Chapter 35
“M...Merrin, what are you doing here?” I asked, trying to sit up, but my body betrayed me. My limbs felt as though they were encased in lead, and I could barely move my head to look at her.
My tutor looked as she always did. Her long, thick ash-blonde hair was braided and cascaded over one shoulder, her green eyes filled with compassion.
She moved to sit on the bed beside me and clutched hold of my hand.
“I’m here with Zoe for the monthly supply run,” she said softly. “And I’m glad too because I have no idea how I’d have gotten away from the academy if Joan had called me to tell me what happened.”
“Where is Zoe?” I asked, and this time I did manage to sit up. The knowledge of my friend’s presence offered a strength to my limbs that lasted only a few seconds, allowing me to prop myself up against the headboard.
Archer was sitting on a chair beside the bed, but there was no sign of Zoe, Grandma Joan or Mathew.