She slept like the dead that night.
And then she felt like the dead the next morning.
Every muscle in her body ached, a deep, throbbing pain that made even the simplest movement a Herculean effort. She felt as though she'd been run over by a carriage, then backed over again for good measure.
Serves her right for overdoing it, she supposed. She had pushed herself too hard, trying to make up for lost time, trying to prove a point that wasn't even true. And now her body was making her pay the price.
Fiadh fussed over her as she helped her dress, her touch gentle but firm as she laced up the back of Rache's gown. "You should have told me you were going to work so hard, Your Highness. I would have prepared a bath for you, some oils to soothe your muscles..."
Rache winced as the maid pulled the laces tight, the constriction of the corset doing little to help her aching ribs. "It's fine," she murmured, trying to keep the grimace from her face. "I'll be fine after a bit of rest."
