Page 44 of Arthur

I looked at my head of security and smiled. “It was unexpected,” I said. “Needed though. Edric enjoyed the extra time with family, and I was able to learn some additional things about the Venice coven members, so I would call that a bonus.” I was a bit surprised I’d been able to learn anything, what with how the trip turned out, but I had no complaints. “And how is our resident hellhound? Has Dante settled in?”

Balthazar snorted. “I guess you could say that. He’s bored, from what it seems. He does daily patrols around the perimeter, and he sort of sulks around the manor, but he’s friendly and always smiles at the children. They’re fascinated with his eyes, which I guess is understandable.”

I chuckled. “Yes. For Edric, it seems to be the dragons. I wonder if he’ll be equally enthralled with Dante though.” I picked up the top piece of paper that was on my desk and sighed. “I guess time will tell,” I said. I looked up at Balthazar, who was staring at me. “What is it?”

“It’s good to have you back, Master. Not that we couldn’t handle the coven, but it just feels more at peace with you and Patrick here. Any news?”

“About?” I asked. It was obviously no secret why I’d ended up spending a week in Montana when I had only planned on a few days. It wasn’t something anyone in the coven ever hid because there was absolutely no shame in a member having a fertile period.

“Patrick, sir. Is he? Did he?”

I chuckled. “We will know for certain in another week or so. For now, neither of us has been able to sense anything different.” I tossed the paper back onto the desk. I would deal with it and the other important things later. “We will, of course, be thrilled to welcome another baby into our family, but neither of us are expecting it to happen at this point. We’ve had more fails when it comes to growing our family than successes.” It hurt every time Patrick realized he’d not caught. He always felt as if he was the cause of it, despite all of my reassurances that it was nothing he did.

“I understand completely. Grant and I haven’t experienced such devastating news, and that is something I’m immensely thankful for.”

“Things are shifting, and more instances of these changes are going to be seen everywhere.”

“Master?”

I indicated the chair across from me. Once Balthazar sat, I sighed. “The goddess has made changes. We don’t feel them because we’re already mated. It is my understanding that when she had a meeting with the council in the spring, Father mentioned how it is no longer necessary nor fair to enforce the urgency for warlocks to claim their One.”

Balthazar’s eyebrows rose. “She’s able to do that?”

I shrugged. “Since she is the one that enacted it, I would think she could. I personally haven’t yet seen this come into play, but I’m told it is indeed now a possibility. There has been news of a warlock in Spain who recently found his One, and they waited three weeks before claiming each other.”

“Three? That’s…incredible.”

I nodded in agreement. It truly was. “I’m not sure exactly how this will pertain to us, but there is also something regarding pregnancy. It will no longer be an absolute thing. I’m not certain if this is only for first-time heats and fertile periods or if this will be for all going forward. Father didn’t have an exact answer for me about that.”

“So newly mated couples will no longer be forced to have children right away?”

“Correct. I’m told that if they wish for children, then they will happen. If not, then it won’t. I don’t know how that will impact the rest of us. If it is that simple, that would be wonderful.” I shrugged. “I guess it will take time to see if things truly have changed or not.”

Balthazar was quiet for a moment. “I hope that for not only you and Patrick but all of the others who wish to add to their families, or who are content with the size they already have and suppressors just don’t seem to work, what you have said is true. I know of many from my birth coven who spent years wanting another child and couldn’t have one. I understand this is something that humans are faced with frequently, but one would think that perhaps it would be different for us. We’re not exactly human.”

I was in full agreement. “What I know of it is that the world’s situations were different then. Times were obviously much simpler, and it made sense for the time. As the world has evolved, certain aspects of our lives haven’t, and the update was very much needed.”

Balthazar nodded. “I agree.” There was a moment of silence. “Well, I hope the changes are real and they are beneficial to us all.” Balthazar took another moment before nodding. “Not to change the subject, but I did want to touch base with you on one particular thing.”

“Of course. Which is it? The clowder? Or something else?”

Balthazar chuckled. “Neither, actually.”

“Oh? Do tell, then.”

“It’s really nothing too terrible. It’s just that I wanted to let you know that Grant and I would very much like to travel next month. We will, of course, be taking the children with us, and my parents will be accompanying us as well.”

“Oh yeah? That sounds like a very nice time. Are you planning on visiting Spain?”

“For a bit, yes. We would like to visit several places. Spain being only one of them. It has been years since we’ve traveled, and we thought that with Maxwell finally being a bit older, it was time to give it a try.”

“Sounds wonderful. Am I to assume that the two of you will be gone for the month?” Not that it wouldn’t be allowed. I didn’t control the coven members. They could come and go as they pleased.

“Yes. We thought it would be best to not rush in any particular place. It will be a month at most. We’re really going to play it by ear and see how things go. We know the older two will do well since my parents have traveled with them before.”

I grinned. “I understand completely and wish you, Grant, and your parents a fun time. I’ve never traveled with four young children, but we are certainly at an advantage with certain abilities. Please keep us up to date if your travel plans should change and you decide to stay a bit longer. Otherwise, have a great trip.”

Balthazar grinned. “I will. Thank you.” Balthazar started to stand but stopped and looked at me. “I didn’t even think to ask if there was anything else, Master.”

---