Moonspear My baby here on Earth

His admission about blood earned a mild double take. He mentioned his adoption, which made Pie’s brain kick into overdrive. She knew of them, though she’d never formally met the pair. But why had they taken him in? Ludo didn’t leave her wondering long, declaring his mother dead.

She halted in her climb, yellow eyes blinking as the news settled on her patchy shoulders. Her throat felt thick as tears pricked her eyes, though Tiuttuk had to wonder whether she would’ve reacted so sensitively in other circumstances. She was sorry to hear about Pala’s passing, especially since they had never made things right between them.

I’m so sorry, Ludo. What happened? she asked, reminding herself that this was his loss much more than hers.