Chapter 16
“Wake up.” Neeve prodded my side, and I groaned, trying to roll away from her.
I fetched up against the clammy side of the tent and reluctantly opened my eyes. Wan light filtered through the fabric. The new day was at hand.
“A little more sleep,” I pleaded, pulling her empty pillow over my face.
“No.” She grabbed the pillow away. “I’ve already let you lie abed too long. Sit up, Rose. The monarchs are about to meet in the clearing, and you must be there.”
Her words were a cold douse of water, bringing me fully awake. I sat, blinking, and pushed my hair out of my face. It smelled of wood smoke, and my mouth felt gritty.
“Here.” Neeve thrust a bannock at me, and a mug of tea.
“Thank you,” I said, belatedly realizing that she had, indeed, let me sleep past breakfast.
While I
