°•♡Chapter 77~ Where the Scar Sits

The moment I saw them, I felt my lungs work again.

“Mommy!” they cried in unison, and their little feet ran towards me.

I dropped to my knees.

Their arms around me felt like a drop of water on the desert ground. They clutched tight, sobs and sniffles muffled against my ripped clothes. I cuddled them up.

“I’m here,” I exhaled, barely able to get the words out. “I’m here. I’ve got you.”

Talia pulled back just enough to look up at me. Her lip wobbled. “Everything got loud. There were—there were booms. And fire.”

Kael nodded furiously. “And people yelling. And then… and then he came.”

My eyes went up to Lucien.

Kael’s little hand tugged at my sleeve. “He said we had to go.”

Talia whispered, “He kept us safe.”

Lucien’s gaze never left mine. Neither did mine from his.

Of all the people. Of all the godsdamned people in the realm… it had to be him.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice low. It nearly killed me to say it. “For getting them out.”

He gave a small nod. No smug smile. No sharp remark. Jus