<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ffcc">Alexi reached over and picked up the glass of wine, draining it of its contents before setting it back down. He picked himself up unsteadily off the chair, partly pulling, partly leaning on Lucian until they reached the fire place. Alexi was still sober enough to know it was a foolish idea for him to try to light the fire, so it remained unlit as he sank down on the comfortable, thick rug, practically dragging Lucian down with him and planting his head on Lucian’s lap.</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#4dffa6"> “I never knew her… my mother. Ayla’s mother… She died giving birth to us.” </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ffcc">he said softly, still not sure if that was the best place to start explaining what was wrong.</span>