"Are you sure about this, Your Majesty?"
Lucius stood beside Heinz, his voice low and unreadable as he watched Lysander perform the final enchantments around Florian's sleeping form.
A soft glow pulsed gently over the prince's body, sealing him in a deeper sleep—a sleep even nightmares couldn't easily break.
Cashew sat by the edge of the bed, clutching Florian's hand with trembling fingers, his pale blond hair shadowing the tears on his cheeks.
Azure, nestled against the boy's side, occasionally flicked his tail protectively, eyes locked on Florian.
Heinz allowed it. Cashew had been unusually quiet lately, acting out of sorts—apparently begging to see Florian, even refusing food. Letting him stay was the least Heinz could do.
It had been only a day since his talk with Afton, but the decision came fast. The moment Florian had thrashed in his sleep again—his fourth nightmare that night—Heinz knew he couldn't afford to wait.
