"Drink this, Mother." Zelena said softly, handing a drink to the ailing woman.
"Thank you, dear." She breathed raggedly, taking a sip before falling back against the rough sheets as she put a trembling hand on her daughter's cheek. "I'll miss you."
Tears welled in crystal eyes as Zelena clutched her in desperation. "Don't say that, Mother. I promised you'd get better."
A sad smile formed, the thin hand slowly relaxing its grip. "I love you, Zelena, remember that. You're my precious daughter."
Hours passed as night fell, bending its gracious folds around the sobbing young woman and her dead mother.