CHAPTER SEVENThe Queen's Cull
I woke as before. The rocky ceiling flew above me, vaulted and dark, lit by the flickering of a candle flame. I heard the crackling of a fire and sensed the heat along one side of my body. I twitched the fingers of my right hand, remembering the pain of my left and too afraid to test it for movement. The fingers shifted in obedience and I held my breath, extending my will over wrist and elbow. All muscles and tendons obeyed and the dizzying surge of relief pushed into my chest. At least one arm worked as intended.
Whispers echoed around me, an eerie passing of silken sounds and I opened my eyes. The air moved as Lily bounced into my view and her lips parted in a smile. “She lives!” she cried, far too loud for my waking ears. I winced and tried to nod. “It is
