Wheeling Gull Isle wordlessly watching, he waits by the window

Only a few mistakes—that was natural—but it was good on the whole. Very good. She smiled, enchanted by his attempt, and knew that Jaes was listening.

Well done, she praised him, dipping her head. And if you hear a new voice, an unfamiliar voice, you will know that you have been heard. I will ask Jaes in my later prayers to hear you, too.

What did she pray about, these days? The safety of her unborn children was paramount. She prayed for Sakhmet's welfare, wherever she was, and that of the children not of her flesh that were scattered across the wilds. Elfie. Rowan. Scarab. The young wolves she had mentored; she knew at least Rowan had grown up to be a fine man, and knew that the others were on similar trajectories.

And for Mou, of course, to keep him healthy and out of trouble. For Blue, somewhere in the south with his family. For Ramsay and Euron—were they even still alive, or had this world taken them, too? For Moonshadow, Venninne, Coelacanth, Relmyna's daughters—

And now for Pharaoh, so that he may be heard by Jaes.

What do you pray for? she asked, suddenly curious about what was on his mind.