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!"
