Yet none of that turmoil showed on her face. Neither did it show on Hairan's.
She glanced at him briefly, her fingers tightening ever so slightly around his small hand before giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze.
Their gazes followed Ragnar as he stepped forward, and he bowed before Zeriel in a display of respect and gratitude. As Nheera studied him more closely this time, she began to notice what she had missed before, subtle details that now stood out with painful clarity. There was no denying it. He bore Zeriel's likeness.
Her mind began to race, thoughts colliding as she tried to piece together the truth of the situation unfolding before her. She did not look away from the boy. He could not have been older than seven or eight. She searched her memory, sifting through the countless rumors and whispered scandals that had once reached her ears, trying to recall if any of Zeriel's lovers had been with child around that time.
