via

c and the rhythmic beep of a monitor. I w

ooked down to find my left a

ke," a soft

ith a gentle demeanor that put everyone at ease. She h

my throat dry as sandp

ed tears. "The pup is fine, Luna. A strong heartbeat. The amniotic fluid protec

know I was holding. Tears of

a Michael... he came in while you were unconscious

sbelief coloring my tone.

curling in rare distaste. "He demanded the best healers attend

eper, severing the l

g the flare of pain in my arm. "Mara. I need y

hing,

e trembling but firm. "I need you to write that the

nd flying to her mo

lawing at my chest. "He plans to reject me and steal my child for her. I won't let

ed slowly, a steely resolve settling in her eyes. "I und

bit down on a leather strap, screaming silently as she peeled away the dead skin. The pain was

ael walked in. He looked disheveled,

nd, but I pulled it under the sheet before he could make con

d of emotion, hollowed out by the agon

e edge of the bed. "It happened so fas

mattered to you

. "Don't be like that. Serena is a guest. S

ting the word on my tongue

sharp and untrimmed, dug into his palm, drawing a bead of blood.

e said after a minute of awkward

g my head away. "Don

l

s the hospital wing fell quie

al voice was frantic. *A

er mental voice dripping with affectatio

. I'm hol

ring her room down the hall.

ghed. *You saved me.

. *I was so scared. When that soup fell...

baby?*

e can make another one. A better one. With you.

red. *But... I need

over my flat stomach where

r," he h

forced myself to stand. I walked to the window. The

red to the glass, my reflection looking back at m

g the thick, golden cord that connected me to Michael

pair of heavy

n

ired the ritual. But I walled it off. I built a

silent. The st

ime in years. And in that silence, I h

king up. And she was