back in the king’s suite, and there is a baby basket hanging near the bed. The hallway between the king’s and queen’s suite is open.
I hear sound from the other room. I wish I could say that it doesn’t jerk the tears straight from my ducts, but it does.
“Miki,” I say, wiping away the moisture and nearly sprinting into the other room.
He’s propped up on the bed, clutching his sides. He looks awful, but he is clean and alive.
I rush to the bed.
“¿Qué pasó?Did you hurt something? Are you hungry again?” I ask in our language.
He smiles, and then coughs. “I… I am okay. Where am I?”
I take a deep breath. My mouth opens, but I don’t know how to explain everything to him. It’s been so long since wewere together.
