A Fanged and Bitter Thing: The last book in the SWORD epic.

Feud:

Their hate, a fanged and bitter thing

Lulled by a mutual grief, had slept

Like a long dormant serpent now

It writhed within their hearts and crept

Reluctantly, a little stiff

And cold, to its accustomed place.

Where quickened by old fire, each saw

It coil upon the other's face.

--Edith Mirick