Armana's Gift

LIAM/ZEVAN

Reshan had told him what he'd told Vera. Tell Nazani first and foremost. So he went to her personal maid and asked an audience. Before he did anything else, he had to guarantee his child's safety. He couldn't even bring himself to speak to Vera until he did that.

"Come." That clear voice rang out after one of the maid announced him.

He stepped in and knelt before Nazani, holding his breathe.

"What do you need to tell me, Zevan?" She asked mildly. "Ladies, you can all leave."

The personal maid left to wait in a separate room. Nazani must have realized that he needed privacy.

"Master Lornak bought a female to be my companion nearly nine months ago, Lady Nazani."

"Yes, I know, the Priestess of your love and sex goddess."

"Our passion, love, and fertility goddess, Lady Nazani. And that goddess has meddled a bit."

This made Nazani snap to attention. She narrowed her eyes on him.

"Meddle how?"

"The Priestess is pregnant with... she's pregnant with my child. I found out last night." He took a deep breathe. "We only had sex once and she was doing granting me... forgiveness in the eyes of her goddess. Normally, a relationship between Avium can go centuries without child. It's just who and what we are. We breed very slowly. This had been unexpected and-"

"And if you weren't slave, it would be seen as a great blessing," hummed Nazani. She pulled his face up to her's. "Why are you here?"

"I wanted to beg a favor. My child's safety. Not freedom, just his or her safety. And supplies to care for it, since the monthly money wouldn't be enough."

"If you were anyone else, I truly wouldn't see the big deal. I but I see the problem. Now we have two royal Aviums in the household." Nazani sighed. "Your goddess did meddle but I understand the love you already feel for the child, I do. You wish to protect it and I will offer this."

He locked eyes with her, desperate.

"I will see this child educated, since I won't tolerate illiterate servants. Luckily, none of you have been so far. I will see that you have everything you need for a healthy pregnancy, birth, and babe. I will see that the child works for me, and only for me. Boy or girl. At least until adulthood. The child will be collared. You and I know the collars have a bit of their own magic that allows them to grow with the body, as long as the growth is natural."

He nodded.

"Good. The child must be collared or Lornak will be furious. You and I will tell him together. You may keep you Priestess healthy and safe in your quarters." She stood slowly. "Let's go. Sometimes I wonder why I'm like this. This is going to start an argument, I know it is. I'm not sure what Lornak's feelings will be but the argument will be there anyways."

He followed her to her mate's office. She didn't bother knocking and barged right in, causing Lornak to snap his head up from his desk.

"Lovely, to what do I owe the pleasure?" He growled, in a way that Liam could only guess was supposed to be seductive. Then Lornak's eyes fell on him behind her. "Business. Of course." He growled more menacingly this time, at Liam. "What are you doing with Zevan?"

"He has news. I have given him my word in the matter. You will hear this all out, so you are aware of what is going on with your property." She smiled at him and Liam realized very suddenly that Nazani had no respect for her mate. She didn't even like him. As Lornak nodded, Liam realized that she ruled him. Not the other way around.

"My companion is pregnant," Liam spoke quickly. "And I went to Lady Nazani-"

Lornak's growl echoed off the walls.

"You went to my mate because she's female and would help more then I would." He snarled. "I should have you beaten for going to her and not me, you pie-"

"Stop it, Lornak. He did what any protective new father would. Don't judge him for it. Anyways, you would have come to me, leaving him in fear and asked me to figure it out anyways." Nazani snapped at him.

"He still should have come to me first. And how?" He snapped his eyes between them.

"We breed very slowly and it was by chance. We've only had sex once-"

"You've only bedded that curvy thing once?" Lornak cracked a smile at that. The anger was still in his eyes but that made him want to laugh. Liam didn't like this.

"Yes, Master Lornak."

"You can go, Zevan. I'll discuss with my wife what deal has been made without you here. I'll not force her to renege on her deal to you."

He turned and left. Two days in a row, he'd been in Nazani's presence and seeing her with Lornak, after seven hundred years, he realized why other dragons didn't mess with her. She was formidable and sharp. A blade that was always waiting for a reason to be unsheathed for something she wanted or believed in. He suddenly realized why Lornak liked her, even if she didn't like him.

He stumbled back into his room and looked at Vera's sleeping form. He had stormed out terrified earlier. He shouldn't have an he felt guilty for it. He should have told her at least what he was going to do, offer her some comfort. She was a pregnant female. She was precious beyond word because of that and even beyond that. She was just precious to him and he was terrified not only of the child but of how he felt.

He'd spent most of his life hating females, even as he protected them here. Refused advances even when he knew there was no chance of a child. Told no one who he was except Reshan, who figured it out partially on his own.

And there she was, auburn hair and beautiful red and blue wings. Breaking his heart a little every time he looked at her.

n:'yes';fon)w%l!