Broken Antler Fen I hear the wicked get no rest.

Another story for another time, pah. So she thought. Once Ibis had put that little morsel out there, Lilitu couldn't help but want the whole pie.

How did Papa save you? she pressed on. Maybe talking about the past would make them both feel better about the present. She hated to see her Mama so sad, and it seemed like that was all there was these days.

She gave Ibis another gentle touch, muzzle to cheek. I want to hear about all of his adventures. And yours, too, Lilitu added, smiling. She hadn't known that her father was so full of stories, but it made sense. He had lived a whole life before she was born—and would hopefully be back, soon, to add to that life.

To tell her more stories. To give her more hugs.

She hadn't realized how much she missed him, too, until this moment, and she felt her chest tighten and her eyes burn.