We stood there for a long moment, holding onto each other, two friends bound by a secret that was too big to contain for long. The fear was still there, a cold undercurrent beneath the joy, but it was no longer in control.
I had my answer.
We composed ourselves, wiping away tears and taking deep, steadying breaths. Adrineh tucked the tests back into the paper bag and handed them to me. "Your spicy candies," she said with a wry smile.
We walked back into the main living area. Siria was happily munching on a honey cake, her face smeared with sticky sweetness. Seth and Jacob were cleaning up, their movements easy and familiar.
Adrineh clapped her hands together softly. "Alright, my little love, time to go. Papa is waiting for us back home."
Siria's face immediately fell. The honey-smeare
