I don’t remember falling unconscious, so when I wake, shrouded in darkness, I’m seized with panic. Something woke me. I’m in the infirmary, the shadows of nearby empty beds telling me that. The window near my bed allows creamy beams of moonlight to flood in, alighting the area so I can see the dried blood on my skin and on the sheets. Attempting to sit up, I wince, a harsh feeling rattling on the inside of my head, my vision erupting with bright colours and spots of black. A sharp pain in my stomach causes me to lay back down, my hands resting on the tender spot as I breathe the pain, trying not to let it overcome me. I’ve lost a lot of blood. I’m not even sure I should be alive right now. 

Time feels as though it’s passing at a strange rate. Over the past few weeks, I haven’t had anymore bleeding. I’ve spent every night being walked to my room by Tai, who would linger at the door frame, ensuring my safety, then return in the morning. The healers still have no idea how I’ve managed to escape death, and I’ve avoided sharing how with Tai. He’s got enough on his plate recently, he doesn’t need this as well. I lean against the window sill in my room, noting the gloomy weather outside. Low cloud lingers across the top of the forest, crawling through the foliage toward the estate. Somewhere in the distance, Vaia and Marek are living their lives oblivious to what is happening with me. 

I go to follow Tai and the guards downstairs, where I know they are going to take Marek, but with one look down my body, I realise I need to change.  Shuddering with all the adrenaline pumping through my body, I shove some leggings onto my legs, and tear off my night dress, replacing it with a normal shirt. A million thoughts are flowing through my mind, questions that have no answers driving me nearly mad. Marek just handed himself in, giving himself over to Tai and Kailor like it means nothing to him. He has to have another plan… All of the lights are dim, the hour of night stretching into very early morning. I stride down the stairs, circling around and around, heading toward the cells. There are only two cells total down there, and the condition of them is repulsive. My stomach twists as a tangy smell wafts up the sta

~Akara  Nurses, not accompanied by Tai, helped me back up to my room. There’s not much they can do for me, but with a few remnants of Tani blood, I’ve been able to get myself to a point where the pain has gone away and I don’t feel as though I’m going to throw up at every second.  A knock sounds through the room, rousing me from my partial rest.  The door opens a crack, Tai looking through. I smile weakly at him, knowing that so much has transpired since I last saw him. I can't bring myself to be upset at him, not considering I’m on the verge of dying at every moment. I should be mad, I should yell at him and tell him he is the reason I threw up blood in the first place, and he should have known stress could do that to me

¬Akara  The sunlight bathes my back, warming my senses.  I had to get out of the manor. Even the chance of seeing Kailor in person makes me feel sick to my stomach, not to mention I’m still wary of Tai. He’s been avoiding talking about what happened with Marek, like he knows he is guilty of it, but doesn’t want to have to explain it. I’m blaming it on the stress we are all under, the desperation for this all to end...But I can’t help but wonder if it’s worth it, if I’m hoping once it’s done Tai will be back to normal again.  Wrapping my hand around a bunch of wildflower stems, I pick them, placing them in my wicker basket. This pretty meadow that flanks the estate is the only place I can get to witho