SERAPHINA’S POV
Daniel was warm in my arms when I tucked the covers around him later that night.
“Mom?” His voice was small, barely above a whisper. His lashes fluttered as though he were already half-asleep, but I knew my son—his mind never rested easily.
“Yes, love?” I smoothed his hair back, needing the steady rhythm of the motion more than he did.
“Are you okay?” His dark eyes blinked open, wide and searching.
The question hit deeper than I expected, pulling tight against the ache I’d carried all day.
I hesitated. My throat still felt raw from the water I’d swallowed, from the moment everything had gone black under the sea.
And behind my ribs, my heart kept replaying the terrifying seconds between sinking and waking—only to find myself nestled under Kieran, his mouth pressed to mine.
The memory burned like a brand. The way his breath had rushed into me, the way his hands had trembled as though he feared he might lose me.
