Tegan remembered those words and closed her eyes gently. “I haven’t thought about it.”

Lorian saw how exhausted she was and decided not to press further. Instead, he gently took her hand and whispered, “Let’s not talk about this now. You need to rest. I’ll stay with Lola.”

Tegan was too tired to argue. She succumbed to her fatigue. After enduring the strain of childbirth, she quickly fell into a deep sleep.

As Tegan slept, Lorian remained vigil by her side. He glanced alternately at the tiny