---
"We'll discuss at council," he said. "First I must see to the hatchling."
Miryam struggled to climb out of her cradle again when Kai returned, determination blazing in her tiny eyes. He placed a smooth ramp of slate so she could descend without falling. She sniffed it suspiciously, then trotted down, claws clicking.
Luna watched from a short distance. She was holding the star milk bowl in her hand. Miryam tottered toward her. Luna knelt with a big smile. But when Miryam reached the last pace she halted, indecision flickering. Subtle fear tremors rippled through Kai's link.
He extended a psychic reassurance. Warm images of Luna feeding her, singing quiet moon-songs.
Miryam's scales faintly brightened. She inched closer. Luna held her breath, she was hopeful. Miryam bypassed her elbow and instead crawled onto Kai's boot, curling around his ankle.
Luna's smile tightened, pain masked as amusement. She set the bowl down and rose. "She will come around. I must try harder."
