L. Modesitt: Heritage of Cyador

… I have always hoped for better relations between Afrit and Cigoerne. That was why I dispatched you and your companies to assist Duke Atroyan, as you well know.

In time, once matters have settled slightly, I would hope that we might see you and your consort, either here in Cigoerne or in Swartheld, a possibility I had thought might never be practical in my lifetime. Nor did your mother and I ever entertain the possibility that we might have grandchildren ruling differing lands.

As for your aunt, I can only wish her the best. I have written her as well to tell her that. We will miss her, and Ryalah will miss Amaira, but they both deserve what happiness they can grasp in an uncertain and changing world.

Lerial nods as he reads those words, his hand resting lightly on Kyedra’s shoulder, making it slightly easier for him to sense already the life within Kyedra, although he cannot tell whether the child will be a boy or girl. Either way, he and Rhamuel, and Kyedra-especially Kyedra-will work it out.