A Royal Sacrifice

Her voice grew softer, heavy with loss. “Selene promised she would keep in touch, and she did—through milestones, birthdays, your birth, Leo’s birth… But there were no photographs. And then… it all stopped.”

Tears shimmered in Bianca’s eyes as her voice cracked. “Seven years ago.”

Lyra’s brows furrowed, voice small but urgent. “But… why? Why all the secrecy… all the moving, all the hiding?”

Her