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string of curses I occasionally let slip when he wakes me up.” She smiled up at him. “I was waiting for you.”
    Kaie tore his gaze away from the baby. Now he turned his attention to figuring out what was going on with this girl at his side. “Why? I don’t have anyone to name him after. Why not name him after your father, or whatever, and just be done with it?”
    “Well, I didn’t think you’d like Boleslav.”
    He snorted. “Good call there.”
    Her hip swung into his. Bony as it was, he felt the hit. “That’s my father you’re laughing at.”
    “No. You’re right. It’s a fine name. I’m sure no one would ever make fun of a kid with that mouthful.” It was harder to get his snickering under control, the way she glared at him. But he managed. “Seriously, Peren. I didn’t even know your name when I woke. I can’t see a version of this year they’ve stolen where I’m an asset in your life. Why? Are we… Do you love me? ”
    “Not yet,” she said slowly, her eyes locked on the boy in the basket.
    “You must know ways. A place like this, there have to be ways to rid yourself of unwanted children. So, if you aren’t in love with me, why would you put yourself through this? Bring a child into this life? Take care of me? Tell me why.”
    “You didn’t want me to.” Peren pulled away and sat back down slowly. This time, there was no flailing. She moved with a grace impossible for the same girl who stood up. He couldn’t help wondering which was the real one . “You told me to get rid of everything you gave me that I didn’t need. Especially a child.”
    His frown deepened. He could feel the lines in his face. “I’m still waiting for that reason, precious.”
    “I was going to do what you said. I went to talk to a woman about… But when I was there I realized that I couldn’t. I need him, Kaie.” She wrapped her arms around her chest, the unshed tears sparkling in the corners of her eyes again. This time, they were his fault. “I need you too. But I won’t lose him. I’ll give you up first, I swear it.”
    Kaie held up his free hand in surrender. “I’m not going to ask that. You’ve convinced me. He’s convinced me. I’m just trying to understand.”
    She pursed her lips, considering him. Kaie flashed what he hoped was a comforting grin. She snorted. “One day, you’re going to learn that it takes more than a charming smile to get what you want.”
    “Not today, I hope ..” She laughed, and it was a terrifically loud sound to come out of such a little girl. He liked it. “So why do I get to name him? I can’t name him after my father.”
    I’m just going to say that you earned it.”
    “Earned it?”
    “His name. Now will you tell me what it is al ready? I’ve spent the months in suspense, and I’ve had my fill!”
    Kaie laughed. She was insane. Somehow, it eased the heat of his fury, like aloe on a sunburn . It made complete sense now, how such an odd girl would find a way to worm her way into his head so deeply that the Namer couldn’t remove her. “Keegan.”
    Peren blinked. “Keegan? Like the man who worked the stables with you?”
    “I don’t know.” He shrugged. “It just came to me. Is that bad?”
    She smiled and shook her head, leaning forward to brush another light kiss onto his cheek. “No. It’s perfect.”
    Peren freed her hand from his and scooped up the baby, planting a much larger kiss onto the top of the boy’s head. “I can officially welcome you to the world, little guy,” she cooed. “Keegan Boleslav.”

Five
    It was all so easy. Being with Keegan, with Peren, it all just fell into place as though it always was. Kaie didn’t need to try to make her laugh, and his son was as easy to look after as she promised. Except those nights he was especially tired, again just as she promised. All the emotional confrontations and angry demands were over with by the time she crawled under his blankets – managing to catch his ear with her elbow –