MAEVE'S POV
[MOMENTS EARLIER]
Lydia was still unconscious when I left her chambers.
She was breathing, but I wasn't sticking around to watch her wake up. I cleaned up the cut hair, the spilled tonic, and the broken glass. Then I left just as quickly.
By the time I returned to my quarters, Asha was just finishing lunch.
"Thanks for looking after him," I told Nina. "You can take a break. I've got it from here."
Relieved, she shrugged on her coat, patted Asha's head, and left to tour the castle.
My baby's face stretched out in a blinding grin just as I pulled him into my arms.
"Hey, honey. How were your lessons? Did you miss me?"
"I missed Mummy," he crooned, hugging me tight—then pulling back with a scowl. "But I'm bored," he huffed. "I wanna go outside. When is Daddy coming?"
I sighed. "I already told you, Asha. Daddy can't come. But once I finish what I have to do here, I'll take you to him."
How soon that would be, I didn't know.
