Claire’s POV

Elara’s magic pressed into me one last time, searching, before pulling back.

“Calm,” she murmured. “The spark is calm.”

My pulse steadied, and the relief untied the knot in my chest. I let out a slow breath and dropped my shoulders.

Damian stood two steps behind Elara. He’d kept quiet through the whole exam, but my eyes caught his bandaged hand. It hovered near my side—not touching, just close. Like his body hadn't accepted that the threat was over.

Elara snapped her satchel shut. “You need rest. Both of you.”

“I know,” I said.

But the second the baby's pulse settled, another heavy weight dropped onto me.

The...