Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot The Black Jewels Series belongs to Anne Bishop and I love her for writing it.

Methods of communication:
* * = Private Thoughts; ~ ~ = Threads; " " = Verbal

*** *** Chapter 3 *** ***

There's a small cottage, just outside of Halaway. A broken Black Widow lives there with her journeymaid companion. She is working in her garden when Jaenelle comes up the walkway.

"Liana, go inside…I must speak with the Lady." Tersa says with a cloudy look in her eyes.

The girl does as she is asked, stopping only to greet Jaenelle. She nods with reverence. "Lady."

Jaenelle nods back but keeps her eyes on the older witch. "Tersa, I need to ask…"

The woman looks into Jaenelle's eyes as her own eyes clear. "The boy is no longer a boy…The mirror is no longer a mirror and will not sire a mirror…He has grown beyond that…He is ready, but his Lady must lead this portion of the dance."

"I understand…" Jaenelle smiles a bit. "Thank the Darkness…"

"Have your own webs not told you these answers?"

"I've been afraid to look…" She replies. "…and I'm not anymore."

As the Lady walks away, the older witch resumes her activities calling out one last piece of advice. "Just ask the man, Lady."

The Lady walks through the doors of SaDiablo Hall. All who currently reside there feel her presence and one male craves it. She feels her husband's power flow through the only home she has ever known as she hands her cloak to Beal.

"Good afternoon, Beal." She says.

"Lady, Prince Sadi is in the study and has requested to be informed of your return." He answers.

"Thank you, Beal. Is anyone else with him?" She asks as she sends a tendril of power back to him.

"No, Lady, the Prince is alone." He replies.

A hint of sapphire enters her eyes while a hint of midnight infuses her voice. "Prince Sadi is never truly alone, Lord Beal." Witch says softly. "I have already informed him of my return. Please ask Mrs. Beal for a plate of fruit, cream and chocolate to be brought to our suite."

"Of course not, Lady." Beal cautiously takes a breath as he feels the slight chill in the air. "As you wish, Lady." Beal watches her go. He isn't surprised to see the High Lord appear next to him. They share a look before going about their business.

"Thank you." She says as she makes her way through the mansion. ~Daemon…my Prince? Join me please? ~ She takes a moment to send a thread to her loyal kindred companion. ~Ladvarian, tell Kaelas I need you both to stay away from the suite through the night. Daemon and I need time alone. ~

~Yes, Lady. ~ A hint of amusement comes back through his thread.

She walks into their suite and finds him already there. He looks worried. "I'm sorry I've been a bit distant lately. I've been trying to figure out the solution to a difficult problem. I don't know why the answer took so long to show itself." She says as he stops pacing to face her.

His surprise and a shadow of fear show perfectly on his beautiful face. "If you had just spoken to me, I could've helped you solve it, Lady."

"The problem involved…you."

He is startled. "All the more reason to seek me out…Mother Night, Jaenelle…what could possibly…?"

"It's nothing too bad, Daemon. I promise…Oh this is going all wrong… How do I do this…?" She asks herself. "The thing is…"

Jaenelle says. "That's just it, Daemon…I know you deplore when I put myself in a vulnerable position and I didn't know how to tell you that I feel a longing in my heart to do just that."

"I don't understand, Lady. How is my wish and duty to protect you a problem?"

She looks into his eyes. "Daemon, I want to have a child…There, I've said it."

"Vulnerable…" He stares at her. "Child…?"

Hope fills her heart as she sees the smile spread across his face.

He steps to her side and falls to his knees at her feet. "You want to have a child…? My child…?"

She rolls her eyes. "Of course, I want it to be your child…Silly male. You're the only male I'll ever want. You should know that by now." She holds onto him and combs through his hair.

His brow furrows as he considers her previous words and his own: Mother…Vulnerable…Child…

He shakes his head. "Hell's Fire, you had me frightened for a moment…Lady, I can see how you might think I'd not want…might object…but, Jaenelle, I'm ready to be father to our children… I've been feeling the same longing. You're right, of course, you would be vulnerable…but we can…I can and will protect you and the child…children…As long as you don't use more than basic Craft you'll be fine. I promise you." Daemon stands again and takes her hand in his.

"There-in lays vulnerability. I almost never use basic Craft. Most of my magic is more complex and potent than basic Craft allows for. I also don't like too much fuss…If I promise to do what I need to take care of myself and the baby, will you and the boyos as well as the staff just let me be?" Jaenelle asks.

"My Lady-wife, I can only promise that we'll try not to annoy you too much…" His lips twitch as he says this.

"Then the brew is now off the menu for us, Prince." She says with a proud smile.

A conversation deep within the Sanctuary of The Black Mountain:

"Witch and her Cons-s-sort will conceive before the month is-s-s ended."

"The Children of this Witch will be powerful indeed."