Noctisardor Bypass sonnenschein

Ciri wasn't so sure that her father's response was genuine, though she made no effort to challenge it. She remained pressed to the gargoyle's flank, her head tucked to the side of his neck not only because she yearned for the closeness, but so she could listen closely for any suggestion that his rattling cough still plagued him.

"Sometimes," the swallow answered, "but not right now."

Her mother and sister were gone and Ciri was yet to find peace with that - she refused to let the heartache consume her. She'd lost so much in her short life, but fate had spared her long enough to reunite her with the one wolf in the world she had left.