Summary

The rain continues in Chapter 18, and the sisters are further busy repairing leaks and mold outbreaks in their hive. Even Devotion seems dampened by the moisture. With nothing left to do, the sisters take to gossiping in the canteens. Flora herself is exhausted and tense, particularly from holding her thoughts closed all of the time, trying to keep the secret and scent of her egg away from her sisters. In the midst of the downtime Flora feels the quickening of her abdomen again. Determined to be prepared this time, she finds the Chapel of Wax so that she can make her egg a hidden wax crib.

In Chapter 19, the bees that make wax are happy to see Flora and teach her their craft. The sisters there liken wax production to prayer, and so lead Flora in a process of devotion. Flora makes wax...