Lyra had finished eating and there was still a bit for Arysta.
"Mommy" she asked. "Why doesn't Kil-na and Jamzz have a family?"
"I guess they don't want any right now," Arysta answered, finishing her food quickly and getting a wooden comb. She pulled Lyra into her lap and brushed the child's long sandy hair. She had inherited Kane's hair. And his eyes. Her heart shaped face was from Arysta, as was her small nose. She was an even mix of both Kane and Arysta. A constant reminder of what they had both lost...
Arysta shook her head to snap herself from her thoughts. "Time for bed Lyra."
"Yes Mommy," the child said obediently and stood still as her mother changed her into her nightgown. She giggled as she snuggled down into the fur blankets. "Mommy?"
"Yes Lyra."
"Tell me about daddy."
Arysta felt the familiar pain in her heart. She winced and looked away. "You want to hear about him?"
Lyra nodded vigorously. "He was really brave, wasn't he Mommy?"
"Yes love, he was."
"And very handsome."
"Very."
Lyra was silent while Arysta described Kane to her. "Mommy? Did daddy mean to leave?"
Arysta's breath caught in her throat, but a small whimper escaped. She had to clear her throat multiple times before she could answer. "No love... he didn't mean to... he loved you very much."
Lyra nodded. "Mommy, don't cry," she said, reaching up for a hug. "Please don't cry."
A tear escaped as Arysta hugged her child tightly. "I just get a little lonely sometimes angel. Nothing to worry about. Go to sleep now. Dream good dreams," she said and kissed her forehead. Lyra curled up like a puppy in the warmth of the blankets and soon her breathing changed as she fell asleep.
Arysta banked the fire, covering the embers with ash so they would be ready in the morning. A soft glow still emanated from it. Arysta combed her own hair before changing into one of Kane's shirts. Wrapped her arms around it, she inhaled deeply of the shirt that had lost his scent long ago but she still liked to imagine she could smell him.
Then, crawling in beside her daughter, she wrapped her arms around her protectively and cried silently until she fell asleep.