CHAPTER 25
Kaspian sat at the edge of the bed. His parents’ room was as stifling hot as it had been before, and the stench of herbs just as overpowering. Mama knelt at the bedside, Tata’s hand in hers.
His vision was returning, slowly. He could make out blurred shapes and more color, but he didn’t need to see Tata to know this really was the end. Each breath was a wheeze, and he could not even raise his hand from the blanket.
“Sabina?” Tata rasped, and then coughed.
“I’m here, don’t worry. I’m here now.” She brushed the hair from his eyes.
He took a rattling breath. “I”—he gasped—“should have done”—another gasp—“better by you.”
“Hush, don’t.” Mama leaned in, stroking Tata’s face gently.
“Kaspian?” Tata’s unfocused gaze looked around the room.
Kaspian moved in closer, so Tata wouldn
