As the witch placed the baby in my trembling arms, I held him close, feeling his tiny heartbeat against my chest.
“My beautiful boy,” I whispered to him. His innocent gaze met mine, unaware of the fate that awaited him. Tears flowed freely down my cheeks, a mixture of love and anguish intertwining within me.
"Oh, my precious one," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. "I wish things were different for you, that I could protect you from them. I know that this might sound like a lie, but please know that in this moment, you are cherished, and your life holds immeasurable worth to me."
Kael stepped forward, his touch gentle as he caressed the baby's cheek. His eyes, once filled with uncertainty, now glimmered with an unwavering tenderness. It was a shared moment of vulnerability, a re
