I got out of bed and padded silently to the window, peering out into the misty courtyard. The guards were changing shifts, moving like shadows between the gates, their low voices blending with the wind.
For a brief second, I thought I saw movement in the woods—something dark darting between the trees. My heart leapt, but when I blinked, it was gone.
Paranoia? Maybe. But with Daphne involved, paranoia was just another word for survival.
I went downstairs and brewed tea, the scent of herbs filling the kitchen. Nova soon joined me, her eyes still heavy with sleep as she gently rubbed her eyes trying to take sleep off her eyes.
“Mommy, you look tired, you didn't sleep?” she asked, eyeing the dark circles under my eyes and looked at me concerned.
I gave her a faint smile. “Couldn’t. Mommy
