The Prince's Consort (Chronicles of Tournai Book 1)

by Antonia Aquilante

  It took Philip a moment to realize what Savarin was talking about, his mind was so focused on the investigation. He got it as he felt Amory’s leg tense under his hand. Philip gave Savarin his assent almost absently and looked up at Amory as the sorcerer walked to the door.

  If Savarin was going to get Jadis, it must mean the strange idea of Amory’s might work. If the answer was no, Savarin could have told them himself. He could see the same realization in Amory’s eyes in a swirling mix of hope and nervousness. Philip had mixed feelings himself. The idea of a child of their own was incredible. But he wasn’t sure of it, if it would work, if the risks of it were worth what could come of it. He wasn’t certain he wanted it to be possible, despite the powerful allure of a child.

  Jadis must have been waiting outside in the corridor, because he followed Savarin back into the room immediately, giving Philip no time to prepare himself for whatever the discussion would bring. Jadis bowed to him and Amory and then took one of the chairs across the desk as Savarin settled back into the chair he’d recently occupied.

  “So what do you have to tell us?” Philip asked.

  Jadis and Savarin glanced at each other and then turned back to Philip and Amory. It was Savarin who spoke. “We have both studied what Prince Amory found, and we believe the spell could work.”

  Philip looked up at Amory again, but there was so much in Amory’s eyes Philip couldn’t decipher it in one glance. He turned back to Jadis and Savarin. “Tell us.”

  “I’ll save you most of the details of the spell, Your Highness. Trust me when I tell you it is extremely complicated and takes real power to cast properly. I can cast the spell. At the same time, Prince Amory—we’ve been assuming Prince Amory would be the one to carry the child.”

  “Yes,” Amory said. “It would be me.”

  Savarin nodded. “All right, good. I would perform the spell, and at that time Prince Amory would drink a potion Jadis and I would brew together.”

  “Like the spell, the potion is complicated. The most complex I’ve ever seen,” Jadis added. “It involves impeccable timing and more ingredients than I’ve ever heard of in a potion, but we do have access to all of them.”

  “The spell and potion take two days to work. After that, Prince Amory would be capable of carrying a child. Whenever you choose to try to conceive, Prince Amory will have to drink another potion that will activate the magic of the original spell in his body,” Savarin explained.

  Philip took a moment to sort through everything Jadis and Savarin had said. He thought about asking for more details of the spell and the potions, but he wasn’t a sorcerer. His education in using his odd, and not particularly useful, Talent gave him no context for understanding most sorcery, let alone a spell of what seemed to be abnormal complexity. Instead, he focused on something else.

  “You said you assumed Amory would be the one. Does which of us would be the one carrying the child make a difference to the spell?” And didn’t it feel odd to talk about one of them carrying a child?

  Jadis and Savarin glanced at each other before Jadis answered. “Yes, it does. Amory’s healing Talent is the key.”

  “I barely have a healing Talent,” Amory said, but the protest had little heat to it.

  “But what you do have is a strong Talent for healing yourself. This is a delicate, complicated spell attempting to do something that does not occur naturally for you. It’s changing your body, Amory,” the healer explained, his expression serious. “Your Talent for healing yourself makes this possible. It allows the spell to work and ensures your body adapts and remains healthy while the baby is growing. Without that Talent, the spell wouldn’t have a chance of success.”

  Amory nodded, but in the way that said he was thinking about Jadis’s words more than agreeing. He was probably trying to filter them through what healing training he had, but Philip was thinking of something else.

  “If Amory’s healing Talent is important to the spell, does that mean there are substantial risks to him we should know about?” he asked.

  “There are risks, of course. There’s even a risk the spell won’t work, but I don’t believe that will be the case,” Savarin said.

  “If the spell does work and Amory does become with child, there are risks to Amory, as there would be with any pregnancy, but more so with this one,” Jadis added. “Any pregnancy can be dangerous to mother and child, but the male body wasn’t designed for childbearing so this one could be more difficult or uncomfortable, even painful, than average for Amory as his body accommodates the growing child. There may be some additional fatigue or symptoms because of it, but I believe Amory’s healing Talent will keep him healthy while he carries the child.”

  Philip didn’t like the sound of any of that. Jadis might believe Amory’s Talent would keep him safe, but the healer didn’t know. And Philip couldn’t risk Amory. He was about to say so when Amory spoke.

  “What about the, uh, birth?”

  A good question, one Philip hadn’t begun to think about and wasn’t sure he wanted to. He was too busy worrying over the risks of the entire endeavor.

  “Well, you can’t exactly give birth the usual way,” Jadis said, but he didn’t joke further, probably seeing that Philip, at least, couldn’t handle it. “More magic, both sorcery and some healing combined. Aside from the pains letting you know it’s time for the birth, the whole thing will be painless.”

  “Sounds as if I’d have it a lot better than women giving birth then,” Amory said, trying for the same teasing tone Jadis used. He smiled down at Philip, inviting him to share the joke, but Philip couldn’t.

  “I want to discuss the risks Amory would face,” he said to the two men across the desk.

  Some time and much discussion later, Amory closed the door behind Jadis and Savarin and came back to Philip. Amory perched on the edge of the desk in front of Philip. Amory held out a hand, and Philip slipped his into it, letting the connection ground him.

  “So,” Amory said, looking into Philip’s eyes. “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking….” What was he thinking? So many things, but mostly that he couldn’t bear to lose Amory. “I don’t think we should do this.”

  “You don’t?” Amory looked disappointed? Hurt? “You don’t want a child after all?”

  “I didn’t say that. And I’ve told you I don’t need a direct heir.”

  “And I thought we were talking about more than an heir. A child.” Amory’s brow furrowed. “Am I wrong about that?”

  He let out a frustrated breath and shoved a hand through his hair. “No, you’re not. Of course this is about more than an heir. And it’s not that I don’t want a child.”

  “Then what’s wrong? Why don’t you want to do this?”

  “I don’t want to do this because I don’t want anything to happen to you. Did you hear what they said? This could be dangerous for you.”

  Amory’s face softened. “Pip.”

  “You could be hurt. You could die. And I can’t lose you, love.” His grip tightened on Amory’s hand. “I can’t, not for this, not for anything.”

  “You won’t.” Amory cupped Philip’s cheek with the hand Philip didn’t hold. “You won’t lose me. Yes, there are risks, but you heard Jadis. He believes I’ll be fine.”

  “But he doesn’t know, and you can’t either. No one has done this before, or at least not for so long no one remembers it. Whatever they think, both Jadis and Savarin admit this could be dangerous for you, and I don’t want you hurt.” He continued before Amory had a chance to do more than open his mouth to reply, “Is it so terrible?”

  Amory blinked, thrown off from whatever he’d been about to say. “Is what so terrible?”

  “Us. Is it so bad with just us? Would it be so bad if it were just the two of us always?” he asked quietly, almost afraid of what answer he would hear.

  Amory stared at him for a moment, his face utterly blank with surprise, then flooded with emotion and aching tenderness. “Of course
not, Pip. If I get to spend the rest of my life with you, only with you, it would be more than I could have ever dreamed of having. I love you.”

  The relief he felt at hearing those words was shocking. He hadn’t realized he was so worried until Amory told him there was no need for him to be. “I love you too, so much. You’re everything to me. I don’t need anything else but you, by my side, forever.”

  Amory smiled at his words, which even Philip knew were overly sentimental, and leaned forward to kiss Philip gently. After a lingering kiss, Amory sat back and regarded Philip seriously. “I asked you once, but you said you hadn’t thought about it, and I’m wondering if you’ve thought about it since then. Do you want children, Pip? It’s all right if you don’t. I won’t be angry.”

  He had no doubt Amory wouldn’t be angry with him, but Amory might be disappointed if he wanted children himself. It didn’t change the answer either way. “It’s not that, love. I have thought about it—I could hardly not think about it after our conversation—and the idea of a child with you is an appealing one. But it doesn’t negate the very real risks to you. Aren’t you worried at all?”

  “I am. I heard everything Jadis and Savarin said, and yes, I worry about the risks.” Amory bit his lip. “And beyond them, I’m scared at the very thought of what I’m proposing I do. The idea is strange and… and not quite right, but I want to do it.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it would be our child, Philip, together. Not your heir, but our child, and I think you would be such a good father.”

  It almost hurt seeing the love and belief in Amory’s eyes. “I think you would too. But that doesn’t change how dangerous this is for you.”

  “Jadis and Savarin are the best there are, and they believe I’ll be fine. You trust them.”

  “I don’t trust anyone when it comes to your life. I’ve nearly lost you more than once recently, love.” The thought sent pain lancing through him, something of which must have shown.

  “Oh, Pip.” Amory leaned close and kissed him again, then rested his forehead against Philip’s. “Do you trust me?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Then trust that I do not want to leave you, and I wouldn’t do anything I believed would lead to your losing me. There are risks when women have babies. Perhaps they’re greater for a man, but I trust Jadis when he tells me my healing Talent will keep me healthy while I carry our child.” An odd look came over Amory’s face. “It sounds strange to say it.”

  “It sounds strange hearing it too.” He studied Amory. “You really want to do this?”

  “I do. And not only because you do need an heir, whatever you say about it. I never expected to want anything like this. I never thought about children before you, but I would like a child with you. Our child.” Amory’s eyes were serious, but a soft, gentle smile curved his lips. “But only if you want to. We don’t have to have a child, or we can wait a while if you’re not sure or not ready. You have to want it too, if we’re going to do this.”

  He looked at Amory, waiting so patiently for Philip’s answer, whatever it turned out to be. And if Philip didn’t give Amory the answer he hoped for, Philip knew it would be all right. In that moment, he loved Amory even more than he had before, something he hadn’t thought possible.

  He’d never thought of children either, not as anything more than the heir he was duty-bound to produce. But he could suddenly see a child with Amory’s eyes and dark curls flopping over his forehead and Amory’s sweet smile. He could see their child running through the gardens of Alzata and laughing while he and Amory watched. Maybe while Amory sketched. A stunning picture.

  Staring into Amory’s eyes, Philip felt a smile spread across his face.

  AMORY HAD assumed that even if Philip wanted a child, he would want them to wait. Perhaps he thought so because of Philip’s initial reluctance and concerns about the spell or perhaps because of the danger to Amory from the attempts on his life. Whatever the reason, he never expected Philip to agree he wanted their child and then want the spell performed as soon as possible. Yet Philip did exactly that.

  Amory could tell just looking at his husband that Philip was still worried, and he resolved not to pressure Philip about trying to have a child. Savarin and Jadis would perform the spell, but it would need a few days to take effect. Afterward Philip and Amory could try to get Amory with child whenever they liked, but they didn’t have to do it immediately. The spell was permanent so they could wait as long as they liked.

  The potion had taken Jadis and Savarin five days to brew. Which gave him five days to worry and think, even though he knew worrying made no sense. He didn’t regret the decision to go forward with the spell, and he trusted Savarin and Jadis. The spell wasn’t even the potentially dangerous part. And still anxiety made his whole body tense.

  Amory stood in the center of Savarin’s workroom while Savarin wove the spell, trying not to fidget. He’d been told to stay still, whether for the actual spell or for Savarin’s concentration, he didn’t know, but he supposed it didn’t matter. Philip had insisted on coming with him, and he leaned against one of the unadorned walls of the workroom, out of the way but very much present. Philip’s gaze never wavered from Amory, and Amory was so grateful for it. Ignoring whatever Savarin was chanting, Amory held Philip’s gaze, letting the love and support he saw there soothe him through the spell.

  The magic was so powerful even Amory with his limited Talent could feel it buzzing in the air around him. The intensity of the magic increased with each passing moment, more and more, higher and higher. Suddenly, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up straight. The magic swept through him in a cold rush, swamping his entire body and leaving odd, tingling sensations in its wake. His eyes widened, and he drew in a sharp breath, but he forced himself to stay still otherwise. Philip stood straighter, concern flooding his face, but Amory stared at him, trying to convey that he was all right. Philip couldn’t interrupt. Amory didn’t need him to; the sensations weren’t painful, just uncomfortable. He almost expected pain with a spell that would have such a monumental effect on him. He wasn’t upset to be wrong.

  After what felt like a very long time, the sorcerer fell silent. The cold tingles raced through Amory’s body, crawling over his skin, but he did his best not to react, hoping not to scare Philip further. Jadis stepped forward and offered Amory a cup.

  “Drink all of this straight down.”

  The potion was a deep shade of blue and seemed viscous. He wondered what was in it, but it was probably best he not know. He looked back up at Philip and downed the contents of the cup in one go.

  He managed to swallow without gagging, but it took some effort. “That is vile.”

  A wave of dread swept through him in the wake of his thoughtless pronouncement. He worried he had ruined the entire spellcasting by disrupting Savarin’s concentration, but Jadis laughed.

  “I know, but there’s nothing to be done about it,” Jadis said. “Give it a moment, and then you can have some water.”

  Philip bit his lip, amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes. Amory aimed a sour look in his direction, which didn’t help Philip’s efforts to keep from laughing any, but he couldn’t hold on to the disgruntled expression for long. He loved seeing Philip that way, smiling and mischievous, even if the reaction came at Amory’s expense. Philip grinned at him.

  He was so distracted by Philip and his brilliant smile it took him a moment to realize the tingles were beginning to subside. Gradually, the strange sensations lessened and faded away. Savarin peered at him intensely for a few moments and nodded, plainly satisfied by whatever he saw. Jadis handed Amory a glass of water, which he drank with gratitude.

  Jadis and Savarin stepped back as Philip came to Amory and took him in his arms. Amory melted into the embrace, overwhelmed. The experience hadn’t been painful, but it had shaken him nonetheless. He’d never experienced anything like what he just went through, and the spell marked the beginning of something he could
hardly imagine doing even after long consideration.

  “All right?” Philip asked.

  He pulled back enough to look into Philip’s eyes, to see the unconditional love and support there again. “Yes.”

  “Good.” Philip pressed a gentle, chaste kiss to his lips.

  When they separated, though not by much, Jadis and Savarin came forward again. Jadis handed Amory a stoppered glass bottle filled with pale green liquid. “Your other potion.”

  The one he would have to drink if he and Philip wanted to try for a child. The thought created a flutter of nerves in his stomach, but he didn’t want Jadis or Savarin to see his reaction. “Does it taste as bad as the last one?”

  Jadis shook his head in admonishment as Philip laughed. “Well, it’s not going to taste like sweets, Your Highness, but it should be better than the other.”

  “That’s a relief, but I’m not sure anything could be worse than that last potion.” He turned to a grinning Philip. “It really was awful.”

  Chapter 15

  “YOU—YOU really want to? Now?”

  “Yes.”

  Amory hadn’t looked away from the glass bottle and its pale green contents since Philip walked back into the room and set it on the table next to him. Amory was frozen staring at it, so different from his relaxed posture while they’d been sipping wine in front of the fire a moment before. Philip began to wonder if he had done something wrong by suggesting they try to conceive that night.

  Finally, Amory looked at him, his eyes large and bewildered. “I didn’t think you would want to do this so soon. You didn’t want to at all not long ago.”

  He sat next to Amory on the couch. “It’s not that I didn’t want to, that I didn’t want a child with you. I was scared something would happen to you. I’m still scared, love, but you’re willing to take this risk for us, and you believe it’s going to be all right. And I trust you.”

  “All right. But even so, I’d think you would want to wait until we find whoever is… whoever is trying to kill me.”