Chapter 22
Esme woke to the sound of Lillian’s voice, floating up from below. The threads of everyday life tugged at her, but Esme lay still for a while, tangled up in her fading dreams, letting the music wash over her. Then reality barged back in. She put the pillow over her head and groaned.
The last few notes of Lillian’s song ended, followed by the sound of feet coming up the stairs, and a tap on the door.
‘Morning,’ said Lillian, peeping around the side. ‘How are you feeling? Do you still want to go to the dragon festival today? I’ve got plenty of clothes you can borrow, if you’re worried about what to wear—with your leg the way it is.’
Esme threw back the covers and checked her leg. The infection was slowly, but surely, abating. The itching, too, seemed to have died down for now.
