Lira found him in the small recovery room at the end of the infirmary hall.

Hazel was sitting on the edge of the bed, back straight, like he was bracing for something. The twins were laid side by side on the mattress behind him freshly cleaned, wrapped in soft white blankets that the nurses had found somewhere. They were sleeping now, their tiny chests rising and falling in the same quiet rhythm.

He didn’t look up when Lira walked in.

She pulled a chair close and sat down without being invited. That was Lira’s way she never waited for permission to care about someone.

“Hey,” she said simply.

Hazel glanced...