Azul felt as though a heavy burden on his shoulders had suddenly disappeared as he melted into Roxanna's embrace.
He had only just woken from his deep sleep, but the warmth of her arms made his eyelids grow heavy again.
"Azul," Roxanna called his name softly. For some reason, there was something different in her voice. It was filled with sadness, as though she had been thinking about something that hurt her heart.
"Yes?" Azul replied. He lifted his face and looked at her with eyes filled with wonder. "What's wrong?"
Roxanna took a slow breath before speaking. "Your mother told me that since she's already tied her soul to this land, she can't come with us to the Vixeria Settlement."
She took another deep breath before continuing, "And she said... she might need two or three months to make sure Azura's respiratory organs can function properly."
Azul's expression softened. He gently cupped Roxanna's face with both hands.
