Chapter 18 Of Blood, Bone, And Curses

• [XENA]
• I’m curled on the floor, spine pressed against the bedframe, arms wrapped around the trembling weight in my lap. Vera whimpers against my chest, her tiny body shaking, but I hold her tighter, shielding her with everything I have left.
• Blood trickles warm down my cheek. My ribs scream each time I breathe. Oriel’s kicks still echo through my bones, but I grit my teeth and refuse to let a sound escape me. I won’t give either of them the satisfaction.