Chapter 7

Elara’s POV

“Elara?”

I couldn’t answer. Below us, Aidan turned a little farther, giving me a clear view of his face, and six years hadn’t erased a single line of it. I would have known that face anywhere, in any light, after any number of years.

My stomach dropped.

Aidan. Asta’s father. The father of the little girl I had come here to care for.

And then—

My hand moved to my stomach on its own, an old instinct I hadn’t outgrown.

Will’s father.

“Elara?” Felix said again. “Are you all right?”

I forced my hand away. “Yes.” It came out too fast, and he frowned.

“I’m fine.” I wasn’t. I couldn’t seem to pull enough air into my lungs,