Emberwood swallows circling with their shimmering sound

They did; it amazed him, sometimes, how little of their mother he could see in them. It made him glad, on most days, but there were times when he wondered how they'd be if Amber had stayed. Of course, Krypton had probably made a better mother to them than he could ever have asked - they didn't need anyone else.

"They must," he agreed, unthinkingly and not really understanding what she was referring to. How have you been? he thought to ask, but the words never made it past the edges of his conscience. Instead, he gave a contented grumble as she licked his chin, pushing his face more fully into her personal space to request more of the same affection.