When Elysia had been in labor, Lara had watched Malvoria pace the halls like a demon queen about to go to war.
She'd thought it was a bit dramatic, honestly. Exhausting. Maybe even a little soft.
Now, running through Malvoria's castle barefoot, shirt half-buttoned, and shouting like the floor was on fire, Lara understood everything.
This wasn't stress.
This was terror wrapped in urgency, dressed in love.
"SOMEONE GET THE HEALER!"
She slammed into the side of a tapestry, barely caught her balance, and shoved open the nearest door.
Raveth blinked up from a sofa, mid-nap. "Are we under attack again?"
"No—yes—I MEAN SARISA'S IN LABOR!"
Raveth was instantly on her feet. "Did the baby explode or—?"
"She's wet and angry and sitting on a pillow and I don't know what happens next!"
That got Raveth moving.
Lara was already racing down the next corridor.
"VEYLYRA! MALVORIA! ELYSIA!"
Doors flew open. Someone cursed in a far wing. A servant dropped a tray.
