those aquamarine depths.Iwill bind to you, Lassen said, his voice thready but decided.Rohyr grinned and leaned down once more to thoroughly kiss him.ChapterTwentyAvowalLassenseyes lit up as Dael handed him a bowl of honey sweetened spicedporridge liberally laced with chopped nuts and roseberry slices anddoused with fresh cream. When he entered the sixth and last month ofgestation, his appetite had increased accordingly. He smiledgratefully at his sire before happily tucking into the sumptuousdish. Dael chuckled and sat down to his own less humongous serving ofporridge. Mithre soon joined them, setting down a platter of steamingbuns, mild curd cheese and assorted fruit and a pitcher of hot milktea. He sat beside his lately arrived spouse, weaving their fingerstogether briefly before starting on his breakfast.Thesalty aroma that wafted up from the beach and the sound of watersoftly crashing against rock and sand were soothing accompaniments tothe familys meal. So was the sight of the vast expanse ofsapphire-hued sea dotted with ocean-borne vessels and seabirdsswooping down from their cliff-bound aeries to snatch fish andterrapins from their watery haven and carry them back to their hungrybroods. It was here, within sight of the lush Samaran Sea, thatLassen would birth his first child.Assoon as Lassen was hale enough, Rohyr had moved him to the safety ofthe seaward fief of Glanthar. Olriq Mithani was wed to a cousin ofRohyrs late parents, and he was loyal to his royal law-kin almostto a fault. His sons were part of Rohyrs faithful coterie andserved as his eyes and ears at court.Thefamily looked up when the younger of the Mithani brothers stepped outonto the covered terrace overlooking the sea. Ashrian merrily greetedthem before handing a large napkin-covered basket to Lassen.Complimentsof Abaand Adda,he said with a grin.Lassenuncovered the basket then laughed. He showed the stack of fruit creampasties to Dael and Mithre. Mithre chortled while Dael curiously tooka bite out of one. The senior Mithanis had apparently gotten wind ofLassens recently acquired taste for the Camaran sweets.Givethem my thanks, Ash, Lassen smilingly said.Ishall, Ashrian replied. Though I dont see the attraction.They are too rich for my taste.Mayhapits because youre not with child, brother.Aeldancame up behind him, his head of striking red-black tressescontrasting with Ashrians bright mahogany hair. Otherwise, theirresemblance was strong.Areyou suggesting Lassens liking for this is due to his condition?Ashrian asked, picking up a pasty and studying it with a dubious air.Aeldanshrugged. Well, I do recall Addabecoming a glutton for sweets when he carried you. He looked atMithre. What say you, Mithre-tyar?Mithremurmured confirmation while Dael could only shake his head indisbelief. Lassens parents were not used to being spoken to bythese nobles with such kindness and courtesy. They were nothing likeuppity Imcael. The Essendris were not all of a piece but it was stillsurprising just how different Rohyrs uncle was from the others.Rememberinghis manners, Dael asked the Mithanis to join them for breakfast. Thebrothers assented and soon they were all engaged in livelyconversation. It was this homely tableau Rohyr came upon when hejoined them a half hour later, Rysander Seydon and Keiran Arthanna intow, the latter attended by the Arthannas household adjutant RuomiGarvas.Lassensuppressed