Chapter 3

“Fox?”

He started and sat up, his boots forgotten. “I didn’t expect you to still be up.”

“Of course I’d be. I went to Patrin’s campfire when I saw him pacing, and he told me Luminitsa was having her baby. How is it?”

“She.”

“Ah. Patrin was hoping for a boy.”

“They all do, not realizing we wouldn’t survive if there were no girls.”

“How is she?”

“Luminitsa is well. Her baby—”

“What’s wrong?” Warrick must have heard the distress in his voice. His lover came to him and knelt at his side.

“Oh, Rick, the poor little mite was born blind.” Fox couldn’t help a bitter laugh. “She’s so perfect, otherwise, her little head covered with a cap of black curls. But her eyes…”

They were milky white, and once her parents had seen them, they’d shied back in horror and crossed themselves, demanding Fox get rid of her. “If you don’t, we will!”