Bae's hand patted her still flat belly as Lei helped her dress for the feast. Prince Gimu had invited at least half the tribe to have dinner with them. He said it was a Kumaian tradition to eat a large feast on the eve of the Claiming.

"Hey little one," she whispered softly.

She hadn't really had much time to think about the baby that was growing in her belly but from time to time it would come into her mind and cause her to smile serenely. It was impossible to be unhappy when ...