Page 39 of Dead Crown
That was the only time he’d had sex without the protection of the herb while at court, and he’d taken it shortly after returning to his room. It was supposed to have a good chance of working too since the conception didn’t happen at the exact moment of ejaculation. The lady he’d gotten the herbs from said he could do so if he ever forgot, but it was better to not forget.
And now there he was with the cramps for the first time in his life. It might be Tivar’s since he had no herbs now, but he shouldn’t have the cramps for nearly another week if that was so because he hadn’t been back for a full month. Mother had given him a book on abundant males after his first heat, and it said the first warning sign was pretty standard.
It was probably Jaki’s baby because the timing was just right. Also, it had to be because he didn’t want Tivar’s seed growing in him.
Before, he’d never wanted to have a baby at all. His first reason while young was because it sounded dreadful for hisstomach to grow big. Pushing out a baby sounded even worse. Later, his second reasoning was because it would be Tivar’s.
It wasn’t like he had a choice now, and maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. If it was Jaki’s child, it would be like having some part of the Prince with him. Jaki had tried to give him something no one else could and gotten a glimpse of things beyond the facade.
If Tivar had gotten ahold of him later…Still, Jaki had attempted to offer safety even though his half-brother was a treasonous spy.
He shifted away in the bed and curled up in a tight ball as he thought about a miniature version of Jaki. Tivar would do most of the raising since it would be “his baby” with a secret mistress who died in childbirth and the next heir.
It would have a better life than Lumi, and maybe he would get to see his child. Surely, Tivar could grant him that in exchange for an heir. Lumi’s child would love him.
His eyes filled with tears as he shifted his cuffed wrist and realized something. Perhaps he’d never get to see the child. After all, what if the kid blabbed about his Father who was kept locked up at all times and chained to a bed by one wrist? Eventually, the child would realize it wasn’t normal, and no one else had a parent who was kept in such conditions.
Then again, Tivar probably wouldn’t want a baby, a toddler, or a small child pasted to his hip every second of the day. If he ordered the child to keep quiet later, Lumi could watch it, and he'd also breastfeed it as a baby. Tivar couldn’t do that.
The skylight slowly turned from black to dark blue while the sun struggled up, and the cramps remained. It had to be Jaki’s baby and not Tivar’s spawn. He thought about the Prince’s hand cupping his face.
He’d meant it. He would have truly tried to keep Lumi safe.
A horrible thought occurred to him: If Lumi was infertile and couldn’t conceive like Tivar said, it didn’t mean his seed wasuseless. Tivar hadn’t elaborated on what would happen later after a year. What if he planned to get a woman, keep her as a prisoner, and force Lumi to fuck her? It could be another abundant male, but a woman would be easier to find. Either way, the baby would work as an heir with a Cleel male creating it.
A second prisoner would be a big problem, and Tivar would have to be careful to keep them hidden so the servants never suspected anything. Lumi wouldn’t be able to say no either. Tivar would threaten to hurt the other or kill them to make him comply.
The thought of being forced to rape anyone turned Lumi’s stomach.
Tivar shifted and rolled onto him with his morning wood. Lumi didn’t push his heat right away to ease things.
“I have the cramps,” he whispered.
Tivar paused with his prick in his hand. “What?”
“The deep cramps around my uterus-they started hours ago.”
“And you didn’t wake me?”
“You were tired, and you’re busy all day. I figured you’d want to sleep, and besides, I still have them now. There’s a baby in me.”
Tivar stared down at him, likely wondering if he was lying.
“You did what nobody else could,” added Lumi.
At least there wouldn’t be another prisoner if Tivar was planning to warp his little brother a bit more.
Faint pride flashed on Tivar’s face, and Lumi felt an old hint of disgust rise. He quickly squashed it. Surviving also meant keeping any disgust down and never allowing it to show. He couldn’t let himself feel it either or he’d go insane. He tacked on a smile instead even though the effort was tremendous.
“I did. It took you long enough to do something worthwhile with my seed, but I’ll finally have my heir.” Tivar frowned. “You better not be lying.”
“I’m not.”
Tivar cocked an ear. “Hmm. We’ll see.”
Lumi usually received toasted bread and tea in the morning. The servants knew they were to never enter the King’s rooms for any reason whatsoever, so they left the tray outside of the sitting room door. Before, they must have imagined Tivar enjoyed complete privacy which can be hard to come by for a King who keeps a court. They thought the King’s new pleasure slave stayed in his rooms, and he was the only one allowed in Tivar's private quarters.
Everyone thought Lumi had signed a contract of his own free will. Since he was used to doing whatever to survive, he didn't complain when he was occasionally taken around the Castle on a lead. Honestly, he didn’t care that he was kept leashed like an animal and treated like a pet. No one spoke to him, and he simply did as he was told. Getting to leave the room for an hour or two didn’t make him happy or miserable. It was just another thing he had to do because Tivar said so.
