Theora's fever kept her confined to bed for a long time. She experienced strange nightmares, some waking her in a sweat, some seemingly intensifying the pain in her arm, and others making her cry in her sleep. Fortunately, she couldn't remember most of the details, only that she kept seeing the faces of her mom, Lanrey, and Selvie, reliving the ball scene like a nightmare on repeat. It was hard to tell how much time had passed, as it always seemed dark and rainy whenever she blinked awake. Most of the time, her father was there, as promised, with a cool hand to soothe her burning skin, and water and medicine to help fight off the fever. A couple of times, she woke up to a maid or two washing the sweat off her body with a cold towel. Other times, she heard voices, whispers that always inclu
