*deep breaths* If you read Mirror Sight . . . . you just know and understand.
Two Years after the Battle of Sacor City
Karigan shifted in her seat, trying not to make such an obvious display of craning her neck to see the visitors to the throne room. Her back protested the sudden movement and she subtly settled back down with only a slight wince. The state of her second pregnancy was not as much of a trial as her first, but all the same, it would pleasant to have the functional use of her whole body again.
The Lady Yolandhe and her consort, a rather polished looking General Isleigh, swept into the room gracefully. Karin had been brought forth from the nursery to see the special guests and now sat on her father's lap, her bright eyes taking in the excitement in the room.
Yolandhe immediately went forward with her arms outstretched in a universal gesture of give-me-the-baby. And Karin was too happy to go to the lady with the glittering necklaces.
With the princess on her hip, Yolandhe acknowledged the monarchs of Sacoridia with a regal bow of her head. Her gaze turned to Karigan and she gave a beatific smile, 'How busy you will be with three children."
Karigan blushed slightly and placed a hand on the growing bulge of her stomach, the other reaching for Zachary. He grasped her hand tenderly and looked back at Yolandhe. 'And you, my lady? Perhaps there shall be a little Mathias running around in the future,' he teased.
General Isleigh flushed to the roots of his scalp while his wife laughed gaily, 'Perhaps one day. I find I have my hands full these days. Which comes to the purpose of my visit.'
Zachary grinned, 'We have been receiving your letters, but of course, hearing it in person would be more satisfying.'
'The taint in the seas has all but disappeared,' Yolandhe chuckled as she tickled Karin. The little girl, who now had a headful of golden brown curls, squealed and grabbed at Yolandhe's fingers.
'And the spirit of your cousin is at peace,' she said softly, looking back up at Zachary and Karigan. The queen's gaze softened as she asked, 'You were successful then?'
'Dragonfyre purified his remains and my . . . actions ensured that his soul will not be lost after all,' Yolandhe remarked sadly, looking affectionately at her consort. The general made a gruff noise and reached out to grasp her shoulder consolingly. 'My immortality for his soul. I feel it was a fitting arrangement for I now chose to live out the rest of my years with my beloved.'
Zachary's brow furrowed. 'And what of your relationship with the dragons? Will they resume their solitude at sea?'
Yolandhe smiled, 'Oh, they won't be leaving anytime soon. Not with all the attention they are getting, the overgrown peacocks.'
'And where will you settle?' Karigan asked, noting how easily her child took to Yolandhe's embrace. Perhaps a family of her own was not out of the question after all.
'With the general's imminent retirement-,' Isleigh gave an indignant huff, '—I find that I will be given to a period of travel first. Sacoridia has gone through many changes since I truly visited last. It would be pleasant to take a tour without the threat of war looming in the distance,' she remarked dryly.
Zachary stood and moved to take a now sleeping Karin from Yolandhe, 'Of course, you are welcome here in the castle whenever you choose.'
Yolandhe gave a small curtsey, smiling at the king and queen, 'Thank you Firebrand, I believe I shall upon my next visit. Tonight, my soldier has promised to take me to a tavern,' she said brightly, turning on her heel and almost dragging a groaning Isleigh behind her.
Karigan slowly lifted herself up, only reluctantly accepting help from a fussing Laren and moved to Zachary's side. She touched Karin's rosy cheek in farewell as Willis, one of Karin's favorite people, moved to cradle the sleeping princess to his chest and transport her to bed. Normally a duty for a nurse, Willis had eagerly offered to assist the new parents as Karigan began to require the help of others. With two babies on the way, they surely would need all the help they could get.
Willis murmured to Karin as she shifted in his arms. Tucking her blanket more securely, he strode out a side corridor with another of his peers.
The king and queen watched her go wistfully but were equally happy they had people around them they could trust with the safety of their children.
Zachary turned to Karigan and slipped an arm around her shoulders, walking slowly to accommodate her. She scowled at him, but leaned into his frame as she climbed down from the dais. 'Perhaps this was the last trip downstairs,' he mused.
Karigan glared at him, the glowing features at odds with the ferocious expression. 'I need exercise. You can't keep me cooped up in our chambers until I give birth.'
He grinned at her, 'I didn't say you wouldn't get exercise.'
She looked back at him with a mischievous smile of her own.
Still more. Haven't given up.