Her head lolled against his chest as he carried her through the corridors, her breath warm against his neck. The guards they passed raised their eyebrows but said nothing.
“Mom?” Bianca mumbled suddenly, still deep in sleep. “Is that you?”
Isaac froze, his steps faltering.
“Mom, you have to meet the baby,” she continued, her words slurring together. “You’d love them so much. You’d be such a good grandmother...”
A lump formed in Isaac’s throat. Bianca’s face scrunched slightly, her fingers clutching at his shirt.
“Don’t go,” she whispered. “Stay this time. Please stay.”
Isaac swallowed hard, continuing his journey back to her chambers. Her sleep-talking continued in broken fragments—pleas for her mother to stay, promises about the baby, even a few fearful murmurs abo
