Lion Head Mesa ask the angels: am i heaven-bound?

she had been ill all week.

tavina protested for further leniency on her behalf, a stoppage of nazli's work, and by now even the girl was against it.

she struggled to get through her days without feeling dizzy, or ravenous, or ill at the first mention of food; it was like she wanted everything and nothing within the same instant, and it was maddening. the worst of it came subliminally:

the stares, the whispers, feeling watched even when she knew she was alone.

in taking time to herself, finally, nazli followed a servant's path to the realm outside the palace and breathed the evening air, her eyes closed and skin trembling as her short perpetual-summer coat began to bristle.