‘Go to sleep, OK?’ Bisma said, going to tuck her in. When Bisma grew near, Mei threw her arms around Bisma, hugging her tight. Bisma held her close.
Mei was trembling. When she pulled back, Mei looked afraid.
‘Baji, why couldn’t you help Luna the same way you helped me?’ she asked quietly. ‘She doesn’t look fine.’
She was not accusing, she was merely curious and confused, but it was hard not to feel the words as a reproach.
‘We tried, sweet,’ Bisma said, tears pricking her eyes. She blinked them away. There wasn’t anything else to say. She kissed Mei goodnight, then blew out the candles.
Bisma went to Nori’s room, where she was in bed with her stuffed rabbit, the one she never slept without. Nori was holding it tight.
‘All ready to sleep?’ Bisma asked.
‘Is Lulu going to be alright?’ Nori asked.
‘Yes, of course,’ Bisma said, though she did not know for certain.
‘Arewegoing to be OK?’ Nori asked, nibbling on her bottom lip. Her blue eyes were clouded with worry.
‘Yes,’ Bisma said, brushing aside Nori’s blonde hair. ‘Always.’
But as she left Nori’s room, she wasn’t so sure about that either.
Bisma went across the hall to Azalea’s room, where Azalea was sitting cross-legged on her bed, fiddling with her hair.
‘Go to sleep, OK?’ Bisma said.
Azalea looked at her, dark eyes slitted. ‘I don’t think Luna’s fine,’ she said. ‘What even happened? How did she get poisoned? Who did this?’
Bisma’s heart all but stopped at the accusation in her sister’s tone.
‘I–I don’t know,’ she said, her voice halting. ‘I’m sorry.’ What else could she say? ‘I’m doing the best I can, Azalea.’
‘Well, it’s not good enough!’ Azalea snapped, then stopped, surprised by her own words. She quickly got into bed, pulling the covers over her and turning her back.
‘Azalea—’ Bisma started.
‘Goodnight,’ she replied curtly.
Tears bubbled in Bisma’s eyes, falling down her cheeks, but there was no one to see. She went up to Luna’s room to check how she was faring, but Luna was already asleep, which was good. Sleep would help.
After checking on the girls, Bisma went down to the garden. She made a strengthening potion, then grew something for the pain, and took both up to Luna’s bedside table, leaving a note with instructions beside them.
Then there was nothing left to do. Bisma should have gone to sleep herself, but she knew sleep would not come despite how drained she was.
She went back outside, walking through the dark woods, letting her feet take her. As she walked, she listened to the sounds of the birds and crickets and frogs; she wasn’t alone, but she felt so terribly lonely.
Thoughts swam around in her mind. Would Luna truly be OK? The poison was out of her, but Bisma was afraid Luna had been permanently affected by the experience.
Bisma ended up by Mirror Lake, the water a glistening black as it reflected the moon above. Bisma took off her shoes and clothes—thankfully the dress was much easier to undo than it had been to lace up—and waded into the lake, letting the calm waters fold over her. Though the night was cold, the magic of the Forest meant the water was always warm.
Bisma lay down, floating beneath the moonlight, staring up at the stars. Usually, such an exercise helped to soothe her, but tonight it hardly made a difference.
Sometime later, she dragged herself out of the lake. She did not wish to put Eleanora’s old dress back on; she remembered Xander’s firm hands lacing her up, and a shiver ran down her spine. She felt a dozen emotions sparking together inside her, and any moment now, she would burst into flames.
Luckily, the Forest had anticipated her needs and brought out clothes and a towel for her. She dried herself, then slipped on the thick, soft nightgown, relishing the cozy, comfortable fabric.
Bisma returned home, where everyone was sound asleep. She tiptoed up to her room, lighting a candle and pulled out a piece of paper.
