The Prince's Consort (Chronicles of Tournai Book 1)

by Antonia Aquilante

  Philip hurt hearing the slight tremble in Amory’s voice. Amory was so strong, but Philip knew he was scared. Philip was too. He slid an arm around Amory and pulled him close against Philip’s side. “I thought about it, and we can wait if you want. But I’m not going to let him get close to you again. I’m not going to let him hurt you. And we can’t let him keep us from living our lives.”

  Amory was quiet for a long while, just looking at him, and Philip wondered again if he had done the wrong thing. Maybe with the threats to Amory’s life trying to have a child was too much. Maybe he should have waited.

  Just as Philip’s worries began to get the better of him, Amory leaned forward, bridging the small amount of space separating them, and brushed a gentle kiss over Philip’s lips. Then Amory pulled out of Philip’s arms. Philip’s relief at the kiss drained away, and he opened his mouth to take back the idea altogether.

  But Amory pulled away only far enough to turn to the bottle on the table. He unstoppered it and poured a dose into his empty wine glass, his hands trembling slightly. Turning back to Philip, Amory gulped down the pale green liquid.

  Philip almost laughed at the way Amory wrinkled his nose. “How does it taste?”

  Amory frowned, looking as if he was seriously considering the question. “Bitter, but not quite as bad as the first one.”

  “Well, I suppose that’s good.”

  “I guess so.” Amory smiled. “We’re really doing this.”

  He cupped Amory’s cheek. “Only if you want to.”

  “I do.” Amory kissed him again, lingering before pulling back and laughing. “I’m nervous. I don’t know why. I shouldn’t be.”

  He stroked his thumb across Amory’s cheek, back and forth. “I am too, but it’s all right.”

  Amory nodded. “Bed, then?”

  They walked into the bedchamber together and turned to each other when they reached the side of the bed. Neither of them moved for a long moment. Amory looked almost helpless when he met Philip’s eyes, and Philip was shocked at how awkward they were. It had never been awkward between them, not even at the beginning.

  “This is so strange. I don’t know what to do. I didn’t feel this way when I really didn’t know what to do.”

  Philip laughed at that, and Amory did too, a real laugh. Hearing it loosened something inside Philip he hadn’t realized had tightened up. “All right, here’s what we’re going to do.”

  Amory nodded, both expectant and trusting.

  “We’re going to forget there’s anything different about tonight.” He shook his head when Amory opened his mouth. “Trust me. Let everything else go. It’s you and me together. Nothing else matters.”

  He kissed Amory, long and deep, before he could reply, and when he broke the kiss, his tense muscles were beginning to relax and so were Amory’s. He ran his fingers through Amory’s soft curling hair. “Bed?”

  “Yes.”

  They undressed each other slowly and climbed into their bed, slipping beneath the blankets because of the chill in the air. Philip pulled Amory close, savoring the feel of Amory’s body against his own, of his soft skin under Philip’s hands. He forced himself to forget what the result of the night could be and to let himself be consumed by all that was Amory. They kissed for a long time, drowning in those kisses, as they used to at the beginning when kissing was all they did. Only there would be more than kissing tonight.

  Amory explored him with lingering caresses of his long-fingered artist’s hands, sending shivering heat through Philip’s body. It made him want more and everything and now. He eagerly returned the touches, the kisses, delighting in Amory’s every moan and sigh.

  After a while, the gentle explorations weren’t enough, and Amory reached for the oil they kept at the bedside. He pressed it into Philip’s hands and urged Philip over him. But, as much as he wanted more, as much as he wanted to be inside Amory, Philip wasn’t quite ready for it to be over. Amory was laid out before him and so beautiful. Philip had to spend more time kissing and touching him, loving him with hands and mouth. How had he gotten so lucky to find someone like Amory, someone who loved him so much, who gladly took on his burdens? Someone who did everything for Philip’s happiness, including finding a way to give him a child. And how he wanted to make Amory happy, happier than he had ever been. If his gaze became filled with something like awe, if his hands moved over Amory in a way that could only be described as reverent, well, Amory deserved to be worshipped.

  After a while, he used the oil to slick his fingers and slid one slowly into Amory, enjoying the sweet little whimper he made. For the longest time, he moved that one finger, forcing himself to go slow, arousing without urgency. And loving how Amory writhed beneath him. But it couldn’t go on forever. Their awkwardness might have melted away in leisurely kisses and touches, but urgency reared up to take its place.

  When he finally pushed into Amory, they both moaned. After a moment to savor the feeling of being tightly held inside Amory, Philip began to move, spurred on by Amory’s gasps and moans and the way Amory wrapped himself around Philip and held on with all he had. But Philip wanted more and closer. As much as he’d said they should forget there was anything different about that night, there was something different, something special that could come from it.

  He pulled out of Amory and sat back.

  “Pip, what—” Amory’s question turned into a gasp as Philip flipped him over onto his stomach and pushed back inside slowly. He draped himself over Amory’s back, tucking his chin over Amory’s shoulder.

  “Yes,” Amory whispered and took Philip’s hands, tangling their fingers together, connecting them even further. Philip murmured his agreement and began to move in long, slow strokes that took them spiraling into pleasure.

  Later, they snuggled together under the covers, drowsy and sated. Amory nestled his head into the curve of Philip’s neck, making him smile. How had he ever slept without Amory’s warmth pressed against him?

  “Do you think it worked?” Amory asked, his voice sleepy.

  “I don’t know.” But even if it hadn’t, the night had been perfect.

  TWO DAYS later, they found out it had, in fact, worked. Jadis could tell with a simple use of his Talent that Amory was with child. It only took a moment or two, and he left Amory and Philip as soon as he delivered the news.

  Philip looked as stunned as Amory felt at the healer’s pronouncement. He’d wondered over the last couple of days if he could use his own Talent to find out if he was with child, but he hadn’t tried. Maybe he’d been a little afraid to know either way.

  He and Philip stared at each other in silence for long moments. Emotion tangled and tumbled in Amory, a jumble of too many feelings. Surprise, yes, a little fear, something odd and unnameable at the idea that he was carrying a child inside of him. And an almost overwhelming joy.

  The same joy lit Philip’s eyes, and they grinned, falling into each other’s arms. Then they were laughing and kissing, and it was only when he tasted salt that he realized he was crying, but he didn’t care, because Philip was crying too. After the tears stopped, they clung together. Amory let the joy and fear wash through him as he buried his face in Philip’s neck, inhaling Philip’s comforting, familiar scent. They were having a child.

  The last weeks of winter passed almost mundanely into spring after that momentous event. No one knew of the baby except him, Philip, Jadis, and Savarin. Amory and Philip discussed it at length and decided they would wait to tell anyone Amory was with child. With a threat hanging over Amory’s head, with not knowing how to tell everyone, waiting was best. And even though neither of them spoke of it, Amory knew they were both worried about the risks of Amory carrying a child.

  The calendar filled with social engagements in late winter and early spring. Elodie was in her element at each and every one, glowing all the more because she was often attended by Vasco’s brother, Faron. Vasco and the rest of his family were usually present, as were some of Philip’s cousins. Cathal’s
attitude seemed to be softening, but he was still a little cool toward Amory. He thought Cathal’s embarrassment over his previous behavior caused him to keep his distance, but Amory remained most comfortable with Etan out of Philip’s cousins. Adeline’s wedding ushered in the spring. Amory found it laughable how puffed up Arnau was throughout the ceremony, but Adeline was happy, which was all Amory wanted.

  Through it all, he became all the happier with their decision not to tell anyone about the baby. He was still learning to accept his own condition. Jadis hadn’t lied about the potential physical discomfort. Fatigue dragged at him. Minor nausea plagued him in the mornings during the first couple of months, and there were strange aches and soreness in his muscles as his body came to accommodate the growing baby inside him. But the mental discomfort bothered him the most. There were times he could not understand how he was a man who was with child. Even though the idea had been his, it seemed wrong. But when those thoughts surfaced, or when the physical discomfort increased, he reminded himself what he was going through it for—their child, his and Philip’s, and he wanted that child.

  Philip wanted the child too, which became more apparent each day. Philip worried about Amory, but he was plainly happy, smiling a small, secretive smile and brushing his fingers over Amory’s stomach often. Gentle and filled with wonder. Amory found it odd at first, but it was nice, that little touch. Different, really, because the gesture wasn’t about Amory as Philip’s other touches were, but about the child inside him as well.

  Not that there was any outward indication of the child, not for months anyway, until there suddenly was. While dressing one morning, he realized there was a slight curve to what had once been his flat abdomen. He stopped, shirt dangling from the fingers of one hand as he rested his other on the small bump. He examined his reflection in the large mirror in their dressing room, surprised by the change. He shouldn’t have been. Intellectually, he knew the change was coming, and yet… he hadn’t expected it, not truly. And he wasn’t sure how he felt about it. Part of him recoiled at the sight, but part was elated at the tangible sign his child was healthy and growing, making the fatigue and pain worth it. The turmoil kept him paralyzed in front of the mirror.

  Philip appeared behind him. Amory watched in the mirror as Philip studied Amory’s reflection and then placed his hand over Amory’s. The warm weight of Philip’s palm over his was reassuring in ways Amory almost couldn’t comprehend.

  “Are you all right?” Philip asked, perceptive as always.

  “Yes.” He would be.

  Philip kissed Amory’s temple. “I suppose we’ll have to think about new clothes soon.”

  That was something he wasn’t quite ready for. He pulled on his shirt and tunic and tied the cloth belt looser around his waist. “We’ll have to think about telling people.”

  Philip’s expression became thoughtful. “Do you think we should? Tell people?”

  Even though he’d said it, Amory didn’t know how to answer Philip. “I—I don’t think I’m ready for everyone to know.”

  “Not everyone. Maybe a few people close to us to start.” Philip pulled Amory against him, his hands rubbing up and down Amory’s back in a way that instantly soothed.

  They should. Elodie and Adeline certainly, Etan and Tristan too. It was time, even if Amory didn’t feel ready. He sighed and nodded.

  He and Philip decided to tell them together, all at once, but as they stood in front of their friends and family, Amory wasn’t certain they’d made the right decision. Perhaps they should have told them each on their own. When Philip finished speaking, the group stared. Amory would have laughed at the blank shock on their faces if he weren’t so worried about what they would say once the shock wore off. Philip held Amory’s hand tightly—Amory wasn’t sure if it was for Philip’s comfort or his own, but he took it either way.

  “You’re not joking, are you?” Etan asked, breaking the silence after what felt like an eternity.

  “No, we’re not.” Philip glanced at Amory and back to Etan.

  “I didn’t think so, not with a story like that.” Etan smiled, but he still looked more than a little dazed. “You’re having a child. Unbelievable.”

  Tristan shook his head. “The things you get yourself into, Amory. I can’t even imagine.”

  “It’s amazing.” Adeline’s laugh was surprised but delighted, and she jumped up from her seat beside Elodie to hug Amory. He wrapped his free arm around her, so grateful tears came to his eyes. He blinked them away before anyone saw.

  “It really is. But I still can’t imagine it,” Tristan said.

  Etan nodded. “I can’t either, but I’m very happy for you both.”

  Tristan and Etan gathered around and there were more hugs, and Amory felt the knot of fear and anxiety loosening inside him. It might be all right. Until Philip looked back toward the couch.

  “Elodie?”

  She’d risen but hadn’t moved farther than that, her hands clenched in front of her. “You didn’t tell me.”

  “We’re telling you now,” Philip said.

  “But you didn’t tell me before. It’s been months, and I had no idea.” Elodie stamped her foot, and Amory braced himself. He knew the signs of Elodie winding herself up into one of her occasional tantrums. She was a sweet girl, but the tantrums came at the oddest moments for the strangest reasons. “I’m your sister.”

  “Yes, and Adeline is Amory’s sister, and we’re telling you both now.” Philip’s voice was calm and patient, but Amory could feel the tension in his frame just standing next to him.

  “But you should have told me before. You should have told me when you made the decision. I had no idea you were thinking about this. I didn’t know it was possible. You should have told me.”

  Amory tried not to wince as Elodie’s voice became increasingly shrill. He couldn’t understand why she was so angry. As much as he loved Elodie, she had no part of their decision to have a child.

  “Elodie, calm down. Now.” Philip’s firm tone was overly patient, which showed how little patience he had left. “There was no reason to tell you then. It was our decision, mine and Amory’s alone. We’ve told you now we know that Amory and the baby are well, and we hope you’ll be happy for us.”

  Elodie stared at Philip for a long moment. The rest of them were silent as well, Etan, Tristan, and Adeline standing awkwardly by. Amory couldn’t blame them. He wished he weren’t there. Elodie’s angry expression melted into a pout.

  “Of course I’m happy for you,” she said, her tone a bit grudging, but knowing Elodie, she would calm down and be enthusiastic by tomorrow.

  Amory supposed it could have gone worse.

  THERE HAD been no attempts on Amory’s life in the months since their return from their wedding trip. Far from calming Philip’s anxiety, the waiting and lack of information only made it worse, especially given Amory was with child. He assumed the new security measures were helping, that their unknown enemy was having trouble getting to Amory. The thought gave him some satisfaction but no comfort. He couldn’t believe whoever wanted to kill Amory would give up.

  He was almost relieved when they received information through Savarin that someone was trying to hire a sorcerer to kill Amory, presumably having little luck getting close to Amory any other way. Philip had hoped the information would lead them to their enemy, but it seemed he found out somehow and went to ground. Philip was enraged, but he tried to calm himself for Amory’s sake. Amory was frustrated and angry and despairing in a way that scared Philip, and Amory needed to stay calm, or as calm as possible, for his health and the health of the child.

  At least they thwarted their enemy’s search. If they wanted a sorcerer of any skill and power, they would have to go outside Tournai. Not impossible, but much more difficult. Savarin was discreetly contacting sorcerers he knew outside Tournai to warn them, hoping to make it even more difficult.

  But they went on, as if they weren’t worrying constantly, as if Philip wasn’t scared all t
he worrying would affect Amory and the child he carried. At times he wondered if they should have waited until Amory was safe again to have a child. He’d thought it best to continue their lives as normally as possible. But seeing the strain on Amory sometimes… he wondered.

  Not that Amory let the strain show, at least not to anyone except Philip. That night, at Elodie’s birthday ball, he was the epitome of a gracious prince, socializing and dancing with Philip. Amory had to be tired and anxious, but he didn’t look it. He glowed, the most beautiful thing Philip had ever seen. Philip couldn’t keep himself from touching Amory, holding his hand, resting a hand low on his back, or even putting an arm around him. He managed somehow not to touch the slight curve to Amory’s abdomen, hidden under cleverly worn clothes, but he fought the temptation to do so all the time. He was drawn to it, the physical evidence of their child.

  “Sit for a while?” he asked Amory as he led him off the dance floor.

  Amory gave him a look that said he knew perfectly well what Philip was doing, trying to get Amory off his feet. But he didn’t protest, which told Philip he was correct about Amory feeling tired, maybe sore. “For a little while. And maybe something to drink.”

  Somehow they both acquired glasses of wine punch as they made their way back to their thrones through the crowd. Another dance began behind them, and Philip smiled to hear Elodie’s laughter. She was enjoying herself. He didn’t delude himself into thinking her happiness didn’t have something to do with Faron’s attention, but he knew it didn’t stem entirely from that.

  Etan was standing near the thrones with Tristan, the two in some sort of conversation to the exclusion of everyone around them, which they broke off to greet Philip and Amory. Philip caught the mischief in Amory’s eyes when he looked at the other two men, but Amory hid what would probably have been a smirk behind his glass.

  “Ugh.” Amory jerked the cup away from his face.