Seraphina's POV
The little girl raised her tiny pinky finger, her eyes wide and hopeful. "Promise?"
I smiled, linking my pinky with hers. Our fingers looked so different—hers so small and delicate, mine wrapping around hers protectively. "Pinky promise."
A genuine smile spread across her face, the first real one I'd seen from her tonight. I closed my eyes and gently kissed her forehead, breathing in that sweet scent that all children seem to carry.
"Go to sleep, little cutie."
"Good night, Sera," she whispered, her voice already heavy with sleep.
"Good night, princess," I whispered back, tucking the blanket around her one more time.
I quietly slipped out of her room, closing the door softly behind me. The hallway felt colder after the warmth of her pink sanctuary. I made my way back through the dark corridors, retracing the same path I'd taken earlier.
