The Azimar Archives Book One- The Book of Death

Nevina

Nevina was asleep when a small hand gently shook her shoulder. She awoke enough to wave the hand away, then buried her face deeper into her pillow. Another shake, this one rougher, more impatient. Nevina growled into her pillow, and instantly regretted it. Her head ached, and she realized her stomach was very queasy. Then, suddenly, the covers were ripped off of her, her pillow yanked from under her head, and several hands shoved her with enough force to send her rolling and squealing to the floor.

Nevina moaned softly as she lifted herself off of the floor and forced her eyes open. She quickly shut her eyes again, wishing the light would stop making her head feel like a half-split melon. She laid her head gently on the bed, eyes still closed, too weak to actually get to her feet. "Who the hell did that?" Her voice was hoarse and her throat dry.

"I did." A girl's voice, much too loud for her sensitive ears.

Nevina opened her eyes again, surveyed the room in an instant, and shut them again just as quickly. The room was empty, save for one girl, Layle. There was no one else.

"Just you? You've been working on that spell I taught you. You seemed to have mastered it well, though I'm not sure how intelligent it was to use it on me on this particular morning." To herself, she added, if I ever see Areanath again, I might just kill him for making me drink so much last night. And she thought of Areanath, and regretted her words.

Layle sighed. "I called your name, and tried waking you, but you wouldn't answer."

"Please don't shout."

"I'm not shouting."

"Then please whisper."

Layle sighed again.

Nevina, still keeping her eyes closed, pulled herself back onto the bed, lying on her back. "Water." She held out a hand weakly, and Layle gently forced a glass into her hand and helped her guide it to her lips. Nevina drank, but it wasn't water. The concoction was thick, with a bitter aftertaste, but it settled over her stomach and soothed her head almost instantly.

Finally, Nevina opened her eyes. She looked down at the glass in her hand. It was still half-filled with a milky liquid. "What is this?"

A light flush rose to Layle's cheeks. "It's the medicine I take when I have my woman's blood. I made it myself. I also added some of those leaves you sometimes use for migraines. I thought they might help. Is it working?"

Nevina took another sip of the formula. Aside from the taste, it was wonderful. Nevina could feel the pain in her head melt away, replaced with a slight giddiness. "You might have used too many leaves, but yes, it's very good. You did well." She squeezed Layle's hand gently. "Remind me when we get back home, and I'll show you older girls how to fix it up a little better, and perhaps make it taste a little less like medicine, and more like a refreshment." Layle nodded, taking the empty glass from her. Nevina pulled herself up into a sitting position. "How are the other girls?" Her voice was still hoarse.

Layle hesitated before answering quietly. "Arella is fine, Matriarch."

Nevina frowned slightly. Layle was always able to see right through her. "She slept fine, then?" Arella was plagued with night terrors, and often woke in the middle of the night, screaming. Nevina and Layle were the only ones who could comfort her.

"Like a princess." Layle smiled, but Nevina could tell it wasn't entirely genuine.

Nevina frowned again, setting the glass aside. She took both of Layle's hands in her own. "Thank you for caring for your sister so much." She squeezed the girl's hands gently again. "I know she can be trying at times, but she loves you, and she looks up to you." She brushed back a stray strand of blonde hair from Layle's face, trying to look through the girl's veil and into her eyes. Layle's eyes were such a piercing blue, they could be glimpsed even through her veil at times. "And I appreciate all that you're doing." Layle's cheeks flushed again.