Lara’s POV
The lullaby wrapped around us like a gentle cocoon, my voice soft and melodic as I sang the old Frost Fang melody about the Moon Goddess watching over her stars. The children lay nestled against me on the oversized bed, their small bodies warm and finally relaxing after the ordeal.
As the last notes faded, I lingered, unwilling to move. The trauma of the kidnapping still haunted me—I kept expecting one of them to jolt awake, screaming, reliving the dark ritual or the witch’s draining touch. I brushed Maria’s hair back from her forehead, then stroked Caius’s cheek.
“I’ll stay right here,” I whispered. “You don’t have to be strong tonight. Mama’s got you.”
Maria cracked one eye open, then gave me the brightest, most reassuring smile I’d seen in days. “Mama, we’re okay. Really
