Finally, Mei’s veins lightened, the dark blue color leaving them almost entirely. Warmth returned to her fawn-toned skin. She coughed, then groaned.
‘Mei, honey, it’s Baji,’ Bisma said, rubbing her arms. ‘Can you open your eyes?’
Slowly, Mei blinked, then opened her eyes. Her dark eyes took in the sight of all her sisters; her face furrowed with confusion.
‘What happened?’ she asked, her voice hoarse.
The girls looked at each other, then to Bisma.
The problem was Bisma didn’t know either. And she wassupposedto know.
‘You fell,’ Bisma said, not wanting to worry Mei.
She controlled the narrative; if she panicked, then the other girls would, too. Bisma forced a smile as Mei looked back at her.
‘Oh,’ Mei said, trying to smile. ‘How silly.’
‘Yes,’ Bisma said, forcing a smile on to her own face as well. ‘Very silly.’
‘It’s so cold,’ Mei said, snuggling close to Bisma, who wrapped her arms tight around the nine-year-old.
Her skin was still icy, though not as freezing as before. The cure-all may have worked for now, but it hadn’t solved the root of the problem. Bisma could still see the remnants of the poison inside Mei; her veins still bulged slightly, and they were darker than they should have been.
‘What—’ Bisma began, but she stopped when Mei yawned.
‘I’m so sleepy,’ Mei said. She leaned heavily against Bisma.
‘Let’s get you to sleep, then,’ Bisma said. She would have to ask her questions later to uncover what exactly had caused such a reaction, what Mei had eaten or touched.
‘Come on,’ Azalea said, helping lift Mei to her feet. As much as the dramatic twelve-year-old complained about chores, when it counted, she was there for her sisters. Bisma gave Azalea a grateful smile.
They guided Mei to her room, Luna trailing behind them with Nori and Deeba. Mei’s room was neat and clean, her desk covered with herbs set out to dry. Above them hung ribbons in various shades, ribbons she used when doing up any of her sisters’ hair.
Bisma helped Mei settle in her bed, then tucked her in with blankets.
‘Do you need anything?’ she asked, sitting beside her.
Mei languidly shook her head, eyes already drooping closed. A few moments later, Mei fell asleep, her breathing soft but steady.
The other girls still seemed worried, so Bisma gave them all a reassuring smile, pulling Nori close to her, stroking her blonde curls.
‘Everything is alright,’ Bisma said, forcing herself to sound bright as she led them out of Mei’s room. ‘Who’s hungry? Let’s get ready for dinner.’
‘I’m starving,’ Luna said, helping Bisma break the tension.
‘Weren’t you just reading poetry?’ Azalea said, arching a brow.
Luna gave Azalea a confused look. ‘What precisely is your point?’
‘Aren’t you always going on about how you could justliveoff books?’
Luna scoffed. ‘I was being hyperbolic.’
‘Riiight.’
Bisma laughed, and the other girls followed suit, giggling. The tension dissipated from the room as they busied themselves with setting the table. Azalea had been helping Mei with dinner tonight, and it was a dish of soft cheese drizzled with honey, a fresh loaf of bread, and a salad with dried cranberries, nuts, and sweet potatoes.
As they ate, Bisma’s thoughts strayed to Mei, who thankfully slept peacefully. If she had been disturbed, or her condition grew worse, Bisma knew the Forest would alert her.
