Chapter 26

Jovie drifts through vivid, disorienting fever dreams—a rain-soaked kitchen, her mother’s voice, and a wildflower crown—before jolting awake on the forest floor. She vomits and struggles with vertigo as Acker tends her, explaining the saigon root caused hallucinations meant to blunt the agony of her awakening.

Assessing herself, Jovie notes the pain has lessened though she remains weak. In contrast, Acker appears invigorated by being on land—healthier, steadier, and more focused. He informs her their boat capsized south of their position, attracting attention to the coastline and forcing them to travel farther inland than planned.

Blue perches on Acker’s shoulder and scouts the perimeter, signaling a tenuous truce between bird and healer in service of their safety. Despite Jovie’s reluctance to be helpless or drugged, Acker insists more leaves will help manage her pain for the trek ahead.

Jovie resists, nips Acker’s finger in defiance, and glares, but Acker answers with a cool smile and doses her anyway. As the sedative takes hold, Jovie surrenders to sleep without fear, while Acker prepares to move her inland before any drawn attention reaches them.