Chapter 66

• Emilia’s POV
• I watched Francesca dart ahead of us, her curls bouncing as she ran toward the playground. She was all energy and excitement, a bundle of joy that seemed to radiate life in a way that made it impossible not to smile.
• Alaric walked beside me, his hands in his pockets, looking out of place in his casual clothes. He was dressed in dark jeans and a simple black t-shirt that somehow made him look even more intimidating than his usual suits. He hadn’t said much since we left the house, but that was typical of him.