Family planning

The climb up the hillside was not as bad as the twins had feared and Vel still felt that strange abundance of energy that he’d woken up with this morning, which helped a lot. As he and Adi reached the cave opening, Vel felt so very happy. Life had been so good lately, and despite the dangers and difficulties that no doubt lay ahead, he couldn’t see it getting anything but even better. It made him itch in his fingertips to do something. Adi was talking about the cave. “So should I go first this time becau- Oooh” She made a startled little noise as Vel grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her into a deep kiss. She obviously did not mind and melted into this embrace. Her hands snaked around his back and slowly rubbed it, while he put one on the back of her head and the other on her ass. They just stood there for a while, passionately making out, sharing their joy and love with each other. It was beautiful. His powers were a big part of why his life was so much better, but Adi had definitely played a huge part as well. For that reason and so many others, he truly loved this woman. They pulled apart, and even though they were in each other’s minds and there was no need to say it, he did so like saying things out loud. “I love you, Adeline.” That earned him a truly beatific smile. “I love you too, Velas.”

Another few minutes of making out and a short crawl later, they found themselves sitting opposite a pleasantly surprised Seph. “Now that the greetings are out of the way, my liege, might I ask what brings the two of you here? I doubt you are simply paying a visit to an old mindmage.” Before Vel could answer Seph, Adi tugged on his arm. “Vel, can I please tell him? We haven’t really gotten to tell anyone, only Ella knows, and she found out by hearing us through a door and I really want to tell someone.” He knew what she meant of course, she was dying to tell someone about her pregnancy, and Seph was probably the only person they could safely tell right now. Her eagerness made him smile and he gave a brief nod. “Sure, Adi, go ahead.” She turned back to the intrigued looking Seph and threw her arms up like she was cheering. “I’m pregnant!”

An expression of genuine delight spread across the old man’s wrinkled features. “That is excellent news, Lady Adeline, congratulations!” He reached across the table to clasp first her hands and then Vel’s too. “And congratulations to you of course, my liege.” They both thanked him. Adi was still aglow with the joy of getting to tell someone. Vel realized that this was a good opportunity to ask Seph about their situation. “I assume this has happened before, heirs having children. Anything we should be aware of?” Seph nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, there are indeed some records. First of all, heirs only ever produce daughters. Though if those records are to be trusted, you will have already known that.” He looked to Vel for confirmation, who nodded. Vel decided he wanted Adi in his lap for this conversation, and after a quick mental command she of course obliged him. He put his hands on her abdomen and gently stroked it while Seph went on. It felt good to be able to act like an expecting couple so openly.

“Your daughters will not be heirs or inherit any of your powers. At least such a thing has never happened. They may develop magical gifts of their own just like anyone else, but it is probably as unlikely as it is with any other child of mages.” He succumbed to a bout of coughing and one of his attendants brought him a steaming brew of some kind. “Apologies, my liege, the damp after such a storm is not good for my old lungs.” He took a sip and grimaced. “I would offer you some, but it is a brew most foul.” He choked down some more before continuing. “All that is not to say however that your daughters will not be special. According to the old writings, they will be extremely receptive and susceptible to your powers in particular. Other mindmages will find their defenses formidable indeed, though.” Vel liked the sound of that but he wasn’t sure how he felt about using his powers on his own progeny yet. “There is some disagreement in the writings about this part, but they will probably be very devoted to you even without the need to use your powers. Devotion beyond what is normal for a child to feel for their parent, that is.” That also sounded very good. “And as long as you live, my liege, they will not need to fear the ravages of time.”

Both Vel and Adi were taken aback by that. “You mean to say my daughters will not grow old, but only as long as I live?” Seph nodded. “Exactly, my liege. As long as you live, they will share in your longevity.” Adi chimed in. “Vel is immortal?” Seph looked surprised. “Have I not mentioned this before?” The twins shook their heads in unison. “Apologies then, my liege. I cannot promise immortality, but heirs do not seem to age past a certain point. None have died of old age, and even those that lived as long as a century never looked a day over 40. Or so the writings say.” That sounded promising, but there was a snag. “What about my loved ones? You say my daughters will share in my gift, but what of Adeline and my other sisters, what of my mother?” Seph gave a helpless shrug. “I do not know, my liege. There is some speculation that having carried the daughter of an heir may bestow some gifts, but it is vague.” Well, that was not what he had wanted to hear. “Are you saying I will have to watch those I love most grow old and die?” Seph shook his head. “I am not, my liege. I am saying it is possible. In truth, I believe you will find a way. Keep growing your powers, and there will be almost nothing you cannot achieve.”