Loxley Eames never dreamed he’d end up trapped within his own body, watching life play out around him. He’d watched his son grow into a determined young man and his daughter into the archeologist he always dreamed he could be. But, he couldn’t tell them how proud he was of them. Hell, he couldn’t say a word most days. Though the days he could think clearly were very few, they were a blessing. It was true he acted like a child most times, which he absolutely hated, but the times he was more like himself were the best times. The times when they all could laugh and be happy again.

The day the princes had taken them to get their dogs, Loxley could feel deep within his bones that his days were getting fewer and fewer. Not that he could remember the feeling, or communicate it to any person there. But it seemed the oldest of the dogs, that had caught Kira’s eye, knew. He knew Loxley didn’t have much time left, but chose him anyway. Since that day, he’d never left his side. One of the younger females drifted between him and Kira, but only when he was more like himeself. It was as if she was telling Kira when he was like the father she remembered.