Page 90 of Pregnant With Their Babes

“What of the prophecy King Augustine claimed? The one that said Llyr could never be with us?” Oz asked, never taking his eyes off Llyr.

Llyr smiled softly. “My father had it a bit wrong.”

“A bit wrong is an understatement. King Augustine had learned of the missing pieces—as well as a mistranslation some time ago but kept it to himself,” King Claus murmured. “The true translation is this:Omega-born and stained by the shell, the bitter monarch's third offspring will give birth to two alphas under the same moon…One born of a dark, magical father…The other born of both earth and water.Heroes both.Once grown into men, they willprotectboth land and sea—together.”

Oz frowned. “Heroes?” He shook his head. “Why would King Augustine keep that from us?”

“Revenge. My father was angry that your mother had been taken from him. So he aspired to see the destruction of King Claus and his family. And keep us apart. You were her son. How could he accept his child with you?” Llyr replied taking a step forward. He smiled as he ran a hand over his swollen belly. “Now he can no longer keep us apart.”

“We should have the troth now and the wedding ceremony soon,” King Claus said. “Where is this Dagr I keep hearing about?”

Oz spun. Dagr stepped forward, seeming as shocked as he.

“A man anda womancan wed. There is no marriage ceremony between men,” Oz’s father stated. “Nor three.”

“In your world,” Oz’s uncle stated. “In ours, an alpha weds an omega. Sometimes two of one weds one of the other. Your sonispart ofourworld, too.”

Oz sauntered closer to his father. “Did you not recently tell me you would accept Dagr and I together if it could result in a child?”

“I was being facetious—a man giving birth was impossible two hours ago.”

“You wish me to have an heir. My heir grows in Llyr’s belly—a prince from the world of my mother. I can have Dagr and Llyr—there is no danger. Augustine’s prophecy was wrong. You can have what you demanded, and I can have what I wished for.”

“But there are laws governing marriage in our realm. It is not done.”

“Given that you’rethe king, I would think you could mold the laws any way you saw fit,” King Claus replied.

“Wasn’t it you who told me of the great power I would wield? So wield it, father. Give me this,” Oz pleaded.

Oz’s father looked contemplative as he turned to the merfolk. “I will consider agreeing. On two conditions.”

King Claus lifted his chin. “And those are?”

“You’ll lift the exile on Queen Deandra. I know she is no more… but her biggest regret was never being able to revisit the sea—not as she once could. That regret was voiced in her dying words. Perhaps in death, her spirit can find peace.”

“I was not the king to exile her. I will have to seek that from Prince Llyr’s brother in Aegeaus… as Amyr now carries his father’s trident, he would be able to reverse the curse. I doubt he would reject the idea. He seeks peace and if that will ensure it, I suspect he will do what is just.” King Claus paused. “And the other?”

Oz’s father faced him. “This one is for you, my son. I understand the sea is where your heart lies—but—” He drew in a deep, shuddering breath. “I’ve lost my queen. And my eldest sons. I can’t lose you, too, Ozzy. I have missed you more than you can ever realize these past two decades…” He sighed. “This kingdom needs a ruler. I’m not a young man anymore… I wish to pass this crown to you.”

Oz stepped closer to his father. “Honestly, I was not pleased at the thought of my homecoming. I had to give away my heart to do so.” He grinned. “As long as myhusbandsagree to live here with me, I would be happy to remain.” Oz focused on Llyr. “Could you be happy here with us? My father took my mother away from her world. I would never expect you to turn your back on yours.”

Llyr nodded, a smile to his lips. “I would turn my back on nothing. I could revisit the sea on occasion. And as close as we are, it’s not like a morning swim would be out of the question, would it?”

“But would you have to give up your tail to remain?” Dagr asked Llyr.

“No,” King Claus interrupted. “My sorceress has a permanent spell that would allow Llyr to walk on land and swim in the ocean. She’s already gifted him with it—as a wedding gift. For it to take full effect, hemustbe mated to at least one human before the year is out.”

Oz faced Llyr and grinned. “I think that can be arranged.”

Dagr moved closer to Oz. “Is this really happening?”

“I’m fairly sure I’m dreaming,” Oz whispered under his breath. “But don’t pinch me… if I’m dreaming, I never want to wake up.”

King Claus offered a hand to Oz’s father. “Do we have an agreement? Oz and Dagr will wed Prince Llyr?”

Oz’s father took King Claus’ hand. “Agreed.”

Llyr rushed into Dagr and Oz’s arms, holding them tight.

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