Page 95 of God of Vengeance

“Indeed, it is.”

“Speaking of a big world, how is my nephew faring in yours?”

The subject shifted from Addax and Essien to Lance le Kerque, who still kept the le Kerque surname. At least for the time being. Much had happened on that front, too, in the past several months.

“He is doing well,” Rhys said. “He may not bear the de Lohr name, but he has the heart of a de Lohr. Lance is the garrison commander of one of my brother’s smaller outposts at Marzan, and I’ve heard that he has met a local lass that he intends to marry. He’s well liked by the villagers at the castle, so I think the move to France was a good one for him. As long as he remained in England, he would be forever under the de Lohr shadow, but in France, he is simply another good knight. We are fortunate to have him.”

A smile tugged the corners of Christopher’s lips. “I am glad to hear it,” he said. “He has finally found a place where he belongs.”

“He has.”

It did Christopher’s heart good to hear that. “I know David remains in regular touch with him and their relationship has reached a cordial level, but you are right,” he said. “If Lance remained here, he’d forever be in the de Lohr shadow. This way, he is a man of his own, serving a duke. There is prestige in that.”

More cheers from the field distracted them, and they made the decision to head over to the mass competition, leaving the House of al-Kort reveling in their reunion. Before the hour was out, however, Amare and Kiya met their son’s wives and their grandchildren, truly a remarkable day for all concerned.

The House of al-Kort was whole once again.

For Essien and Catalina, it was particularly poignant. Three months later, on a cold winter’s night at Vinovia Castle in Cumbria, a little boy came into the world, helped in his efforts by his grandmother, Kiya. She was the first one to hold the child, who was named in the tradition of his father’s name—an Egyptian first name followed by names from his parents’ heritage.

Osiris Bodhi Cristopher was a big name for a very little boy.

And Amare was the second one to hold him.

But his mother and father were proud of the name, proud of his bloodlines, and proud of his origins. They were proud of the deep and abiding love they shared that had created him. While Catalina slept in the wake of her son’s birth, Essien sat up with Amare, holding Bodhi long into the night, for on a night not dissimilar to this one, Amare had sent his sons into the unknown to save their lives. But on this evening, the world came full circle for them all. Life for the House of al-Kort, instead of ending, was renewed.

Jab tak ham dubarah nihen malin ge.

Until we meet again.

When Amare had spoken those words, he meant it.

Finally, so had Essien.

*THE END*