Page 74 of Ravenrose

Nadia stands in the doorway. Her arms are empty.

She scans the street with panic in her eyes. The second her eyes find me, she waves me over, the motion frantic. The dark circles under her eyes are more pronounced this morning. She must not have slept last night either. Tear tracks stain her cheeks.

Stones, I have to look away. I’ve seen countless horrors in battle, and I’ve seen even worse before, but dead children…

That is something I don’t think I will ever get used to. Refuse to, more like.

Steeling myself, I lift my chin, preparing to look the poor woman in the eye.

“I’m so⁠—”

“Please,” she interrupts, rushing down the steps. “Please, can you send someone for more milk? We’re out of goat’s milk.”

I blink. Unsure what to say in response.

She shifts anxiously from foot to foot, already half turned back toward the cottage.

“We need more for the tonic,” she says impatiently. “Please.”

I can only stare at her.

“Milk?”

She glares at me. “Yes. Milk,” she enunciates more clearly.

I gape at her. “I... Yes, of course. I’ll send someone. Your baby…” I hesitate. “Is she…?” I can’t quite make myself ask the question.

For the first time since opening the door, Nadia goes completely still. Understanding dawns on her face. Without a word, she reaches forward, grabbing my arm and pulling me inside. Pressing a finger to her lips, she gestures toward the cradle just beside the hearth.

My stomach knots. Slowly, reluctantly, I look over the edge.

Josi lies bundled within a thick wrapping of furs and blankets… asleep. Breathing. A bit of color has returned to her face. Her cheeks are a rosy pink—a far cry from the ghostly pale from last night. Not red either. But pink.

“The fever broke overnight,” Nadia whispers, softly stroking her daughter’s cheek. Her voice cracks. “She’s eating, for the first time in days. I thought—I thought we were going to lose her. I was so afraid.” Tears spring loose at the whispered admission.

I can hardly believe this is the same baby. I remember the tiny, frail infant from last night, and this baby—this baby looks fine… healthy even.

Remembering herself, Nadia moves swiftly to the table, picking up an empty pitcher. “We ran out of tonic late last night. She drank all of it.” She turns back toward me, clutching the pitcher to her chest like it’s a lifeline. “We need more for this morning. Could you send someone for milk?”

She’s nearly begging, but I can’t stop staring at the little baby in the bassinet. As if sensing my gaze, Josi’s eyelids flutter gently until bright blue eyes blink lazily open. They find me above and slowly widen, the dark ink on my neck instantly fascinating. Josi coos and then smiles. The expression on her face is innocent—amused. As if the look of utter disbelief on my face is the funniest thing she’s ever seen.

Clearing my throat, I straighten, lifting my gaze to find Nadia.

“Yes,” I say. “I’ll send someone straight away.”

Relief floods Nadia’s features.

“Thank you,” she exhales shakily, lowering herself onto the bed to sit. Her older child still sleeps tucked beneath the blankets.

“You should rest,” I tell her, backing toward the door. “It’s been a long night. I’ll send someone with the milk.”

She offers me a weary smile. “Thank you. Truly. And thank her for me, will you please? We owe her everything.”

My jaw tightens, and I offer back a stiff nod before stepping outside.

My gaze goes immediately to the post.

She’s awake.