Book 3: Blessing or Curse

Candace

Two days later, Ingrid chatters about a music discussion she had with some Lilywind noble as she, Finn, and I head to the rejuvenation ritual. I want to listen. I really do. But my eyelids droop, my muscles burn, and it’s taking all my concentration to keep my skirt from dragging in the mud after last night’s rain.

Every night, I have the dream. Sometimes more than once. Every night, it’s the same, and it always wakes me up. Between that and my burning mark, I’m surprised I’m getting any sleep at all. At least the cool, slightly misty air makes it unpleasant enough out here that I’m at no real risk of falling asleep.

We take our usual places behind Raven, Estrella, and now Kieran at the center of the crowd. Kieran holds the jug. Magic exhaustion slows Estrella’s limbs, and Raven looks like she’s about to pop. Yet another companion to my late, lonely nights are her soft groans from the tent nearby as she struggles to get comfortable around