“You don’t owe me anything, Maera.”
Lillia smiled softly. Though the ache beneath her skin never truly faded.
She reached for Kyla and Selene, taking their hands in hers, grounding herself to their warmth. Her gaze drifted over each of her maidens, lingering where once there had only been distance.
“Thank you,” Lillia said quietly. “All of you. For staying. For taking care of me.” She hesitated, the next words catching in her throat. “And… please. Call me Ish—” She stopped herself immediately, then corrected gently, “Lillia.”
Kyla blinked, her eyes shining brightly as if the name itself were a gift she’d been waiting to receive. She wiped her cheeks and smiled widely, her actions carefree and unguarded. “Lillia,” Kyla repeated easily, like it had always been hers to say.
Selene’s li
