Are You Real?

Ash caught my elbow. "Zara, are you—"

"I'm fine, I'm fine. It's just my sore muscles. I'm fine."

Mother Estow frowned. She'd stopped to watch me. "Are you quite well, Zara? I could ask the King if we can change your time—"

"No!" I said, too loudly. Ash's head jerked back and Mother Estow's brows rose. I licked my lips and swallowed back nausea. "I'm sorry. I was just… no, that won't be necessary. I'm… I'll be fine. Please."

Mother Estow glanced at Ash. I don't know what he did because I was too busy watching her. But in the end she just gave a little shake of her head and turned back up the hallway. "The doors are just here. I'll encourage the King to allow you to sit as much as possible."

"It's fine. I'm fine. Don't bother him with it."

"Zara," Ash started, but I shook my head.

"I just need to talk to him."