Wizard's Spawn

"It won't keep them out if they really want to enter, but it should make them think twice," Ardiel announced, breaking the silence.

"I won't challenge you," Dafydd said immediately. "But perhaps last night was not the chance encounter it seemed. There must be a reason the magic drew me here. Perhaps we are meant to be together."

The King caught his breath. Although he knew it was utterly inappropriate, just being alone again with Dafydd had his blood heating. It was all he could do to keep his distance.

"Oh gods! If only that were true! But Aerlith still needs an heir. How in heaven's name could the two of us manage that?"

But to Ardiel's bewilderment, Dafydd smiled at him. "Oh, I can help you there. Nature has an infinite variety of ways to reproduce—we'll just use a different method from the usual."

The only image that popped into the King's head was a seahorse. He remembered hearing about them as a child, fascinated that it was the male who carried the baby to term.

He gazed at Dafydd in horror, his hands going protectively to cover his flat stomach. Where the hell would it fit?

Dafydd laughed. "I was thinking more along the lines of salmon," he teased. "Where you would produce the seed, separately, and we would transfer it to a woman."

He lowered his voice. "And more than that, if you like. I'm a wizard, remember? There are ways of merging our seed to create a new life. Wizard's spawn."

"You can do that?" For a moment Ardiel felt a flicker of hope burn in his chest. Was it possible? Could he really put all the years of subterfuge and deception behind him? Could he have a loving relationship with the man he desired that lasted more than one soulless night, and keep his Kingdom?

Then reality crashed in.

"But the council would never stand for it. Not in a million years."

"I'm not so sure. I don't think they have a choice. Let's go and ask them, shall we?"

Dafydd led the way out into the hall. The Elders were still waiting, irritation showing plainly on their faces.

" Ardiel is my king. I won't challenge him," stated Dafydd in a calm voice, his arms folded across his chest.

"You must!"

"It's not up to you!"

"You don't understand! You have to!" Corwin was almost shouting, his face going red.

"No, I'm afraid it is you three who don't understand. Let me explain a few cold facts to you." Dafydd moved to stand beside the King.

"Fact number one, the magic has brought us together. A truth I think none of you will dispute?" He waited until he gained a reluctant nod or two before continuing.

"Fact number two, neither of us wants or needs a wife. What we need is a woman willing to be a surrogate."

The Elders stared at the two of them in shock, understanding dawning on their faces, words choking in their throats.

Dafydd continued in a reasonable tone, as if he were discussing what they should have for dinner. "That shouldn't be too difficult. Offer a worthy recompense and, once the King has heirs, she will be free to marry elsewhere at her leisure, if she wishes." He smiled at the Elders.

"Oh, and fact number three," said the King, taking Dafydd's hand gently in his. "We've fallen in love with each other. We might even get married."

And he brought Daffyd's hand up to his lips and kissed it.