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“Just checking. I framed it as a way of working with you, that you don’t see things the same as a Convocation wizard and that he’d do well to give Laryn some freedom. Let her have occupations of her own, rather than dance constant attendance on him.”
Wonder of wonders. “All true, too,” he acknowledged blandly, careful not to show her just how much it meant to him that she was coming to see things his way. “I thought you wanted our incoming wizards to believe we have a traditional Convocation relationship, me all broody and demanding.”
“To begin with, yes—but I’d like to wage a subtle campaign with those I think have the mental flexibility to change their thinking, who will then be loyal to you and your new regime. We can’t have vipers in our household waiting to strike. This will be a good way of sorting them out.”
He had no argument with that. “What did Asa say?”
“He was taken aback, but he’s giving it a try. He does want this contract—and to impress you.”
And Asa was at least half in love with Nic, though Gabriel didn’t say that aloud. She’d only tease him about wizard-borne possessiveness.
They went on in silence for a bit, the walk companionable in an oddly peaceful way. Nic had accused him of wanting that simple farmer girl, and while he wouldn’t deny that part of him still longed for that simpler life, this felt meant. His beautiful, fierce, and talented wife understood him like no one else ever had. With both their gazes fixed on the manse, gilded by the purples and golds of a spring sunset in Meresin, the bats emerging to flutter through the crepuscular light, it felt as if this was usual, as if they’d been walking home together all their lives.
He hated to disrupt the peacefulness of the moment, but he felt he had to ask before the opportunity slipped away. “Nic, doyouresent the pregnancy?” he asked quietly. “You can be honest with me, because I’d understand if you do.”
“Because I’m not the maternal sort either?” she asked drily.
“Quite the opposite.” He squeezed her ankle. “You are warm, affectionate, nurturing, and thoughtful. You’re also fierce, courageous, and believe in building a family. I think you’ll be a wonderful mother—but I also know this isn’t something you chose.”
“But I did,” she corrected, gentle but firm. “I went into the Betrothal Trials knowing I’d come out of them pregnant. Unless something went terribly wrong.”
“So did Laryn, theoretically.”
“True,” she acknowledged. “But Laryn and I are very different people that way. She’ll do as expected and burn with bitter resentment every step of the way. Whereas I’ll embrace the practicality of my situation and make the best of it.”
“I can absolutely see that.”
“In my way, I’m a sunny optimist.” She smiled broadly at him, making him laugh.
“You joke, but you are,” he mused. She was the sun to his gloom. Her determination to make the best of everything was a kind of profound optimism, in truth. “I feel I should point out, however, that you evaded the question.”
“I didn’t evade it so much as I was giving myself time to think about it.” She lapsed into thought, and this time he gave her the quiet to consider her answer. “For a long time,” she finally said in a soft voice, when they’d very nearly reached the back entrance to the house, “it just didn’t seem real to me. Sometimes it still doesn’t. I mean, the oracle heads are never wrong, and I can feel certain changes in my body, but it’s a lot to wrap my mind around, you know? That there is this whole person, with their own thoughts, feelings, and ambitions, who doesn’t yet exist in the world, but who will grow inside of my body and then appear—poof!—eight months from now. Isn’t it an extraordinary thing, that we just accept this… magic?”
“I suppose so.” He’d never quite thought of it that way. “Though we’re not surprised when orange blossoms become fruit, or when foals appear in springtime.”
“True, though—if you really think about it—those are bizarre and magical transformations, too. Anyway.” She smiled down at him, the expression softer than he’d ever seen on her face. “I don’t resent it. I’m actually kind of… feeling all fuzzy, warm, and anticipatory. We’re going to have a baby, Gabriel. A little person who will be the best of each of us, who will grow up in this beautiful house, surrounded by interesting people. They’ll have a good life, familiar or wizard.”
“We’ll make sure of that,” he answered, his voice choked with surprising emotion.
“Yes, we will. And it feels miraculous to me to be able to believe in that.” She laughed, almost to herself. “Go bathe and dress. I’ll see Salve back to the stables and meet you in the dining hall.”
He groaned, having nearly forgotten about that.
“Gabriel,” Nic called as she turned Salve toward the stables. “Believing in that kind of life for myself and for our child? That’s a gift you’ve given me, more precious than anything. Even Elal grapes.”
