Marian was in the kitchen trying to make dinner. Or at least enough of a dinner that would feed her warrior husband who had been more snarly over the past few days and was right now taking care of something for the family . Some that she could only presume would only have his temper soaring by time he returned. But then again why had he commutated to her through the purple dusk thread only to tell her that he was bringing a pup home for their son. No something in the way he had asked sounded to much like he was asking permission before he did it. And that caused her to worry and start making dinner. She had to do something that was calming to her although right now the smell made her want to gag.

She cured herself once more. Why had she wanted another child? Oh , yeah because she wanted to see if she could have a daughter who could help keep her brother out of trouble. Wanted a daughter to help keep her father ……. No a daughter would never sooth Lucivar's temper. If anything it would only give him cause to keep every living male from the eyrie for the next thousand years or better. Marian sighed. After all there was no guarantee that she would have a daughter. If anything she would have another little beast flying around tiring her husband out faster then fighting off the jhinkas.

Lucivar landed outside of his eyrie. It was still standing which was always a good thing but he was picking up on Marian's mood. Not quite grumpy but not happy either. No she felt more annoyed then anything. He hadn't forgotten something important had he? Her birthday….. No that wasn't until the summer. And their anniversary wasn't until spring. Her moon days… he counted not for…. He counted back and snarled. Checked his glide as he entered the kitchen.

Narrowed his eyes at the knife in her hand and the roast sitting on the counter. Knew how good of aim she had with that kind of knife. Would keep his temper. Would because it was his fault for not counting the damn days before now. Remembered the two puppies he held in his arms. Forced himself to calmly say, " do you like them?"

Marian turned around and set the knife on the cutting board. " oh they're darling. Where did you ever find such cute puppies……" she paused, " I thought you were only bringing one home ."

He vanished the knife so to prevent her from reaching for it. Then softly spoke, " the male is for our son…. The female I brought just so she wouldn't be alone. Besides Daemon thought you would like her."

He looked to innocent . To knowing of something. And he hadn't said where he had found them…. Her eyes narrowed into tiny slits, " and they came from?"

Oh he knew that look. It was the look that he would be sleeping somewhere else except beside her. Or would if he didn't turn her mood, " they came from the Hall. As I said Daemon thought that they would like to live here." he waited till she started to think then said, " besides it will give you something to do for the next few months with out doing more then sitting quietly."

It was then he stepped over to her and had her pinned to the counter and purred in her ear. " if you would have told me before I left I would have had someone come sit with you."

" oh." she blushed, " I didn't want to bother you when you were already all prickly…… yes I think that's how Jaenelle described it. Besides I wasn't alone. Tassel was here as was your son."

" I see. And who was watching you wile you were watching them?"

" I…… .I … " she started to sputter. Realized her meat cleaver wasn't behind her, " I am perfectly capable of …." she could finish speaking when Lucivar pressed his lips to hers. Didn't want to when he started to twirl her around knowing that it would make her sick. Didn't argue when he sat her in the chair and finished dinner.

" no I believe we reached some agreement before you convinced me to stop taking the brew…."

"mmmm. I don't…."

" yes I believe I have it here some where in your own writing." He called it in." yep here it is . No cleaning, cooking or doing anything to make me get snarly for no reason. So I think until the baby is born I will hire a maid and cook this time."

" I can…."

" no Marian we are not going though that again. You can rest., shop if I'm with you and work on your weaving or read. Yes reading would be perfect. But not more than that. Not right now."

She could see him fighting some kind of inner battle didn't know what. Knew it had nothing to do with her right now. " what's wrong?"

Lucivar hung his head, " Daemon was caught in a dream web and until I can be sure the events he saw won't come about…… Marian, I can't do what he'll need me to do if your not safe."

" what will he need you to do prince?"

" it's between brother's."

She got up from the chair and slid over to him, " hire the help you think I need, but I want something in return."

He turned to her then slowly asked, " and what is that , lady."

" that you will tell me if you have to something that requires your war blade. And your will send word that you are safe."

" I'll do one better. If I need my war blade I'll meet you at Karla's."

" Karla's …. why?"

He Didn't answer. didn't want to worry her. And was sure that the events he knew about would never be played out. Known because both his father and himself would be stopping by the hall ever other day for a long while just to make sure everything was as it should be with both his brother and his queen.

It was well past evening meal when Daemon had returned. He had lingered longer in Hell just because he was still shaking off the memories of the dream web. Had to settle his nerves before he saw his wife.

He slowly entered the hall and was meet by Beal. " your late."

" I didn't realize you were expecting me Beal."

" I'm not but if your going to make the lady frantic then yes I'm going to say something to you."

" and why…." he felt her power just before he saw her. Just before she flung herself into his arms.

" your late. Your alright. …. Papa said you were, but you were late."

" sweetheart I'm fine I just needed to unwind after being around that ……"

Her fingers pressed against his lips, " shhh, I don't want to hear about it right now. We have other things to talk about first."

" like?" he asked as she tugged on his arm. Tugged until he gave in enough to follow her. Continued to follow till they were in her sitting room. Asked once more " what do we need to discuss?"

Hurriedly she said " first off there is no webs for you to worry about. I checked, papa checked, as did Morgahnn and Karla." she breathed deeply as she led him to a chair in front of her round table. Sat on the other side of him and called in a plain silver flask. " the coven has been talking."

Daemon bit his lower lip, he really hated every conversation that stared with ' the coven has been talking," it usually meant that his life was about to be turned upside down and so completely rearrange that he would be begging Janelle to put everything back to how it had been. He closed one eyes sure he didn't want to know the answer, " and what has the little darlings been discussing now?" and who was he going to have to have his brother put into the middle of the coldest lake that he could find?

" we made a brew…'

" for what?"

" if you don't want ….."

He raised his hand to cut her off, " sweetheart , what is the brew for?"

At first she mumbled the answer now realizing she really didn't want to be having this conversation with him. Deciding that it might be easier to ask him to stop taking the other brew…

" ah…. I'm sorry what. …… didn't quite understand that."

She shut her eyes and winkled her nose, slouched down then in a meek whisper said " it counteracts the contraceptive brew."

He sat back in the chair and glared at her then began to tap one of his long black tinted nails on the table. After a few tense moments of complete silence said, " do you think that we would have a problem if we stopped taking the brew or are you just wanting to hurry this along?"

" oh , no price I know we wouldn't have any trouble there…."

" but…" he still didn't look amused. Oh he wanted a child , but not on the covens terms.

" but I…. that is you have never said if you wanted a son or a daughter sooo…"

" sweetheart I don't understand, how that matters…. The child will be what ever it is meant to be."

In her dark midnight voice she said, " I made the brew prince. Made it so you could have both if you wanted."

His heart beat galloped to full speed. Of course he would love both. Wanted both what male wouldn't want a strong son or a mirror. Then again why wouldn't he want a daughter who would be her mother's shadow. Knew better then to say that. It wasn't his decision. The web wasn't there and the witch who made it was dead. But the message she had left was… males serve…. They have only the rights that are given to them . Rights that can be taken away. Humbly said, " the choice is yours sweetheart. How ever many children you wish to have ….."

" no Daemon the choice is yours because if it up to me I would have the Hall filled with little feet, or hooves, or…"

" hooves?"

" I thought you liked my hooves?"

" oh no sweetheart I don't like them I love them , but I never gave much thought about our children having your more beautiful body parts. Guess we won't really know till we have a few now will we?"

" a few?"

" lets start with two and see if we have energy for more."

" two really , you don't mind?" her eyes lit up in a way that reminded him of a kitten getting ready to pounce a hopping bug. Told him that he had made the right decision.

Wanted to play coy for a moment, " well we wouldn't want to waist a tonic now would we?" saw her happiness begin to fade. " I'm joking sweetheart. '

"Oh…." she looked in his eyes. Saw how tiered he was. How much he needed sleep. Took him by the hand and led him to his room. Vanished his clothes and firmly said, ' we'll discuss this tomorrow. You need to go to sleep right now."

" I need what?"

" sleep , you had a long night last night followed by a longer day today. And if we are going to be parents soon . You need to rest now."

Confused he asked, " and are you joining me?"

" oh of course I am. I just thought you would like to rest in your room at least until I found a certain little gold spider and make sure there was nothing else that had to be taken care of before our children are born,"

Daemon relaxed and almost laughed. Jokily said, " if you find one tell it I'll squish her if she puts another web around me without warning."

" Daemon that's not nice. What if…."

" what if I woke on the killing edge and forgot I was in bed with you. I would never forgive myself."

" oh…. Well I'll tell her something then."

Feeling more relaxed then he had all day Daemon slid into his bed. Felt his black satin sheets caressing his skin. Felt the soothing webs that Jaenelle had permanently weaved into the fabric. Found himself drifting to sleep long before Jaenelle joined him. Long before Kaelas curled up on the foot of the bed. And long before Ladvarian laid down by his back.

He slept as all the memories of last nights nightmare disappeared. As all the thoughts of what the witch tried to do eased out of his mind. He slept knowing he was going to get the one thing he wanted more then anything…. He would be the father to the children witch would carry. …. Not just one….. But as many as she could have because she wanted the hall filled with the sound of little feet or hooves….. Possible claws… it didn't matter because they would be his….. No not just his but they would be hers, always hers.

Daemon woke too two bright sapphire eyes staring into his. He blinked a few times trying to get his body to respond to her. Slowly he said in a voice that was still waking, " sweetheart your up early."

" I was reading and…."

" reading what ?"

" well there has to be a way to get the baby out without…."

" sweet heart , I love you I really do, but I really don't want to know about how it gets out. I'm more concerned on how it gets in and stays there, until you do what ever you do to get it out.."

" your such a male."

" I thought you like me that way."

" well yes , but….. Oh never mind I'll discuss it with Morgahnn in a few days."

" just let me know so that I can be in the furthest territory for when you have that conversation."

She gave a puzzled look just before Daemon rolled over and pinned her to the bed. Stopped him from advancing by squirming out from under him. " I haven't taken the brew."

'grrr' was the only sound he made as she scurried into the other room. He wasn't angry but it was the best he could do to show his displeasure at being woken up and then being told not yet.

He closed his eyes for just a moment, opened them when he smelled the difference in the air. Felt the difference on his skin. Even the sheets felt softer. His eyes opened to the familiar gray swirling mist of the abyss. Rolling to one side he propped up on his elbow saw her hungry eyes. " sweetheart?"

Her midnight voices purred, " I wanted this to be special."

" it's always special."

Her head cocked to the side, " yes, but I want you to myself today."

" then take me sweetheart."

Beal opened the door. Twitched when he saw Lucivar. " prince Yaslana."

" is everything….." he picked up the scent. Not Jaenelle's twilight dawn but …..he called in his war blade. Silently cursed for leaving his brother here alone last night. Almost called out for his father.

" everything is ….. Normal prince."

" move out of my way Beal….. You know damn well….."

" that witch is in residents and neither her nor prince Sadi wishes to be disturbed."

" this is normal?"

" it is and it is usually why I am the darkest jeweled warlord prince in the house during these times."

" you'll send word when my brother can be disturbed."

Reluctantly he said, " I will call for you Prince. Will you be…"

" in Halaway. I'll be with Tersa till I hear from you."

It was well past midday when Daemon opened his eyes to his room. Opened them and felt completely content and hungry. He rolled over and pulled Jaenelle closer. Heard her purring. Knew how content she was right now, and knew better then to wake her.

Very quietly slid our from the sweat soaked blankets and eased into his warm robe. Felt his legs shake form the extensive work out his wife had given him. Smiled contently as he passed through the bedroom door and glided down the hallway towards the dinning hall. Met Beale about half way there.

" prince Sadi your brother was here."

Daemon grinned found it amusing that his brother had been sent away from the hall. " ah , and did he say when he would return."

" I was asked to inform him when you could be disturbed."

" I see….. Then by all means do send what ever message he asked you to send. And inform him his sister is still sleeping and needs to remain that way for a while longer."

" of course prince." Beale coked back a laugh and asked, " Helen would like to know if a nursery wing should be opened."

"nursery wing….? No I think not but rooms in the family wing will be need to be cleaned and opened."

" and a nanny?"

" the lady will find one that suits her."

" of course."

Daemon slipped into the dinning hall as Beale called out to Lucivar on the red thread. " your brother is able to be disturbed. The lady is not."

Lucivar came back to the hall his war blade strapped to his back and his hunting knifes around his waist. Too calmly enter the hall. Very quietly found his brother tucked into a modest meal. " everything alright Bastard?"

" as long as your sister doesn't see those everything will continue to be."

" I felt…."

" witch wanted to play."

" ah but that doesn't ….."

" in the abyss." Lucivar looked blankly into Daemon's eyes as he added, " very deep in the abyss. I almost forgot that feel myself."

" she…."

" left the jewels there I think."

" you think….. Daemon you better be damn sure because…."

" witch lost nothing Lucivar. In fact I do know now that she can reclaim that power with out it destroying her."

" how?"

" she had an ebon Jeweled ring yesterday."

" and?"

" and … how do you feel about having a hall full of nieces and nephews?"

" that's not funny Daemon…. Not one bit ."

" good then we're on the same page. How ever your sister wants just that."

" she'll change her mind after the first one gets legs under it."

" under them. "

" that……"

" no dear brother for Marian that's not possible, for witch?"

" oh mother night."

" and may the darkness be merciful."