Armana's Gift

LIAM/ZEVAN

He pushed into the room hours later and saw her, standing up from prayer. He loved coming back to this at night. It made his heart soar and made everything seem a little more right in the world.

"Vera," he called out, "I have great news."

She turned to him, a smile toying on her lips.

"Oh?" She walked him as he closed the door. She pulled on a robe, something the females had made for her when Lornak had bought a slave who could tailor. They even had real shirts again for the females. Any extra cloth went to them, the males didn't need shirts. Now, however, they could buy cloth and books and his heart pounded.

He pulled her to him and dove in for a kiss, lifting her and swinging her around.

"Lady Nazani has given us something wonderful," he laughed, her face full of shock as he explained everything.

"We still need to be careful," he added at the end. "But it's happening. Our lives are going to get a little better. Since then, Nazani has chosen female Aviums are personal maids and telling them all sorts of things. Nazani has actually always wanted to visit Avium and she avoided because of her own guilt over their slavery."

"It's common knowledge that she and Lornak are only in a marriage of alliance," Vera replied, running her hands down his chest. He growled from the pleasure of it.

"How are you, love?" He asked, a grinning fighting on his lips. She seemed a little withdrawn but he was still so happy.

"I have something important to talk to you about. I... I did a rite while you were away this morning." She was unsure and he wasn't sure what she was trying to say.

"Just tell me, darling," he whispered to her, suddenly fraught with worry. Was she hurt? Upset? Did something happen?

She pulled him to the fireplace and pointed to the bowl. It was an oval and while it wasn't the proper bowl, he knew then what she had done.

"You don't have the fertility mark," he whispered. "Why are you doing a pregnancy rite?"

He heard her give a deep, shaky breath.

"I concealed it along with my magyck. You can't see it, but it's there," she sounded afraid. He turned at saw her wringing her hands painfully. "I didn't think our one time would take root, since it's very rare for it to happen. I definitely didn't want a child here, but..." she pointed. "The rite went north, positive. Liam, you're going to be a father."

His world collapsed around him. His fear swelled through him, he stumbled back.

"No," he growled. "I can't be a father, I can't."

"You are the-"

"You don't want my children, Vera!" He roared. "If I knew you had a fertility mark, I would have never bedded you!"

He watched her eyes fill with tears and she nodded slowly.

"I know, children here would be awful but-"

"No, Vera," he hissed. "Children with me is awful and I damn sure didn't want any."

He watched her flinch and take another shaky breath.

"Why, Liam?" She bit out at him. "What is so wrong with a life you helped create?"

He growled. He knew he would have to tell her. There was no other way now. She had to know, because this was bigger then them and the child. This was bigger then slavery.

"Liam, answer me," she commanded softly.

He had always admired that tiny bit of bravery in her. She could so glorious in her hurt and anger. And he had done both to her just now. He had hurt her and he had pissed her the fuck off.

"My name is Liam Demetrius Regis," he snarled. "I am the son of Queen Rianda and her husband Demetrius Folcin. And the child you carry could very well be an heir to the Throne of Mon' Avium."

He watched her pale, and even in his fury, he caught her as she fainted. He took her to the bed and laid her down gently.

He stepped back several feet before collapsing onto their stone floor.

A child. He was going to be a father. He heard a knock on his door and barely could call out to answer.

Reshan walked in and looked at him in shock. At much shock an owl could manage anyways.

"Is something wrong?" He asked softly. Liam nodded slowly and Reshan closed the door the door behind him, still keeping Liam's eye contact.

"I'm going to be a father," he breathed out and watched Reshan pale as well.

"She..."

"Hid her fertility mark from those who captured her. I assume the collar made it stay hidden as well." He shook his head at the doomed nature of this. "She fainted when I told her who I was. She had no idea. And Nazani knows who I am as well. This day-"

"Is still a good day, you are just going crazy. Surely Rianda or Trissande have had another heir at this point." Reshan snapped. "Your child may be safe and that's if it's a girl. If it's a boy, then there's nothing to worry about."

Only Royal females could take the Throne, with those pure white wings Juneta gave them. If Trissande had a daughter before Rianda had a female in her line, then he wouldn't have to worry. Rianda's line would be over and Trissande's daughters would take the Throne after Rianda then Trissande. His daughter would be born a normal Avium, since the Royal House only ever progressed down one line if there were two sisters. It was ancient magic that Juneta, their lead goddess, had done to keep the royal House from becoming big enough to cause infighting over the Throne. It also kept the Royal House very small, especially with ales being more common nearly four to one in Aviums.

If Trissande, his aunt, had no daughters, then his child could be a daughter and the heir to Rianda's Throne, stuck here as a slave. It would destroy the Royal House in Mon' Avium. He didn't know if he even had any siblings to carry it on. There was too much unknown.

A stirring on the bed and they both looked to Vera, who was sitting up slowly.

Liam didn't move but Reshan went over to her and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Darling, Priestess, how do you feel?" He asked softly, petting her hair from her face.

"I'm fine, Reshan just..." She looked to Liam. Liam nodded.

"He's always known, you can talk to him." He croaked out to her.

"I'm shocked? Surprised?" He watched her face look for the words.

"Can you answer some questions for me?" Reshan asked softly, continuing to comfort her while Liam was a living invalid in his misery on the floor.

"Yes."

"Good, what do you know of the current status of the Royal House? It's important."

Liam watched her pale again and Reshan continued to pet her hair. He watched tears well in her eyes.

"Rianda lost her fertility before having a second child," she choked back a sob. "Trissande has two sons with no children. It's been a problem for decades. There are no heirs after Trissande if Rianda passes on."

This time Liam fainted.