|| Alaric's POV ||

Morning light spilled through the castle windows, golden and mocking. I hadn't slept.

I stood outside Lilac's chamber, my palm pressed flat against the cold wood of the door. Behind it, Aurora babbled happily, the sound mixing with Lilac's soft laughter. The normalcy of it made my chest ache.

Taking a steadying breath, I pushed the door open.

Lilac sat on the floor with Aurora in her lap, stacking wooden blocks into a wobbling tower. She looked up ...