Sumi watched as Zarina wrapped her little hand around her finger. She saw the differences between a human baby hand and Zarina’s tiny claws, but they were soft and almost gel-like. Nowhere near as sharp – yet – as a human infant’s fingernails. And to think, Omira had been afraid of an Andarion baby clawing its way out of her stomach. Really, there was next to no difference between them from what Sumi could tell.

Squealing suddenly, Zarina leaned forward and started gumming Sumi’s chin. She wrinkled her nose at the odd, wet sensation.

“Oh my goodness. Sorry. She’s teething and has been latching on to everything around her.”

“It’s fine. Just unexpected.”

But not nearly as much as Zarina sighing and then placing her tiny head on Sumi’s shoulder before she wrapped her arms around her neck. She melted instantly. Closing her eyes, she savored the sweetness of that single action and the complete love and trust Zarina gave her.

What she wouldn’t give to have a house full of such preciousness.

Hauk’s gut wrenched at the look on Sumi’s face as she held Zarina against her. He could tell she was thinking of her own daughter, and it made him sick that they hadn’t been able to find Kalea yet. But what infuriated him was that she’d been deprived of holding her child at this age. Deprived of watching Kalea learn to walk and talk and do all the special things that marked the early years of a child’s life.

Damn you, Kyr. And damn The League his own ancestor had set up.

By the gods, he wouldn’t let her miss another year of her daughter’s life. Not for anything.

Wishing he could go back and protect them both from The League’s callous dictates, and her boyfriend who’d tried to kill them both, he drew Sumi into a hug and smiled down at them. He wanted to say something, but knew no words could ease the pain he saw in her eyes.

Nothing would, except the return of her daughter.

“She is a cute little toe-biter, isn’t she?” Fain asked as he made faces at Zarina and got her smiling and squealing again.

Sumi laughed at his comment. “She is truly precious.”

His grandmother smiled at them. “It’s been a long, long time since I’ve been so close to a baby. Yours is especially strong and beautiful, Highness.”

Kiara blushed. “Thank you, Ger Tarra War Hauk.”

“Please, call me Corinne.” She bowed respectfully. “Might I have the honor of touching your daughter, Highness?”

“Kiara, please. And yes. It would be my honor for you to touch her and honor her with the strength of the mighty War Hauk clan.”

Sumi carefully handed her to Dancer’s grandmother. A warm, loving smile lit her entire face.