SERAPHINA’S POV
My mother’s voice pulled me back to the present.
“Seraphina, dear?”
I blinked, the memory dissolving like mist. The sketchpad still lay open beside me, Kieran’s penciled profile gazing toward the window.
There was moisture dripping down my cheek.
“Oh—sorry,” I said quickly, brushing under my eyes before my mother could notice. Emotion still lingered from the memory, but I forced a steadier tone. “Just got lost in thought. Remembering something.”
She stood at the doorway, her expression caught between fondness and worry. “Good memories, I hope?”
I held back a derisive snort and gave a noncommittal shrug. “Old ones.”
That was when I noticed that the space beside me was empty. Gods, how long was I zoned out for?
“Maya?” I asked.
“Off somewhere with her nephews,” Mother said, shaking her head. “Those boys are full of energy. I do hope they don’t exhaust her like they’ve done their poor father.”
I smiled faintly. “Maya can handle them.”
