Page 32 of Queen Takes Triune
Surprised, I looked from her to Gina, who nodded solemnly in confirmation.
I’d never thought of my mother’s death as a sacrifice, but that was exactly what she’d done. She’d killed herself.
For me.
Would I be required to sacrifice myself to continue the Isador line?
* * *
RIK
Isqueezed my queen so hard that I felt her ribs creak against mine, while every muscle in my body rebelled.
“Never.” I tried to soften the harshness of my voice, but the rock troll rumbled through me, giving me too much volume. “You won’t need to give your life to have an heir. Don’t even consider such a thing.”
“He’s right,” Gina added quickly. “Your mother’s sacrifice was an extreme case. Back in the old days, when conceiving a child was easier, a queen would generally only offer her own blood in a ritual sacrifice to her goddess. Or perhaps make a special item using her gifts. When the basic rituals failed to result in conception, it was only then that queens began trying more desperate and drastic sacrifices.”
Dr. Borcht nodded. “Especially after Keisha Skye sacrificed her alpha’s life to conceive. I can’t begin to estimate how many alphas willingly sacrificed their lives for their queens to no avail.”
Shara shuddered and pressed her face more fully against my chest. “I would never sacrifice one of my Blood, let alone Rik. I don’t care if I never have a child and the Isador name dies with me.”
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t have to. She knew full well that I’d lay my life down for her in a heartbeat. If she wanted a child and that was the only way to ensure it…
“No.” Jerking her face up so she could glare at me, she retorted as roughly as I had spoken just moments before. “I refuse to even consider it.”
“Neither of you are going to have to die,” Gina said firmly. “I’m sure of it. That’s why your mother did what she did, so that you could bring back the magic and power without facing such a sacrifice. Ask Mayte what she sacrificed to have Xochitl. She and her god are still alive and well.”
I felt Shara reach out to her sibling queen.:Mayte, Gina’s telling me about Aima conception. What can you tell me about your ritual with Coatlicue? Did she require a great sacrifice from you?:
:Not at all,:Mayte replied.:I went to my favorite temple a few miles outside my nest and made my usual sacrifice. Just my blood and prayers, asking for Her guidance and blessing. Tepeyollotl joined with me on the peak of the pyramid and by morning… I knew that I carried Xochitl. Your mother was right. Tepeyollotl’s blood was powerful enough to rejuvenate my line and give us the magic we needed to conceive.:
She hesitated a moment, and I felt her rising excitement in our queen’s bond.:Are you thinking about conceiving an heir? With Rik? Or will you find your own god?:
I practically ground my teeth to dust, but I said nothing. If Shara had to call a god to have a child, then call a god she would. I’d find him and drag him to her if I must. Fuck, I’d throttle him into submission, the same as I’d done to Mehen. My queen would have everything she ever wanted, even if that meant a god powerful enough to give her an Isador heir.
:No,:Shara replied.:I only wanted to know how it’s done. I’m not ready for a child. In fact, I asked my doctor to give me something to help control my periods a bit. They’ve been pretty miserable lately.:
I felt Mayte’s wistful disappointment in the bond, but she didn’t press Shara or question her decision.:Oh, no, I’m sorry, my queen. I hope the doctor can help. If you have any questions later, I’m happy to help you in any way. When you’re ready, of course.:
“She says that she made her usual sacrifice,” Shara said aloud. “Tepeyollotl was enough to give her Xochitl.”
Gina glanced at me a bit warily. “Will you go after a god too? When it’s time?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think so. No, I think my problem will be wishing that I could have a child with several of my Blood.” She snagged my right hand and pressed her lips to my knuckles. “Of course I’d love to have a child with Rik. But can you imagine a baby dragon growing up with us? Or a tiny horse galloping around? Or a wolf? I wouldn’t want to leave anyone out, but I’m also not eager to have a dozen or more children.”
“Intention,” Dr. Borcht said suddenly, her gaze distant as if she was running a complex experiment in her head.
“How?” Shara asked. “You mean…”
Her mind buzzed with ideas, and for the first time, I felt a strange pang in her heart. A yearning mixed with growing hope. She held not one baby, but two. No, three.
Of course, it would be three. We Aima loved our threes.
“You set the intention.” Dr. Borcht focused on her, eyes shining with excitement. “In your ritual with your goddess, you begin the spell, or the magic, that enables conception. I don’t see why you couldn’t choose multiple Blood to help conceive your child.”
“Children,” Shara clarified softly. “Gina, are there any precedents for a queen having twins or triplets?”
“Oh, my. Well, I’m sure there are, but it would have been thousands of years ago, before we lost the power to conceive. I can look through the archives if you’d like.”
