Niall forgot, however, that CJ herself was also very important to all of us. And relinquishing a wild spirit such as hers to the command of the Femmes of the Fortress, women who had given up all worldly possessions and desires to put maximum effort into reshaping young girls…it would not do.

I took the papers and refolded them, stuffing them under my pillow.

“But Aurelie, I can do it!” CJ whined. “Those old ladies can’t be worse than Isther The Intimidator and Foppy Poppy.”

I shook my head. Not only would CJ suffer at the hands of the Femmes, but she would not be able to endure the way the Fortress treated their pyres. All muzzles and beatings, and no reprieve for moonlit expressions. I could not subject my younger cousin to such torture.

Though I could not help but sigh when I realized I reminded myself very much of my Vincent, who said no only when it was his fear he faced.

Episode 100: Wounds Mended At Last And A Date With A Pyre

When the night fell and my human comrades left my side, Rosemary came in through the open window.

<<Enough time has been spent on your recovery. Now, I have special light for you, My Strange>>, she intended, landing on the floor beside my bed without effort. She revealed a lovely purple flower and had me sit up, which I refused to admit still caused me a bit of pain. <<You must hold the petals on your tongue. I have spoken to them, and they are willing to heal you>>. She kissed my forehead. <<The moon is in them now>>.

Oh, the world of pyres. Foreign and mystical and always slipping through my understanding, like the milky glow of the moon through my fingers. I received the petals and held them on my tongue, amazed at how my spine stiffened and my muscles pulled taut in immediate response.

<<Breathe, silly girl>>, Rosemary meant. <<Do not hold it in. It’s meant to go through you>>.

I did as she said and breathed out the light. My muscles shivered and released, both heat and cool knitting the last of my wounds until the pain vanished along with the petals.

<<Are you well enough for an adventure>>? Rosemary reached out to unravel my braid.

There was nothing I wanted more than to escape the bondage of my bed and flee the confining walls of the Rennington Manor for a night.

<<He waits for you>>, she intended. But then she paused and put her hand to my chin in a gesture of affection. <<You must know, you must begin to understand…how dangerous it is. How perilous to be with him. Our Sleeping pyre’s warnings are not to be forsaken. The more your veins open to him, the more you risk yourself>>. She finished unweaving my fair hair and ran her fingers through it. <<But still, you want him>>.