“I couldn’t tell you...” Azrea whispered, clinging to the last remnants of life with all her might. “Couldn’t tell you... that Arkemeya is… a golem... She created it... created... Can’t... can’t tell... and her child... It’s not your child... It’s like the Immortals’ kids... also a golem...”
“I know,” Hadjar pressed her tighter to his chest, trying not to let the lump in his throat have its way. Not now... not now... “Now I know...”
“That’s good,” she continued to smile. Lightly and warmly. As she always had. “You do know... that I would never... hurt you... father? And that I always... loved you... as a father... Everything I said then... It was necessary... Necessary for... you to come... here.”
“Of course, my dear, of course,” he stroked her head, and her blood-stained hair clumped t
