Helene shook her head briskly. "It's not. I would know. I delivered her myself. No, Consort -- that's the mark of the Goddess Umbra," she said, confirming his fears.
He swallowed nervously. "What does it mean?"
Helene shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not a priestess."
The healer and Consort stayed silent for a while. Caelum stared at Zardria's face, which was relaxed and made her look younger. Innocent.
What are you hiding from me, Zee?
Eventually the healer turned from the Empress and addressed Caelum directly again. "Give her fluids, if you can get her to take any. Keep her hydrated. There's no lasting damage, so far as I can tell, so Goddesses willing, she'll wake up. But as I said -- I'm no priestess."
Caelum rose to shake Helene's hand gratefully. "Thank you, Healer. Do you think Um
