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“I can talk to her after I drop off this little guy. And then I will go help Edvar.”

Iryana nodded. Her clan had been up late making sure the villagers were safe, and were still up far before the sun. It would be a waste of breath to tell anyone in her clan to rest or take a break.

They all needed to let loose, to look forward to the festival and the celebration. But Iryana couldn’t help worrying they wouldn’t be able to keep the war a secret until then.

The earthquake felt like a warning that terrible things were coming.

Two days passed and Iryana’s clan was still working hard at recovering from the earthquake. Everything that needed to be taken care of as soon as possible and the bigger projects were all done, but it felt like there were hundreds of small tasks on top of their usual chores and the festival prep. There were only three more days until the last moonless night of the year.

Vesima had told Iryana that the earthquake was likely natural, that there was no reason to cause a panic when there wasn’t anything they could do yet, regardless. They were still waiting for responses to the letters Iryana had sent. So far, no one had questioned the earthquake.

Slipping into Hadima’s workroom, Iryana pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders against the particularly cold evening. Her older sister was hunched around her river-blue forged mortar and pestle, grinding something inside.

Iryana had been busy helping with repairs and cleaning up the mess caused by the earthquake, but she had some free time now that she hoped to take advantage of. Hadima hadn’t been in the hall for dinner, and Iryana missed her.

“Do you want to help make candies?” Iryana asked her sister. “It’ll be fun.”

“Of course!” Hadima said, but her voice sounded off. “I just have to…”

Hadima looked around the room, and Iryana noticed her hair was a mess, her eyes frantic.

Iryana tried to take back her request. “It’s okay, we have enough candies. I can make a few by myself.” She hadn’t realized how overwhelmed her sister was.

“No, no. I want to help.”

Iryana looked closer at her sister, grabbing her shoulder to turn her around. “Hadima, are you sleeping?”

There were dark circles under her eyes, and she looked pale. More so than usual.

“When I have time. There’s only three more days until the festival and we’re still dealing with the earthquake,” Hadima explained. “There’s so much to do.”

Iryana should have been keeping a closer eye on her sister.

“Maybe you should take the night off—get some sleep.”

“I have to finish this bruise cream for Uncle Byorsh, and then I’m watching Anara because Tonhald is on shift and Teshya has work to do.” Hadima was pacing around her workshop frantically now. “I told Kladara I’d help her with her festival dress and—”

Iryana stopped her sister, squeezing her shoulders.

“I’ll watch Anara and deal with Kladara’s dress—”

“You can’t sew that well,” Hadima argued.

“I’ll find someone else to do it who isn’t about to collapse from exhaustion.”

“I’m not—”

“Hadima.”

Her sister slumped. “Fine. I just… I don’t want to let anyone down. I want everyone to enjoy the festival.”

Iryana hugged her sister. “You need to take care of yourself.” And because Hadima was still tense, she added, “Everyone will still love you, even if you don’t help them. Remember what might be coming for us. You need to stay well-rested and well-cared for at all times. That’s the most important thing you can do for the clan, okay?”

Hadima finally relaxed, slumping with resignation. “Okay.”

“I’ll get you food. You’re going to eat it all, and then go to bed. Uncle Byorsh can deal with a few bruises for one more night.”

Hadima tried to argue, but Iryana ignored her and headed to the kitchen for leftovers. She needed Hadima to take care of herself, not just for the reasons she’d given, but ensuring Hadima was well was a way to make up for all the pain Iryana had caused her.