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“Yes.”

That surprised me more than it probably should have.

“Did she say why?”

The woman’s expression softened. “She said you have had enough people asking you questions.”

A laugh escaped me. “Okay.”

“I will tell her.”

She turned toward the door.

“Wait.”

The word came out before I could pretend the question didn’t matter.

She looked back.

“Veyr?”

“He remains in the royal medical wing.”

“Awake?”

“Sleeping when I last received an update.”

Actually sleeping.

Something in my shoulders loosened.

“He’s stable?”

“He is.”

“Thank you.”

When she left, I stayed on the edge of the bed for another minute before looking toward the window.

Zuna stretched beyond the glass in dark stone and tall structures, transit lights moving smoothly between them.

For once, I wasn’t studying the city while calculating exits.

That felt strange.

I dressed, ate enough to stop my stomach from complaining, and then spent almost twenty minutes doing absolutely nothing. No records, no routes, no warning messages. I stood at the window with a hot drink and watched people moving along the distant walkways.

It felt almost normal.

That was the dangerous part.

Normal enough to imagine.

Later, one of the household staff led me through the royal residence to the family dining room. I had barely stepped inside when I heard the child before I saw him.

Fast footsteps slapped against the floor somewhere beyond the family dining room, followed by a woman’s voice.

“Slow down.”