Excerpt from MISTRESS OF THE EMPIRE:

     Saric's voice held a high note of awe.  "You would set your son on the throne as Jehilia's husband?"
     Mara spun fast as a cornered beast.  "And why not?"  Her whole body quivered with stressed nerves.  "He's a lawful contender for the divine office of Emperor."  Then, into the shocked stillness that followed, she cried out in heart-wrung appeal, "Don't you see?  Don't any of you see at all?  He's just a little boy, and it's the only possible way to save his life!"