Agnes
I floated back to consciousness slowly, like surfacing from deep water. The first thing I became aware of was the softness beneath me—a bed, not the cold cave floor. The second was a small, warm body curled against my side, and a tiny hand resting on my stomach.
Thea.
I opened my eyes, blinking against the light filtering through the curtains. How long had I been asleep? The last thing I remembered was the cave, the bones, Elijah’s arms around me as darkness pulled me away.
As I stirred, Thea sat up beside me, watching me. She reached out, her fingers touching my cheek with a gentleness that made my heart ache.
“Daddy said you were really sad,” she whispered. “He said you had to sleep for a while. I stayed with you so you wouldn’t be alone.”
My throat tightene
