His voice shook when he spoke, and tears I’m sure were warm streaked down his face. He said nothing. Just panted, while lines of salt water raced over old skin and then down our child. His forehead wrinkled, and he wiped at the tears on what Peter would call his grandson. “He... he looks like you... when I had you. So long ago… you were just as tiny.”

His lips thinned, and I widened my eyes to hold in a tear.

“Soturi...,” he said.

“Yes,” I said. “An heir.”

He nodded slowly. Others dismissed our Femeni. They thought they weren’t intelligent, but I knew better. Our old society might’ve dictated what he could do, but nothing changed what was inside. He was incredibly intelligent. Anyone that discovered the mostly harmless things I did as a child had to be. Still, he could see the implications in the tiny baby he held in his arms. He didn’t have to worry about the future. All the little stresses like wondering if I would be alone and what would happen to our kingdom. If not gone, then at least greatly diminished.

I would say I ‘let’ him hold our baby, but even kings have limitations. Removing my Oma’s grandchild if I would ever wish to do such a thing, would be impossible. He held my son against him until the mossy smell of satisfaction drew out as he spoke. “This is more... than I ever expected. I never thought I would hold him… smell him.” He gave a quick smile. “You’ve always been truthful with me, my son. Yet... I thought I was mistaken. Perhaps these old Oma ears heard wrong.”

I shook my head.

He let out a low soft breath. “I presume this means the other story is true?”

“As much as one can hope.”

He kissed the baby on the forehead and nodded to Peter who took him gently. Peter sat down next to my Oma, and I smiled at the two generations of Femeni together. My Oma’s head leaned back, and he stared off before he spoke. “This has never happened before. If something happens... what will you do?”

My voice was low. “I do not believe they intend you harm.”

“Will you blame them if the treatment is not successful?”

I breathed in deep and saw my chest muscles push out. “In the past, perhaps. There are new rulers now. However, I...”

“... don’t want to think about such a thing. I know.” He closed his eyes temporarily before he spoke again. “If you promise you won’t rush to judgment, then yes.”

I bit my lip, then gave him a King’s promise.

“Then my son, let’s see if we can still find another favor within the universe.”

***