I couldn’t take it any longer. Every time I look at him, every time I hear a child cry, I just can’t take it anymore. I will find my daughter.

“Thalia? Are you alright?” I looked up from my book, Joseph stood at the door of my wagon. He held a cup of steaming liquid, his eyes were red. Even after a year, he still looked sad about it. But I couldn’t believe it. He was the reason she was gone. He was the reason we didn’t get to celebrate her first birthday or show her the beauty of our world. I looked down at my book. I had grabbed it off one of the witches when we escaped and had been studying it since. At first it was out of fascination, then I found promises that the power can take the pain away.

“No, I’m not okay. You know how long it’s been? Today would’ve been her birthday!” I shouted. I dropped the book and got to my feet.

“I know,” he bit. His knuckles were white with how tightly he gripped it.

“Do you? You couldn’t even care to let me say bye. You didn’t even let me name her!” I crossed the room to him. Fury pulsed through me. The candle lights flickered.

“Thalia, calm down, please. I can’t apologize for this, it’ll save our world. I miss her too! I wanted kids, I wanted to raise kids with you!” His face was red, and his eyes were beginning to tear up.

“If you wanted that so bad you wouldn’t have sent our daughter to a foreign world. Not knowing if she’ll be raised by a good family or not,” I shook my head.

“Thalia, drink this, it’ll bring peace,” he seemed urgent. I looked at the liquid, it smelled like zaelaphaen. The quickest acting painkiller.

“I don’t want to. I don’t want to forget, Joseph, nor will I ever,” I snapped.

“I don’t expect you to,” he sighed. “Just, sit please.” Joseph put a free arm around my shoulder and guided me over to my bed. He placed the cup in my hands. The liquid quivered in my shaking hands. I was feeling way too many emotions. The tea, I faintly noticed it being to boil.

“Please leave Joseph, please just go. I can’t do it, not today,” I shook my head. He nodded. I watched him leave, he looked back and gave me a weak smile before disappearing into the night.