Page 211 of Bound By Crimson
He stirred. Snuggled closer. Made a small sound like a sigh.
Then he opened his eyes—wide, golden, and uncanny. The same rare shade that marked the Thornwick bloodline. Lyric’s breath caught. For a heartbeat, fear pierced through her—because those eyes meant legacy. Expectation. Control. But then he blinked slowly, and she saw it. Her own eyes looking back. Not just his father’s blood… hers too.
For a moment she was scared he would cry. She whispered quickly, “It’s okay. I’m your mama.” And just like that—like something in her voice reached him—he relaxed, eyelids fluttering closed as he drifted back to sleep.
And she broke.
Silently.
Completely.
He smelled like baby shampoo and powdered milk and something only he could smell like—her son.
Her Noah.
His warmth seeped into her chest like sunlight.
Familiar.
Devastating.
She wanted to sob. To bawl. To sink to the floor and shatter under the weight of it all. Every scream, every tear she hadn’t let out crushed against her ribs—but she held it in, clenching her jaw as the ache swelled up her throat, threatening to choke her.
Her chest was heavy. Her throat tight.
She breathed through it.
One breath at a time.
His tiny hand reached up and wrapped around her finger.
He squeezed.
A full, perfect squeeze.
She choked on the air she pulled into her lungs.
Then looked down at his little toes, barely the size of her thumbnail.
Ten perfect little stories she had missed.
She rocked gently, afraid even the floor might betray her.
“Noah,” she whispered, her lips brushing through his soft brown hair. “I’m here. I’m so sorry. I love you so much.”
But she knew she didn’t have long.
She couldn’t let them know she could walk. Not yet. Not until she was strong enough. Not until she had a plan.
With a heart that felt like it was being carved in half, she rose.
Kissed his forehead one last time.
Laid him back in his crib.
Tucked the blanket around him.
Then turned.
