Azura's POV
The sun was high in the sky, turning the riverbank into a bright, warm paradise. For once, the air didn't feel heavy with fear. The stream bubbled cheerfully over smooth stones, and looking around, I felt a spark of true happiness. It was a rare, beautiful moment in my life, one that I desperately wanted to hold onto.
The children were everywhere, running barefoot through the wet sand, their feet making tiny slapping sounds against the ground. Their laughter sounded like music, echoing off the nearby trees as they played tag and splashed water at each other.
The guards were watching from a distance, looking bored, which was exactly how I wanted them. I had insisted they stay far away so the children could feel like they were just playing, not being watched like prisoners.
