54. Cold

When the small fire's last ember died, Nerdanel knew she should have gone to bed. Hours earlier, she ought to have gotten up from this now almost-warm spot and buried herself in the thick blankets of her bed in Indis's guest room in the hope that they could make her warm. Or if she could not warm herself with the blankets, hope to fall asleep and dream of those who used to make her life so warm.

But she cannot now get up; the fatigue that only comes from innumerable sleepless nights filled with worry and regret does not permit her to rise but forces her to stay, staring at the cold, dead ashes that had once been so alive, contemplating her cold, empty life that had once been so full.