"No!" Tista blushed up to her ears. "Why does everyone always think of me when we talk about children?"
"Because you're the only one without one, Auntie." Leria replied. "Mom?"
"No, it's not me either." Rena cleared her throat in embarrassment. "We'll continue this conversation later."
The following day, the Verhens went to the Blood Desert to visit Althika without the children. Raaz decided he would check on the baby next and overcome his irrational fear of Erkin.
"How are you doing today, Althika?" He asked, his lips twitching often as he gave her a tense smile that almost resembled a feverish grin.
"I'm still very tired, Mister Verhen." The Dryad needed Baba Yaga's hand and heavy blankets to face her friendly opponents. "No matter how long I sleep, I feel exhausted, and my entire body aches as if someone has just finished beating me up."
"I'm sorry to hear." Raaz said, and much to his surprise, he was sincere. "How is our little Erkin?"
