Luneshale Pass Rise and reign.

Leto’s answer immediately endeared her to Towhee. She smiled in approval, not that she needed it. She considered telling Leto about her own take on such matters when the woman tacked on something mildly distracting.

I did wonder, she admitted, then shrugged, but we’re certainly not together. I only wondered if our kids would be half-siblings. She supposed not. Good for you, though. I raised several of mine on my own too. It was nice having a coparent while it lasted…

Oh, Maxim, she thought. Towhee paused, giving herself a moment to think of her long lost—and long dead, without a doubt—mate. But then she refocused on the conversation at hand.

But I’ve always considered the mother much more important than anyone else. You carry them, you bear them, you feed them—all from your own body. It’s hard work. Worthwhile work. Work only a mother can do, Towhee circled back, shooting Leto the sort of smile that only a kindred spirit could give.