Book 14: One Thing Left to Try

Maeve

I blink into the shadows of my room. The curtains are still drawn, but strips of deep, golden sunlight creep between the seams of the fabric, alerting me to the time. It’s nearly sunset. I slept most of the day, save for Cole occasionally checking on me, but now my stomach is tight with hunger, and my body feels… strange.

I smooth my hand over my belly, but the baby is sleeping, curled in a snug ball right against my ribs, her favorite place to kick.

The door creaks open. I pop my head from beneath the blankets as a tall, dark shadow steps inside the room, carrying the scent of food with him. “Are you awake?” Soren’s voice is… soft. Casual, showing no signs of pain or stress.

I lift onto an elbow as he steps into the room and walks to the windows, opening one of the curtains enough to softly illuminate the space, and turns to me, his eyes scanning mine.

“What’ve you been doing all day?” I ask, my tone lifted in suspicion. “It’s ne