Celeste POVThe room stayed tense for what felt like forever.No one spoke unless they had to. The healers moved quickly around Amelia, checking her breathing, rubbing her hands, preparing herbs, and forcing a little air through her lungs with practiced urgency. Kharl stood at the side of the bed like a statue carved from anger and fear, his whole body stiff, his eyes fixed on the little girl’s face.I stayed close too.Not because I knew exactly what to do, but because I couldn’t leave. Amelia might not be mine, but she was a child under my roof, in my care, and right now that was enough to make my chest hurt.One of the healers glanced up at me.“She’s breathing better now,” he said quietly. “But she needs a moment.”A moment.It sounded so small. Too small for the fear that had filled the room.Kharl didn’t move.“Amelia,” he said softly, the roughness in his voice making my throat tighten. “Open your eyes.”For a second, nothing happened.Then—A faint stir.Her fingers twitched f
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