Aria’s POV

The night felt endless. My body was still sore, my heart heavier than my bones could carry. I sat against the carved wooden headboard of my chamber, the warm glow of the lantern flickering across the walls. In my arms lay the one miracle I had left—my daughter. Her small mouth suckled at my breast, her tiny fingers curled against my skin, reminding me painfully of the absence of her brother.

Tears ran down my face silently, dripping onto her soft hair. I tried to hold them back, but the weight of my grief pressed too hard against my chest.

“Shh, my sweet girl,” I whispered, though my...