She was more than happy to have her mom up and about again. She was elated! Now Malleah could play with her instead of just watching her play with Myrria and Exodus. It was cause for celebration! She had tried her best to be patient when Exodus told her to be gentle with her mother, that she needed to heal. She had tried to be on her best behavior so she could help her mother get better. Myrria was great to be around but when Exodus was there too, Lucia could feel the tension in the air. For some reason, Myrria didn't smile at her father like Malleah did. Lucia understood enough that Exodus wasn't her father but she never saw him be anything but nice to her. He hunted for all of them and tried to make conversation. He told stories and involved everyone, but Myrria seemed to clamp down when he was around.

Lucia knew she had stayed behind to speak to Exodus when they followed him to the tundra but she didn't know what happened. Myrria wouldn't tell her and she didn't want to bring it up to Exodus in case he wasn't supposed to know she was there. She watched Malleah more now that she was healthier. She admired her mother, after all. She always had. She saw her mother as strong, even when she was weak. She felt the hard looks even when her mom thought she wasn't looking but she forgave every single one of them. Malleah was her mother and she loved her. That would never change.

She felt a change in her mother, overnight, it would seem. Some sort of grief could be seen in her eyes even though she tried her best to hide it. Lucia had gotten good at being sneaky and seeing others even when they thought they were alone. She saw her mother's pain and she hated it. She wanted to take it away more than anything. When she was around Malleah, she started snuggling up close like she used to when she was smaller and less excitable. She tried to cuddle up with Malleah and lick her cheek and smile adoringly up at her anytime she could. She was trying to cheer her up, any way she could.

When she came into the den this time, her mother's voice rang out and she paused, pricking her ears to listen. When her mother asked where she had been, she practically beamed at Malleah, her eyes lighting up.

"With Aeon, of course. He's going to help me find treasure!"

She cheered wildly. Her mother gave her a warning about night creatures and she moved closer with a giggle, rubbing against Malleah's legs.

"Oh, mother, you're silly. WE are the night creatures. And nobody can defeat you, daddy, and Mia. No one can."

She said with full confidence that she was right, an axiom that her mother would have to believe, cause she sure as heck did.