The raids began at dawn.
Commander Petra's forces hit all three safe houses simultaneously, hoping to catch Lady Sarah before she could flee or receive warning. I wanted to be there, wanted to see the woman who'd been coordinating attacks against my daughter brought to justice. But Kael insisted I stay at the castle with Arianna.
He was right, of course. I'd pushed myself hard enough last night. The baby needed rest even if I was too wired to sleep properly.
So instead I waited in our chambers, holding Arianna and trying not to imagine all the ways the raids could go wrong.
Mira sat with me, her face still bruised from her captivity but her spirit unbroken. She'd insisted on leaving the healers' care to keep me company, despite everyone telling her to rest.
"You should be sleeping," I told her for the third time.
