to the third power

She gulped as Poem mentioned their "mother" and allowed Theory the gift of sharing in the title without corrections. Not "Poem's mother," just "mother." For just a moment she struggled to breathe as she let her sister's words pass through her ears and sink into her heart. Although they were both crying, this was a victory of sorts. They had made it through the worst of it all - she hoped. Although winter's chill threatened their moment of peace, all that existed was the warmth of Poem by her side and the strange lightness that her words provided. "I only ever did what she asked of me. I... I wasn't ready. But she did everything she could to prepare me," Theo choked. "I'm forever grateful for that." Shaye's imprint of her life was indelible. There was no way she would be leading the pack, being as brave as she could, or wearing the familiar blue feather otherwise.