Lion Head Mesa in sickness, in health—

"of course, divine one," tavina assured, kissing the young face as smoothly as she might have with another child, forgetting herself for a moment — toula was not a child and she was an untouchable paragon of divinity now.

with all else save tavina.

she dried the happy tears and moved to mix a dandelion draught, its bitterness cut with a small amount of blackberry pulp. "i was with your mother and your father was in the hall. as each of you were born, i went out and i told him. he came to see you and your siblings, just for a moment."

she directed toula to drink now.

"his face changed each time i spoke. i watched him marvel at you. and in eight days he returned, to give proper names of the kingdom."

tavina's eyes were soft, remembering.