Rune and Ruin

28 - A Plan

391 B.C.E. - High Southern Plains of the Tasuri Peninsula, Base of the Shaper Mountains, Spring, Month of Lunius

Falx

My demon screams in triumphant joy. Laughing, I pick Thania up and twirl her in a circle. Her berry lips are turned down in an adorable pout echoed by her thoughts. She wanted to surprise us with this news.

"Gods," Tems chokes out, taking her from my arms and pressing his mouth to hers. "A hatchling," he rasps. Like mine, his wings flutter behind him, uncontrollable with the news. Clutching our female to his chest as if he is a hatchling and she is his favorite toy, he snaps at Brennus, "Wolven. You are certain?"

"I can scent the pup in her," the shaper king replies. There is no reason to doubt him. Shapers often have a superior sense of smell. It's the only thing they excel at, in my opinion.

Thania's sister, a paler, duller version of my Flammatia, begins to cry. "What will happen to you, Thania?"

Thania pats Tems's bicep, and reluctantly, my oath-brother sets her on her feet. "Nothing will happen to me, Tea. This is good news."

Teadora's eyes dart between Tems and me, taking in how large we are, how heavy our muscles are, and how thick our scales are. I'm sure she's wondering how a small creature like my female can safely bear a Tasuri hatchling.

Sweat dots my brow. My demon hisses, curling his tail around his form and staring hard at our female. I reach out and curl my arm around her waist as Tems sets her back on her feet, his own eyes going wide and red with worry. In unison, we turn to stare down at her, the bond echoing with thoughts of our female, bloody and torn apart by a hatchling too large for her delicate frame.

"Stop it," Thania scolds us gently. "I had Leda, didn't I?"

I notice how she doesn't say it was easy or safe. Tasuri females are lucky enough to lay their unborn, necessary because of the scales, horns, and wings. Halflings often are born more like an Acera child, but... fuck. The idea of live birth isn't new, but gods damnit, the risk to Thania.

"You're being foolish. You want more children. How did you think they would arrive? By boat?" Thania says wapishly.

"Brennus," I call out to the bemused shaper king. "We will honor the alliance and march on Rune. In one hour, we meet and plan our attack."

Brennus nods, then grabs Teadora's hand, ignoring how she tries to pinch his skin in retaliation. "One hour," he agrees.

The shapers quickly return to their lines, Brennus towing Teadora behind him. I shrug. My demon cared nothing for the female beyond making Thania happy. Let Brennus figure out his own problems.

"My sister is not a problem, Falx Fyrrin." Thania scolds me as I grab her and carry her back through our warriors, Tems at my shoulder. "Wait! I want to speak with my sister further, Falx!"

"You'll need rest. Food. Marcus will know what is best to eat." I reach our claimed cave in no time, barreling through the curtained door to my mother's gasp of dismay.

"What happened?" my mother cries out. "Has Thania been injured?"

I lay her on our pallet as gently as I can.

"Falx!" Thania protests.

Before this bond, blessed twice by the gods, Thania would have no idea how the demon lurking inside me reacts to my name on her lips. Now, she falls silent, blushing fiery red.

I kneel next to her and kiss her mouth as she huffs, embarrassed.

"Thania is carrying," Tems explains to the gawking onlookers in a soft, proud voice.