Chapter 90

Seris’s POV

“Mummy!” Nessa’s small voice broke through the stillness as she darted into the chamber. I tore my gaze away from Eldra and swept my daughter into my arms. Tears surged down my cheeks at the feel of her warm, trembling body against mine. I pressed my face into her hair, inhaling her familiar scent, even as I felt her own tears soaking my sleeve. A heavy guilt settled in my chest; since we fled Malrik, I’d been so consumed by survival that I’d forgotten to protect her, to consider her safety before making reckless choices. It was my fault she’d been in danger.

“I missed you, Mommy,” she sobbed, clutching me tighter. “Moonbun missed you too. Why did you leave me? I made a new friend at the vampires’ camp. He has blonde hair, like both of ours, and he’s missing a tooth—just like me.” Her words tumbled out in a frantic rush, and despite the tears in my eyes, I couldn’t help but chuckle at her earnestness.

Oh, how I’d missed her. In that instant, I vo