Chapter 9
THE GUARDS WAITED patiently in the hall downstairs to take Lana back to the Mother’s House. The first thing she did was go upstairs and swap those horrible clothes for a more comfortable outfit.
Next she decided to wash the oil and jelly and other substances off her body in the bath.
Selwa came to join her while she sat there. She had brought a carafe of juice and two glasses.
“Sorry, no wine. You’re not getting any until the day you give birth.”
“You seem to be certain of that.” She thought of Nashi’s seeds.
“You’re strong and healthy. You’ll be expecting soon.”
Lana sipped from the juice, thinking of the seeds that Nashi had given her and she faithfully bit in two and swallowed every three days. “I’m half-Perian. They have bad infertility problems in Peria.”
“Your mothe
