Vax didn't talk to Joanna about his twin sister often. Between his pain at missing her, and Joanna's of missing her children, it was maybe kinder to stick to distractions. But she couldn't watch him suffer alone like this, on their birthday.

Constance stopped her on her way from the bar to Vax's booth, shooting a glance his way, giving Joanna a plate of handpies, and asking "Try to get him to eat something?"

Sliding beside him into the booth, Joanna set both beer and food in front of Vax. Taking a sip from her own bottle of beer, after a moment, she said softly. "I remember Freya's first birthday apart from Frederick. I am so sorry, Vax."