Again Lillith paused, but this time it was to remind herself that she had decided that what happened in the future was not her story to tell. "Kash is my family because he is Zahra's, but in your future and even Pike's, you are all dear to me." Here, she smiled again but softly. "I celebrated Winter's Crest with you only sixty-three days past."

She glanced past Vex to Kashaw and then to Vex again. "I believe you may be the only reason he still lives, so for my cousin's sake and my own, I thank you."