Chapter 84
Zeraphine's POV
The air felt heavier than it had moments ago.
I walked quickly, my grip firm on Alera and Nyra’s hands, their tiny fingers wrapped tightly around mine. They weren’t resisting, but I could feel their confusion, the weight of their unspoken questions pressing against me with every hurried step.
I should have been calmer. I should have handled that better. But hearing them say Dad—hearing them call Draven that—had sent a jolt of something sharp through me.
I didn’t stop until we were well away from the garden, the glow of the torches flickering along the stone paths as the evening deepened around us. Only then did I let out a slow breath, loosening my hold just slightly.
Alera was the first to speak. “Mama, why are you mad?”
I closed my eyes for half a secon
