Kayla had already left the room with the herbs basket. As I tended to Lia, who was now resting peacefully, a sudden pang shot through my abdomen, sharp and unexpected. It was the same as before, only that this was more sharp and painful.
I winced, pressing a hand against the lower part of my belly. I had just finished caring for Lia, and though she seemed to be sleeping soundly, the pain in my own body refused to ease.
I moved slowly toward the small table beside my bed, where I kept a stash of pills. My hands were slightly trembling as I picked up the bottle and shook two into my palm. A glass of water sat nearby, and I took a few gulps, swallowing the pills quickly, hoping for some relief. But the pain didn’t lessen; it persisted, throbbing with a stubborn intensity that made it hard t
