The Lost Heir
she says.
"Yes."
Maya shifts Ivy higher when her arm starts to ache, a quiet grunt of effort. "She loved you," Maya says. It comes out quiet, careful, as if she's afraid the words will wake the child or break the truce between them. "Did you love her?"
Alec doesn't answer right away. He steps closer, moving into the small circle of light until Maya can feel the heat radiating off him.
"I've only ever loved one," he says.