Chapter 5

“How did your first night go with the baby?” Elowyn gave Seraphine a tired smile.

They were sitting on the soft grass close to the water’s edge, and she lifted her face to the sun. The days were growing cooler, but it still felt good to be in the outdoors. They had bathed in the lake and washed their clothing, and Elowyn couldn’t get over how much better she felt after having her long hair and body scrubbed clean for the first time in months.

“He has a fever. And he threw up nearly everything I fed him in the night,” Seraphine said worriedly.

“He always has a fever,” Mirella said. “He rarely eats without throwing it up.”

She kissed Theo, who was lying wanly on his back on Seraphine’s lap, before looking at Seraphine.

“Can I play in the water?”

“Yes, love, but you must stay where I can see you at all times and you must not go any deeper than your knees. Do you understand?”

Mirella nodded and skipped down to the water’s edge. They watched as s