Conversation and consequences

Once you make it back to the guest quarters, Melora immediately pulls you aside, closing the door as she brings you into a bedroom. You chuckle, looking sidelong at her.

“Awfully eager today, aren’t we?”

Melora laughs. “I am, but I wanted to talk first. About Cassie.”

You nod, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I figured it was something like that.”

Melora sits beside you. “Nicholas, you know that several of us want the same, right? Maybe not right this second, but…eventually.”

You smile. “Some of you have made that clear, yes. Sarah and Alex in particular.”

Melora laughs. “They are the least subtle about it, for sure. But most of us feel similar, myself included.”

Hell, you can count me in on that. I don’t know how you do it, but damn…

Melora grins. “I’m sorry to tease you like that, Lilith. It was unintentional.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Is that what this is about, you wanted to be next?”

She smiles. “No. Well, yes, I do, but that’s not what this is about. I wanted to be sure that you understand what’s happening.”

You chuckle. “I know about pregnancy, Melora.”

She shakes her head. “Not what I meant. With Alex’s change, she can get pregnant. Which means all of us can, except one.”

You sigh. “Ferra. I see.”

Melora nods. “Yes. She would never say anything, but think of how devoted she is to you. Ferra would do anything for you, give anything to you. And the most incredible thing she could give is denied to her.”

You shake your head. “I should have thought of that. Has she said something to you?”

She smiles. “No, you know how she is. She’s never going to open up that much to anyone but you, and this is a subject she keeps hidden. But I’m a seer, after all. And more than that, I’m a woman. I’ve seen her reactions to all of this, no matter how she tries to hide it.”

You sigh. “I should have thought of that. I need to have a talk with her.”

Melora smiles and pats your thigh. “Good boy.”

You both laugh, and you even hear a chuckle from Lilith. She’s taming you, mister big bad warrior.

Melora laughs again. “You say that like it’s a bad thing, Lilith! Nicholas certainly doesn’t seem to mind.”

You grin. “Giving up some control can be fun, on occasion.”

Melora looks at you, a very different sort of amusement in her eyes. “Speaking of giving up control, let’s get back to the subject at hand. I believe you mentioned something about me being next?”

Before you can respond, she gently but firmly pushes you to your back. Keeping a hand on your chest, Melora licks her lips as she looks at you.