Ouroboros Spine taimani ⋗

Stratos had never been a man in Moonglow. At least, he had never felt like one. It was why he had never stayed whenever he'd returned.

But though he had not returned this time with a wife, nor with children of his own, he felt older than he'd ever felt, and felt, in many ways, he had become a man without any of these things. He had searched for Ani and failed. He had found Ariadne, and had not. Though Little Fox was gone (a name more fitting than the number his father had named him!), had he not helped bring his sister home? Perhaps that was why Sedna had taken the boy away - though Stratos did not say it. Taken, so that Ariadne might return.

She was safe here. He had always thought so, and had always kept these things tucked away, knowing she would see in time.

He lifted his voice alongside hers, and sung the death song of their people, to raise Little Fox up to the skies again. He was already there, but now he would know how many loved him - many more than he and Ariadne, who had sung for him on the day he'd ascended to the dancing lights.