May 10: "the night grows darker yet,"
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Kalasin doesn't sleep for her first few weeks in Carthak. She doesn't like the bed and sharing it is even more awkward. She doesn't know if her new husband is a light sleeper or not, and she doesn't want to disturb him. So she lies on her back, scarcely daring to breathe, watching the eerie shadows dance along the walls as the night goes by.
She imagines that she hears things, from the balcony. She imagines that there are eyes, glowing and glaring, from the shadows. She sees faces that flit around in the darkness.
Terrified, she hides her face in the pillows, trying to regulate her breathing and prays to the Goddess that she will fall asleep without nightmares.
Ozorne knows more than he lets on, and once, he asks her, as gently as he knows how, if a small orb of light in the corner of their room will help her feel better.
Blushing and wishing she could die, Kalasin stammers a polite refusal.
Later, as the night grows darker yet, she holds her pillow close, trying to keep herself from shaking. After a while, an arm descends on her, wrapping around her waist and holding her close until her breathing regulates.
For the first time since Kalasin came here, she feels safe.
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