Beside me, Elva yawned. “I’m tired, Mommy.”
I immediately crouched down beside her. I touched my hand to her forehead, but I didn’t feel a fever. Still, my nerves were frayed and I couldn’t help but worry. “Do you feel hot?”
“No. Just sleepy.” She rubbed at one eye.
I hated to leave early. We really needed this victory to stay in the competition. The stakes were so much higher now that I knew the underground organization had their sights on me and Elva. The minute we stepped foot off the palace grounds, we’d likely be snatched up.
But I couldn’t chance Elva’s health. She’d been doing so well since she started receiving regular treatments. I wouldn’t dare risk taking her heath any steps in the wrong direction.
“Honey, do you want to go –”
“There you are, Piper.”
A shiver rattled my b
