Amara's voice softened instantly, the shock melting into something deeper, grief that wasn't even hers, but felt heavy all the same. She shifted forward, her hands instinctively reaching for him now.
"What are you still doing here?" she asked gently, searching his face. "You should be with your mother." Her brows pulled together, concern replacing everything else.
"At the Vale mansion… she's going to need you." There was urgency in her tone now, not panic, but care. Real, immediate care.
"You don't have to worry about me," she added quickly, squeezing his hand. "I promise, I'll take care of myself." She meant it. In that moment, her world narrowed to what she could do for him.
But…She didn't see it yet. Didn't see what this meant. Not fully. Because this wasn't just loss.
