New Terrasen

It had been years since Queen Aelin Ashryver, Fire heart, the Heir of Brannon and ruler of Terrasen had decimated the King of Adarlan and restored the peace, eventually rebuilding her kingdom. But now Aelin, once called Celaena, desired an heir. It was the next logical step and would cement her rule, making the few that wanted her deposed even less able to do so if her line were to continue. She was still unmarried, having found no viable alliance with other rulers through marriage and refusing to be bound to any other in a way that would diminish her rule. The only problem was deciding who the father of her child would be.

King Dorian was now married, and quite in love, Chaol had returned to the guard, but was now at a higher status under Dorian. He was still unmarried, but he and Aelin had decided to remain friends, having grown apart too much to continue being intimate. Aedion was like a brother to Aelin and therefore out of the question. The only candidate left was her forsworn, her right hand, the first of her court, her carranam: Prince Rowan Whitethorn. He was one of the few full-blooded elves to follow her from Wendlyn, and the person she trusted most in this world.

He was a strong fighter, having been under blood oath to Maeve in Wendlyn and forced to fight for centuries. His magic was strong, and his skills with weapons equal if not greater. He was also her closest friend, her carranam, her confidant. She thought he would be the perfect father. But there was one problem. He had had a mate once, who had been murdered while he was away during war, and the baby she had been expecting had died with her. Rowan had shown no inclination to start a new family since then and she doubted that even she could change his mind.

Aelin left the throne room, having finished with her audience with visiting ambassadors from Adarlan and other countries. Having finally convinced Aedion to leave her side, as the walk from the throne room to her wing of the palace would not take long or be dangerous, she enjoyed the short walk in peace, the first moment she'd had to herself since she woke. As always, Rowan was waiting by her door, her ever vigilante protector. He followed her into the bedroom and settled into the high backed chair that sat in front of the fireplace, his favorite place in the wing.

Aelin sat down on her bed, bracing herself for his response to her proposal. "I have been considering Terrasen's future these past few months. A marriage is out of the question, bringing another ruler into this monarchy would cause more trouble than anything else…but there does need to be an heir."

Rowan remained undeterred, "and by that you mean?"

"I want to have a child, both as safety net and also because I truly want a child. But in order to do that I need someone to father that baby. I have been considering who to ask, and each time that I have calculated the outcomes, you have been the only good choice. But I know that you desire no child or relations with me, so I'm at a dead end."

Rowan's face barely showed any distinct change, save a miniscule tightening of his jaw. He was silent for what seemed like hours before responding. "Lyria…was my mate. I was devoted to her completely until her last breath and even after. I lost a lifetime with her and any with my son. We would have had a son, the monsters who murdered her ripped him from her womb as they killed her. It made their deaths even more painful. I named him after her father and buried them under the same headstone. Sang them to rest with the same lament. I swore to myself never to see another woman, save during my battle rage after a war when I could not stave myself. I twice swore never to start a family. But everything I promised, much like my oath to Maeve, changed when I met you. After that first night you burned out, even more after you became my carranam. Lyria loved me enough to let me go, and if she were her I think she, in her hidden wisdom, would tell me to take this proposal, to be happy."

Aelin saw the glint of tears in his eyes. "You do not have to do this, I am not forcing you and I never will."

"That is just it, Aelin. I want to, more than anything, definitely more than I ever should. My dreams of family and children died with Lyria, but I began questioning my promises after you. I don't want any children of yours to be fathered by anyone other than me. I won't let it happen, I can't let it happen. I want your children to be mine."

"Unite the bloodlines of Brannon, Mab, and Mora? The houses of Ashryver and Whitethorn? You would do this?"

"Yes, my Queen." Rowan rose from his chair, as slowly and calculated as the bird of prey he embodied. He approached her, a primal element ensconcing his features. She stood, unable to break his gaze. He towered over her, not caring that he dwarfed her and left her no room to breathe. He cradled her face in his hands, and with a smile, kissed her with joy in his once dead heart.