Noctisardor Bypass gyonplei

Kindness was not an epithet Anselm would use to describe his mother. He loved Wylla — possibly putting his impression of her above all else. She had been kind to him, and loved him — but even he could recognize where he and his family fell short.

He didn’t know Heda’s real mother had disappeared. This opened a new realization for him that tasted bitter. He was broken. Heda was moreso.

They neared the den now. His steps slowed naturally. This was Heda’s realm, and he an outsider in it. Being close somehow felt like infringing, as if he were a trespasser in her own territory.

His ears flipped forward as she invited him in. Anselm struggled to hide his anticipation and guilt, but at last answered. Yes.