Chapter 332 Real bed in fifteen years

Chapter 332: Chapter 332 Real bed in fifteen years

Talia’s POV

My mother looked at me, and I saw the confusion in her eyes. "I do not know, Talia. I have not had a choice in fifteen years."

I squeezed her hand. "Then I will choose for you. Nora, bring soup, bread, and tea. And whatever else you think is warm and comforting."

"Right away, Luna. We will have everything ready within the hour."

I ended the mind link, and I turned back to my mother.

A soft knock came at the door, and I heard Nora’s voice. "Luna? I have brought the food and the servants are preparing the baths."

I opened the door, and I saw Nora standing there with a tray of warm food. Behind her, I could see servants carrying buckets of steaming water into the room.

I smiled at her. "Thank you, Nora. You are a lifesaver."

Nora’s eyes moved to my mother, and I saw the tears in her eyes. "Luna Seraphina, it is an honor to meet you. We have heard so much about you."

My mother looked at her, and I saw the tears in her eyes. "Thank you, Nora. Thank you for taking care of my daughter."

Nora shook her head. "She is the one who took care of us, Luna Seraphina. She is the one who brought us all together."

"They are preparing everything now, Mother. You will have a hot bath, and you will have warm food. And then you will sleep in a real bed."

She looked at me, and I saw the tears streaming down her face. "I do not know how to thank you, Talia."

I shook my head. "You do not have to thank me, Mother. You just have to let yourself be taken care of."

The servants finished preparing the baths, and I watched them leave the room. The steam rose from the water, filling the air with warmth and the scent of lavender.

I walked to my mother, and I took her hand. "Come, Mother. The bath is ready."

She looked at the water, and I saw the fear in her eyes. "I have not bathed in years, Talia. I do not know if I can..."

I squeezed her hand. "I will help you, Mother. I will be right here."

She looked at me, and I saw the trust in her tired eyes. "Okay, Talia. Okay."

I helped her undress, and I saw the scars on her body. The silver burns, the marks of the chains, the evidence of fifteen years of suffering. I felt the tears burning in my eyes, but I did not let them fall. I would cry later. Right now, she needed me to be strong.

I helped her into the bath, and I watched her sink into the warm water. She closed her eyes, and I saw the tension leaving her body.

"It is so warm," she whispered. "I had forgotten what warm felt like."

I knelt beside the tub, and I took a cloth. "Let me wash your hair, Mother. Let me take care of you."

She looked at me, and I saw the tears streaming down her face. "You are so much like me, Talia. You have my heart."

I smiled, and I began to wash her hair. "I learned from the best, Mother."

She looked at me, and I saw the fear in her tired eyes. "Will you stay with me? Until I fall asleep?"

I nodded, and I felt the tears burning in my eyes. "Of course, Mother. I will stay as long as you need me."

She sat on the edge of the bed, and I watched her hands trembling as she touched the pillows. She looked at the soft blankets, the warm fire, and the moonlight streaming through the window.

"I used to dream about this," she said, and her voice was distant. "I used to close my eyes in that cage, and I would imagine a room like this. I would imagine a bed, and a fire, and a window that looked out at the stars."

I squeezed her hand. "It is real now, Mother. You are here."

She looked at me, and I saw the tears streaming down her face. "I know, Talia. I know."

I helped her lie down, and I watched her pull the blankets up to her chin. Her eyes were fluttering closed, and I could see her body barely relaxing for the first time in fifteen years.

"Talia?" she whispered, holding my hand tightly.

I leaned closer. "I am here, Mother."

"I love you," she said. "I have always loved you."

I squeezed her hand, and I felt the tears streaming down my face. "I love you too, Mother. I have always loved you. Now rest."

Her eyes closed, and I watched her drift into sleep. Her face was peaceful, and her breathing was steady. She was finally safe.

The food sat untouched on the tray beside us. I had tried to get her to eat, but she had been too tired. She had taken a few sips of tea and a bite of bread, but then she had closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

I looked at the tray, and I felt a pang of guilt. She had not eaten properly in fifteen years, and he needed to regain her strength. But for now, sleep was more important. She would eat in the morning.

I looked at the fire, at the dying embers, and I added another log. The flames crackled and rose, casting warm light across the room.

I sat beside her, and I did not move. I watched her sleep, and I felt the tears streaming down my face, because she was home.

My mother was finally home.

The fire crackled softly, and the night was quiet. The moon shone through the window, casting silver light across the room.

I leaned back in my chair, and I watched my mother sleep. She was so peaceful, so fragile, and so beautiful.

"Goodnight, Mother," I whispered. "I will be right here when you wake up."

I sat beside her, and I did not leave.

The shadows of what lay ahead were never far away, but for this moment, there was only peace.