Kaya gazed at them a moment, just for a moment. Over the years, those pangs of quiet jealousy when she saw what they had began to disappear: she'd seen the best and the worst from the pair, and at their best, these three wonderful children came out. With her Bonded, she held few secrets, so he knew a little of the pains she was in now, missing Nokosi as she did.

But he had taught her something important: to appreciate very good thing you had, to cherish and hold it close to you. So she would remember those good things about Nokosi, and hold it to her, as she did with them.

I'm proud of you two, and them she said, ruffling the girl's hair. "Hey, let's go down to that knoll over there: I want to see how well you guys are doing with martial arts."