Soraya's POV
The palace physicians finally dismissed me after some minutes.
They found nothing wrong—no broken bones, no internal damage, not even lingering strain. Just exhaustion. I already knew I was fine, but I let them fuss anyway. It was safer that way. Less suspicious. Less questions.
By the time I returned to my room, the corridors were quieter, washed in the soft gold of the sconces.
I opened the door gently.
Inside, I found Jenny sitting on the floor with Liam, wooden blocks scattered everywhere. Liam was laughing as he tried—very unsuccessfully—to stack them into a crooked tower.
The sound of it warmed something deep in my chest.
For a brief moment, the world felt normal again. No blood. No monsters. No secrets stretching tight beneath my ribs. Just laughter and wooden blocks and a small boy who thought crooked towers were triumphs.
I smiled.
Jenny looked up and froze.
