Elara's POV
After Samuel left, I slept harder than I had in years. No crisis waiting for me. No trouble on the horizon. Just quiet, steadier than anything I'd felt in a long time.
Fiona called me down for dinner after dark. Mia was already at the table, grinning up at me. "Mom, does my new daddy make you feel safe?"
I nodded, running my fingers through her soft hair. "What about you, Mia? Does Samuel make you feel safe?"
She nodded back. "I like him being my daddy. Back at White Moon, I was always scared Lily would steal Daddy again. Scared Grandma and Auntie would go back to being mean to us. Scared Daddy would get mad at me for not being as smart as Lily. I worried every single day. But not anymore." She looked up at me, dead earnest. "My new daddy isn't picky like that. He's gentle.
