Alexander:
I found her where I expected, near the war table, not in the nursery, not resting, not staying where she was safest. And I knew not to expect less of her… I just wished that she would listen.
Alessia stood with her hands braced against the edge of the table, maps spread out beneath her fingers, her gaze sharp, focused, like the weight of everything had only made her steadier.
Stronger.
And that, that was exactly what worried me.
“You should be resting.” I said, taking a step toward her before wrapping my arms around her from behind, pulling her closer.
She didn’t look up from the map. Her body leaned in instinctively, but it stayed there… she didn’t truly lose focus on what she was doing.
“I’m not tired.” She said, “and I think that you know that now is not the time for a
