Melody
The sun had fully risen by the time I made my way back to Zoraya’s chambers. I had barely slept the night before, choosing to watch over my daughter instead. Even now, exhaustion clung to my body, but I pushed it aside. There was no rest for a mother when her child was suffering.
I had left Zoraya’s side only briefly to freshen up, and now, as I neared her door, I hoped she had at least gotten some rest. But what truly weighed on my mind was Axel.
He had returned to her.
That, at least, was a good sign.
Still, I couldn’t ignore the pain in his eyes from our last conversation—the pain of discovering that his long-lost mate carried another man’s child. It was not an easy burden to bear, and I did not blame him for walking away in the moment.
But I prayed he would stay.
As I ste
