He smiled through his tears, and the resemblance to her father....to the man from her dream....was so strong it made fresh sobs tear from Eve's throat. "You were the most beautiful baby. You had your mother's eyes and your father's stubborn chin, and you screamed your displeasure at the world from the moment you were born. The healers said they'd never heard such powerful lungs."
Eve laughed wetly, the sound half-sob, half-genuine amusement. "My mom used to say I was born yelling and never stopped."
"Margaret was a treasure," Raphael said, his expression turning sad. "She loved you so completely. Raised you with such care. I am forever in her debt for keeping you safe when I couldn't reveal myself."
The mention of Margaret made Eve's chest tighten with fresh grief. "She's dying," she whispered. "Days, maybe hours. The cancer.....there's nothing more they can do."
"I know," Raphael said gently, and something in his tone made Eve look at him sharply.
"You knew? About the cancer?"
