136. Wings of Refuge

Astrid sat quietly, her gaze fixed on the rippling waves outside the cabin window. The ship's gentle sway was a stark contrast to the chaos that had led her here.

She didn't touch the tea. Instead, she asked for milk. Darla soon returned with a glass of creamy milk. Astrid took it, added some sugar, and drank it slowly, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. Tyler and Lily exchanged glances, surprised by her sweet tooth.

Lily leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "You seem to have a preference for sweet things," she remarked with a smile.

Astrid nodded, her eyes twinkling. "I suppose I do. It's a bit of a comfort for me, especially after... everything that's happened."

Tyler's expression turned serious. "What happened? You can talk to us."

Taking a deep breath, Astrid began, "I was targeted by a pirate group. They wanted to kidnap me and sell me as a slave. I managed to escape, but it was close."