Paks greeted the horse; the horse nudged her with its nose, and then she tossed the saddlebags up; they clung without tying. She turned to Arcolin. “You were the best captain I could have had,” she said. “And Matthis Stammel was the best sergeant. Gird’s grace rest on you and yours. Milady Calla, I am so glad to see my captain wed to someone who loves him … and you, young Jamis, are like to grow into a fine man.”

Jamis nodded silently. She mounted and rode away, out through the stronghold’s gates, down the road to Duke’s East, out of sight. “Will she come back?” Jamis asked.

“I don’t know,” Arcolin said. He put out his hand; Jamis took it, and Calla took his other hand. They walked back inside to the smell of breakfast cooking.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

The queen lay propped against pillows in her bed, eyes bright and a smile as wide as the kingdom on her face. The king came and sat on the stool a Squire placed for him beside the bed. Tucked into Arian’s arms were the two most beautiful babies Kieri had ever seen. The room smelled fresh with the good-luck herbs the midwives had strewn.

“Our children,” she said to the babes. “Here is your father.”

Beyond expectation, they looked at him, eyes appearing to focus. One—the girl—had wisps of pale reddish hair; the other—the boy—had light brown. Their arms moved, tiny hands opened. He offered each a forefinger; the hands clenched around his fingers. It was only the infant grip … but he felt more than that, more than he had felt with his other children. Surely no babes just born could recognize anyone but their mother.

“They are our hope,” he said. “And you, my queen?” He wiggled his fingers loose from those grips and stroked Arian’s hair.

“I am well. More than well, rejoicing in them and in you.” She grinned. “And I suspect you feel in them what I do. Both of them. My grandfather was right.”

Kieri nodded. “I was not sure it would survive their birth. Though it survived mine. And they have it from both parents.” He sighed. “Which makes it all the more important to see that they have guidance in its use from earliest childhood. I suspect some elves will not be pleased if they do have that ability. Your grandfather is resigned, I think, but others—and certainly the iynisin—will see them as enemies.”

“My grandfather will aid us,” Arian said. When he did not answer, she put out her hand to touch his. “I know you do not want to be his vassal, Kieri, but he is our best ally for now. The guards he sent have not sought to usurp your authority over the Ladysforest elves, have they?”

“No…” Kieri shook his head. “But—you know why I distrust even honest elves.”