Free razorsedge by Lisanne Norman Page B

focused on him or the ceremony he was conducting. It was on her daughter, lying in the priest's arms. Kashini was fretful, disliking being separated from her mother. Though silent, she was moving restlessly.

It couldn't last much longer, Carrie thought. Lijou had already confirmed that their new Clan was a legally designated branch of the Aldatan family, all that remained was the Validation of her daughter's birth.

Flanked by Kusac on one side and Kaid on the other, she was brought back to the present by a nudge in the ribs from each of them.

"Since the time of the Cataclysm, the Validation of every cub has been important, but especially so when she is the firstborn and Heir of her Clan. So it is with Kashini," Lijou was saying.

Carrie took a deep breath and forced her mind into stillness, aware of the concern for her emanating from the two male Sholans at her sides. She could feel their mental presences supporting and encouraging her for the part she must now play in the proceedings.

"It is time for Kashini's mother to come forward and claim her daughter."

She could feel her heartbeat start to quicken as she took her first steps away from her life-mates and the anonymity she'd had during her pregnancy.

Lijou's mouth opened in a gentle, encouraging smile as she slowly walked toward him and held out her arms to receive her cub.

With a purring trill of contentment, Kashini's ears flicked in pleasure and her hands, tiny claws extended, reached out to catch hold of her mother's long hair.

This was the part she was dreading. Holding Kashini close, she turned to face the gathering, trying not to see the sea of faces now in front of her. The inhabitants of both estates had gathered to witness the ceremony. A flash of sunlight on metal drew her eyes briefly upward to where the autovid hovered above Rhaema Vorkoh of Infonet. She looked away, trying not to think of the fact that her image was being broadcast all over Shola— and beyond, to Keiss, where her father and brother would also be watching.

Look at me, cub, sent Kusac. Forget everyone else. Remember only us and our family.

Her eyes met his, then flicked briefly to Kaid. From both of them she felt the same support.

"Carrie Aldatan, will you name Kashini's father?" Lijou was asking.

Moistening her lips, she glanced at Lijou before looking back to her mate. "My life-mate, Kusac Aldatan," she said, aware of and annoyed by the tremor in her voice. To one side of the Clan gathering, she could see the visiting Humans standing watching. Suddenly light-headed, she gave a small shudder, then Kusac was standing in front of her, blocking her view.

He touched her cheek with his hand before leaning forward to fold back the blanket that covered their cub.

You're doing fine, he sent. It's almost over now.

They're both so different from me, she thought involuntarily as she watched his dark-furred hands reaching down for their child.

The differences are only skin deep, you know that. His thoughts were a mental caress. Carefully he took hold of the cub, then turning, he lifted their newborn high above his head so the Clans could see her.

Kusac's voice rang out across the grounds. "Look well, Clansfolk, so that you'll know your Liegena, Heir to the only En'Shalla Clan."

The roar of acceptance from the throats of the several hundred Sholans gathered there was deafening. Kashini added her comments by beginning to whimper and squirm, ears flattened to her skull in distress. After the warmth of her blanket, the cold of the afternoon air on her uncovered pelt was disquieting.

Carrie had felt the mental sigh of relief from all the Sholans present as Kusac had held up their daughter: she was their Liegena no matter what her outward form, but in this time of rapid change, they were relieved that she appeared Sholan like themselves.

Kusac cradled Kashini in his arms before turning back to his mate and holding out a hand for the blanket. As they wound her back in its comforting warmth,