by Kelex
He repeated words and phrases, as he was instructed, unable to tear his stare from his mates. They all spoke their vows, pledging themselves to one another.
When it was over, Llyr felt as if in a fog. They’d done it. They were bound as one before the gods of both their people. His mates embraced him close, kissing him at the end of the ceremony, sealing their pact.
“I love you,” he murmured once it was over. “Both of you. So very much.”
Oz cupped Llyr cheek and planted a kiss on his lips. “And I you.”
“What about me?” Dagr asked, feigning offense.
“Yeah, I guess I love you, too,” Oz replied.
Dagr chuckled and then kissed Oz’s lips before spinning to steal one from Llyr. “I love you both. Forever and always.”
They proceeded down the aisle and shook hands as they went… then moved to the water to shake more hands and accept congratulations. When they came to the end of the line, the Enchantress sat on an outcropping of water she’d lifted from the surface.
“Nice trick,” Dagr said.
“Oh just wait until you see what else I can do,” she said before waving her arm. A wall of water rose… and Dagr’s mother swam up into it.
Dagr reached through the water to squeeze his mother’s hand… as did Llyr and Oz.
“We’re coming to celebrate in your world soon,” Dagr said.
His mother smiled and nodded. She bowed to them all before the Enchantress dropped the curtain of water.
“Thank you,” Dagr said.
“Of course. I couldn’t allow my sister to miss your wedding,” the Enchantress said.
When they all gasped, she pinched Dagr’s cheek and swam back into the water. Dagr spun to face his mates. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that. For now. Later, I need answers.”
“I think we all need a drink. Supposedly there’s a party up at the castle,” Oz said as they stood alone for the first time all day. “Think we should head up?”
“Your father would kill us if we didn’t,” Llyr said.
“I’d much rather make a mad dash to Clyffsyde,” Oz said.
“Are you sure you’re alright with calling Clyffsyde home?” Dagr asked. He gazed up at the palace on the hill, worry crossing his handsome face. “It’s no castle.”
“Tyne was always meant to be the monarch. He belongs here. Not me.” Oz smiled. “Besides, home is wherever the two of you are. Why not in your castle, instead, Baron von Burgstaller?”
After a chuckle, Dagr focused his attention on Llyr. “And you? My grandmother isn’t driving you insane, is she?”
Llyr plastered a smile on his face. “She’s actually growing on me. Her and her sharp wit.” Llyr paused. “But if she gives me one more piece of parenting advice, I might remind her that you ran away for a reason.”
Dagr barked with laughter. “Please ensure I’m in the room if you do. I wouldn’t want to miss the look on her face. Or sprung from her lips after.”
“No, really… your grandmother and I are becoming the best of friends. The kind you argue with nonstop but still love dearly afterwards.”
“She said she’s quite fond of you, too,” Dagr said with a grin.
Llyr smiled. Dagr’s grandmother had many opinions, and she was not concerned with who was listening. But as Llyr rather agreed with her, most of the time, all he could so was shake his head at the woman’s audacity. The fact that she was working hard to make amends to how she’d treated her grandson in the past—and that Dagr was growing to accept the woman as true family—was enough for Llyr.
“I suppose we should make an appearance before heading home,” Oz said.
Dagr grinned. “Home. I like the sound of that.”
Llyr squeezed between them both. “So, let’s celebrate so we can have our own celebration at home. Alone.”
“I like the way that you think, husband,” Oz whispered with a broad smile. He stood a little straighter. “Husbands. I’m almost shocked to say it.”
“Are you three coming or not?” Prince Tyne called across the beach.
“Yes,” Oz said. “My husbands and I will be there shortly.” He eyed Dagr and Llyr and took a hand from each. “See how good it sounds?”
Epilogue
Summer
Llyr screamed in pain, sweat rolling off his brow. On his side, he clenched himself into a ball in the shallow water, tucking his knees as tight to his chest as he could. Oz rubbed his tail in slow, circular strokes while Dagr held his upper body out of the water in a tight embrace.
“Everything is proceeding well, Prince Llyr,” the Enchantress murmured. “I can see the first babe’s head.”
Llyr groaned. “Just the head? Dear gods…”
“You’ve got this,” Dagr murmured, rubbing his shoulders.
Another pain struck, and he bore down with the contraction. “I. Hate. You. Both.”
The Enchantress clicked her tongue. “Awww, don’t say that, Prince Llyr… these men love you very much.”
“They wouldn’t have done this to me if they loved me,” Llyr cried, even as he knew he lied. He loved his mates more each day—even if they’d put him through this hell. The reward at the end would make it all worthwhile. He looked at the Enchantress. “I know you have a spell that would save me all of this.”
“No spell can take all the pain away from childbirth—none that would leave the babes alive, that is,” the witch said.
“Forget I asked,” Llyr said before roaring in pain. The next contraction hit, and he pushed with all his might.
“Now, the head is through… with the next one, push slowly and evenly so we can get those shoulders to come,” the Enchantress instructed.
“Breathe,” Dagr murmured, continuing to rub Llyr’s shoulders and back.
Llyr took the short, panting breaths as the witches had shown them. Dagr’s mother was there, under the shallows, waiting for the first merbaby to appear. She would tend to the pup under the water while the second babe was birthed.
The contraction hit, and Llyr did his best to push as he’d been told.
“Good… good… perfect. One more slow and gentle push and pup number one will arrive,” the witch announced.
“I can’t,” Llyr murmured.
“You can,” Oz said, grabbing one of Llyr’s hands. “I know you can, baby.”
“Tuck his knees up,” the Enchantress told Oz. “He’s growing tired.”
Oz tucked Llyr’s tail up and held him in place. “I’ve got you, baby.”
Llyr took a few breaths and the spasm came. He pushed… and felt the release as the pup was born.
“Oh, he’s beautiful, Prince Llyr… and a strong little swimmer,” she announced. Lifting the babe so they could see, the merbaby let out a piercing wail, kicking its tail. Llyr gasped. Immediately, his heart clenched at the sight of their child. The Enchantress brought him closer so Llyr could get a good look at the howling newborn, before she lowered the babe under the water—handing him over to Dagr’s mother.
“Take care of him, momma,” Dagr whispered before kissing Llyr’s forehead.
“Halfway there,” Oz said with a smile. “Just one more.”
Llyr groaned.
“Give me a moment to clear the way for baby number two… if you feel a contraction, try not to push,” the Enchantress said.
Llyr laid back against Dagr, clearly exhausted. “I have nothing left.”
“Take ours, sweetheart,” Dagr murmured. “Whatever you need… it’s yours.”
Llyr relaxed a little in their embrace—the calm between the storms. But it only took a few minutes before the first contraction commenced for the second babe. He pushed and pushed… but the babe seemed to like his safe space in Llyr’s belly. No matter what, he didn’t wish to leave.
After nearly an hour, his head finally appeared. Llyr was worn thin, with nothing left. Thoughts of his own papa had plagued him throughout his pregnancy. Would he lose his life giving birth to his own children? Darkness thr
eatened as he faded more and more.
“He’s almost here, sweetheart,” Dagr said, holding tight.
Oz held his tail firmly. “We love you so much… your babies need you, Llyr. We need you.”
“Give me one more push,” the Enchantress cried. “Just one more push… Prince Llyr!”
Llyr tried to hold on… but he had nothing left.
Llyr’s eyes opened, the brightness of the room nearly blinding him.
“There’s papa,” Dagr voice said.
Llyr turned to see Dagr sitting beside him in bed, a bundle in one arm. He sat up straighter, pain lancing through him. He searched the baby’s face before searching the room. “Where’s Oz and the other pup?”
“We’re right here,” Oz said as he strode into the room, their other son in his arms.
Llyr sighed with relief. “What happened? I think I blacked out during the birth.”
“You did. Your body was exhausted after all you did. So the Enchantress and my mother helped bring this little one out for you.”
“Thank the gods for them,” Llyr sighed. He reached out, desperate to hold them. “Give me my babies. They must be hungry.”
Llyr took the pup in Dagr’s arms and brought the child to a nipple. As soon as the babe latched on, he repositioned his son and reached for the other twin. Oz helped him settle the little prince, who was soon happily nursing away, as well.
He sighed, staring down at his two hungry pups, thankful they’d all made it through the birth. “Look how beautiful they are.”
One had a lighter version of Llyr’s copper curls, perhaps thanks to his father’s lighter hair. The other was a paler bronze version of his father.
“My mother claims they’re the most beautiful merchildren she’s ever laid eyes on,” Dagr said.
“Of course they are,” Llyr replied. “How could they not be with us for parents?”
Oz climbed onto the bed, so both his husbands sat beside him. They caressed the fine hair on the babies’ head, watching as they nourished themselves from Llyr’s body.
“I wonder what it tastes like,” Oz said. “Your milk.”
Dagr coughed. “I was thinking the same thing but was unsure if I should say so.”
“We’ll have to do a little quality control once our husband is stronger,” Oz whispered to Dagr.
“It’s for the pups,” Llyr admonished.
“Of course, but a few drops missing would cause no damage,” Oz said.
Llyr chuckled. “I doubt you’d be the first father to sneak a taste. I’m a little curious myself.”
“See?” Oz asked. But his smile faded. “In all honesty, I joke because you scared the hell out of me out there. For a moment, I thought we’d lost you, and I have no idea what we’d do without you here.” He brushed Llyr’s hair back a little, his eyes shining a bit. “Don’t ever scare me like that again. Okay?”
Llyr struggled to fight the tears welling in his own eyes. “Okay.”
“I’ll only make one demand of you,” Dagr said.
“What’s that?”
“Forever,” Dagr said. “We need you with us forever. Can you handle that?”
Llyr nodded, a tear sliding down his cheek. “I can handle that.”
THE END
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About the Author
International bestselling gay erotica/erotic romance author Kelex lives in Hampton Roads with her twenty-something slacker kidult and two semi-loveable masses of fur who are often found snarling at the mailman or UPS driver—or pooping on the brand-new carpet.
When not being a pain in her daughter’s ass, a gardening goddess, the baker of bread, the master of cake disaster, or the drinker of alllllll the coffee, she writes under various pen names all over the erotica and erotic romance genre map.
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