“Did they . . . break their tie?” Nobody had ever inquired about Derevko’s parents, or at least her father, nor their relationship. Aeolus’ words hit a spot deep down that she never knew she had, and it scared her; so she began to close up. “Yes, they did; in fact, my father did, after their . . . argument. My mother made a bad choice, but the bastard I call father blew it too out of proportion. It happened before they were mates, and he’s not a man I need anyway.” Her words were cold and stiff.
Great, his parents still had theirs; thank you, world, for reminding her that others had what she could never, that she was just a stone cold bitch who closed herself off from everything. She paid little attention to him as he joked to her, then ripped into the fish. She listened to his words, then, swallowed hard at the mention of their tie. “Yes, of course. I . . .” She made a pretense of remembering something. “Oh! Sorry, I just realized I’ve got to meet with my sister today. Kind of a plan. Cheering up our mother and all.” Now she could find Chickadee and do just that. Bidding goodbye to Aeolus, she climbed out of the stream. Walked quickly away, trying to bite back drops of water in her eyes that seemed suspiciously like tears, and she was ashamed of that, and she wanted it to stop.

“Check my vital signs to know I’m still alive & I walk alone!”