I was happy to find Thaddea recovering some of her old vigor once the pressure of leadership was removed from her shoulders, though Orin, Pharo and I still doted on her as though she were-and she was-a precious gem requiring meticulous care.

Burdie's heavy-handed control of her daughter didn't lighten after Lilibeth's successful attempt to stand up to her mother. In fact, if anything, the pressure only worsened. I loved Burdie with all my heart, but she was a force to be ...