Lyra POV
“The most important thing is that you don’t say anything,” Wilder says. “You can talk to me—quietly—if you have questions during the ceremony. But don’t try to speak to Regine, and definitely don’t speak to any of the women who are receiving their blessings tonight.”
I nod.
We’re up on the roof a little early, waiting for the ceremony to begin. A few women are already milling around the rooftop garden, and Regine is here too.
“How many of them are getting blessings?” Milo asks.
“All of them,” Wilder says.
“They’re all pregnant?”
“No,” he says. “Some of them are pregnant. Others are hoping to enhance their fertility. So you’ll see two different blessings performed tonight.”
“Does it work?” I ask.
“What do you mean?” Wilder asks.
“I mean… Well, babies aren’t being born he
