Heirot

Tenele blinked. "I've thought about that before. Often. I'm not sure what would happen... We made love the last time and I didn't conceive a child, so maybe it wouldn't work." Tenele nuzzled into him. It was painful to consider something so beautiful that couldn't happen, but also blissful that he was considering it with her.

Vlad curled his arms around her. "We've been surrounded by death and hate for a long time, because we're good at kicking its ass. But perhaps we're overdue for some quieter, happier work. There is more to the world than war."

Tenele nodded. "I want that," she whispered to him. "No, I need that. Desperately... Will you run away with me to a quiet little island where we can become nudists and drink fruity drinks all day." She stroked fingers across his back. "If things were different... and we could have children, you would make a good father. If you love our child as strongly as you love me, then you would be a wonderful father. I love you just the same, though."

Vlad thought hard about her words. "Supposing...supposing it was possible. Would you be willing..." he wondered if he should finish his thought. Would she find it offensive? "If Atul's mortal blood allowed Knight to be fertile, would you permit him to conceive a child?"

Tenele wasn't sure what feeling came over her when he said those words. It was a strong combination of a lot of things, and she thought a little bit of it had to do with how tired she was. But, something about his words made her both happy and scared. "If it were possible..." Tenele pressed her cheek to him. "I would try it. If it is also something you want. A marriage is about sharing, coexisting. I do not want you to feel pressured to give me something you do not want." And then it hit her, like a stone. The reason for her fear became clear.

"But, I don't think Knight can come to me anymore. I called him and he didn't come, Vlad. Something's happened." Disappointment. That's what she feared.

"Perhaps it was the sands. Something about the deserts here screws up magical signals. If you called to him now, perhaps..."

"I could try," Tenele whispered. The fighting was over. Vlad was strong. Atul was strong. "Sagra ne reion, Knight."

Vlad gasped as something tugged, hard, at his soul. He gulped in air. "Once more."

Tenele narrowed her eyes, worried about trying. Down stairs she could hear Atul bounding up the steps. Tenele did as her husband requested, and spoke the words more forcefully. "Sagra ne reion, Knight!"

Vlad narrowed his eyes, and this time when the thing pulled, he dove. A second later, light sparked to life at the foot of the bed. Knight appeared, astral wind whipping his long black hair around his upper body. The magic released him into the realm of the living, and he dropped to his knees on the mattress. Slowly, less alertly than usual, blue and red eyes opened to take in the room around him. He blinked when he recognized Tenele, like he hadn't expected her to be there. A slow smile began at the corners of his eyes and spread to his whole face.

"You're real," he appraised.

Tenele narrowed her eyes, sitting up slowly. "Of course I'm real," she breathed. "You're here!" She dove for him, despite her damaged body, and through her good arm around his neck.

He wrapped his strong arms around her, wary of her injuries, and pressed his face into her hair. "I thought I heard you, several times. A voice in the dark, but I couldn't follow it. I thought perhaps Vlad had truly died, and I would not see you again. I thought perhaps I was dreaming." Pain laced the corners of his voice.

"He died... but my mother brought him back," she whispered. "I called to you... But, something happened and you couldn't come. I was worried I'd never see you again." Tenele sighed against his chest. "I'm glad I was wrong."

Knight smiled. It brought him pleasure to know she'd feared for him. "Yes...I see now why I could not come. Vlad's soul has changed. Not much, only slightly, but Attara has left a mark on his soul. Nothing dangerous for him, of course. Just enough that I couldn't connect with it fully." He drew back a moment and stroked his chin. "This will complicate things. I am not fully formed. Pieces are missing, and my strength is chaotic." He formed a ball of blue flame in his palm. The plasma jerked and leapt erratically before winking out completely. "Hm, that's not supposed to happen," the guardian muttered, sweat slowly forming on his forehead. He experimented again with one of Vlad's spells, a miniature blood shield, only to have it flare wildly and shatter.

Tenele frowned, noticing the sweat. She took his hand. "Maybe you shouldn't be doing spells right now, not while the connection is so bad. Do you think it will get batter? That you'll be able to stay when I call you, like you used to? Like when you taught me to dance?"