I ease Nadia into her bed. She curls into the blanket right away, her body still trembling. I sit beside her and stroke her hair, trying to calm the frantic rhythm of her breath.
“Mama… where’s Vera?” she whispers.
The words hit me so hard my vision drops for a second. I swallow and make my voice steady, even though it cuts inside.
“She’s taking a long, long sleep,” I say. “She’s resting now.”
Nadia’s lip quivers. “She was supposed to stay with me.”
“I know, baby,” I say. “She did stay with you. She stayed until she couldn’t anymore.”
Nadia nods, slow and sad. She presses her face into her bear again. Her shoulders shake once, then go still.
Anastasia steps closer. “Let me make her cocoa,” she says. “Warm milk helps her settle.”
I nod. “Thank you.” My voice is rough.
She slips out and returns a minute later with a small mug in her hands. Steam rises from the top, carrying the soft smell of chocolate. She kneels beside the bed.
“Here, little star,” Anastasia says gently. “Drink a little. It’ll help.”
Nadia pushes up on her elbows and reaches for the cup with both hands. Her fingers are shaky, so I steady the mug with her. She takes a sip, then another, and the tension in her shoulders slowly loosens.
“It’s good,” she whispers.
“I’m glad,” I say.
Anastasia stands. “I’ll bring another for you.”
I open my mouth to say I don’t need it, but she’s already gone. My heart is still pounding from the search, from finding her alive, from seeing Vera on the rug. My hands shake as I pull the blanket around Nadia. She leans against me, sleepy now, the cocoa softening the edge of her fear.
Anastasia returns with a second mug and hands it to me. Her smile is small and tight, like she’s trying to be brave for us.
“You should drink,” she says. “You look shaken.”
I take it because she’s right. My nerves are shot. My chest still hurts. I hold the warm cup between both hands and let the steam hit my face. The warmth feels good. My throat is too tight to speak for a moment.
Nadia finishes her cocoa and hands the empty cup to Anastasia. Her eyelids start to droop. I kiss her hair again and tuck the blanket around her shoulders.
“Stay with her?” I ask Anastasia.
“Of course,” she says. “She isn’t leaving my sight again.”
I take a sip of my own cocoa. It’s sweet and warm and settles heavily in my stomach. I sink into the chair by the bed. My body feels like it’s been running for hours, which it has, but thisis different. My muscles start to relax too fast. My eyelids get heavy.
Nadia curls against her pillow, still holding my hand. Her breathing slows into a soft, tired rhythm.
“There you go,” Anastasia murmurs as she smooths Nadia’s hair. “You’re safe now. You’re both safe.”
I try to answer, but my voice slips. I lift the cup to take another sip, but my fingers feel slow. The mug feels heavier than before. Something warm spreads through my chest and down my arms.
I blink hard.
The room tilts a little.
“Raina?” Anastasia says softly. “You’re exhausted. Drink the rest. It’ll help you sleep.”
I nod without thinking. She’s been loyal for years. She found Nadia. She brought her back. She’s standing right here, offering help when everything is falling apart. My body wants rest so badly. I take another sip.
