ZED POV
I waited until her breathing changed.
Slow. Even.
Peaceful.
Amara had cried herself into exhaustion, her face relaxed now against the pillow, lashes resting softly on her cheeks. The storm inside her had finally gone quiet, at least for tonight.
I stood beside the bed for a moment longer than necessary.
Just watching her.
Even in sleep, she looked fragile… like something the world had no right touching. My jaw tightened at the memory of her tears, the way her voice had broken, the way her entire body had trembled in my arms.
“They’re monsters…” she had cried.
And she was right.
Carefully, I pulled the duvet higher over her shoulder and turned away. If I stayed any longer, I’d start thinking too much, and thinking too much had never been my strength.
Silently, I stepped o
