found a way to trust one another, my sweet. If I was in Bassorine’s boots, I would not be as forgiving for the trick you played.”
Lasidious looked at her belly, smiled, and then frowned again. “You know I would lie to you if I could. It’s not natural for me to be so honest … even with you. Like I’ve said on a thousand occasions, I would never have drank your potion if it wasn’t for your intoxicating beauty.”
After a brief period of reflection, Lasidious continued, “Who am I kidding? Being with you is the best thing for me. Drinking your potion has given me not only you, but our baby as well. I can’t wait until our baby is strong enough to tip the scales of power. It will be awe inspiring to rule the others without voting.”
The goddess smiled. A dark intent was hidden behind her luscious lips. “Sometimes we must give in order to get, my pet. You’re fortunate that I found you irresistible, or I would not have required you to drink my potion.” She patted her belly. “With our baby’s power and the beasts of the worlds who serve me supporting us, we’ll be unstoppable. The Council of Dragons will be a powerful army against the others when our child is strong enough to force them into battle. We will rule without opposition.”
Lasidious nodded in agreement. “The last vote we had, I was worried the others would discover you were with child.” Pulling a chair from under the table, the Mischievous One took a seat and placed his ear against her belly. “I sat through that entire meeting nervous to the point of making myself sick. If they ever find out, you know the Book will punish us. The consequences of being made mortal are more than I care to deal with. I don’t wish to be banished from Ancients Sovereign. To perish before our son saw the end of his first season would be so … so ... so permanent.” Lasidious paused. A look of concern appeared on his face. “What if our other plan fails?”
Celestria sighed, “If our initial plan doesn’t succeed, the alternate is secure.” She reached down and rubbed his back. “I also don’t want to lose what is ours.” Grabbing her lover’s chin, she lifted his head and found his eyes. “Our baby will wield power far greater than the others. We needn’t worry about that. Why else would we have spent thousands of seasons plotting. We have nothing to fear. They’re solid.” She bent down and kissed Lasidious. “Have faith, my love.”
Lasidious frowned. “How can you be so sure?”
Celestria caressed Lasidious’ hand. “Neither the Book nor the others will be able to do anything to stop us once we succeed. With our power passing into our child, he’ll defend us from the Book.” She squeezed his hand. “Until then, we must stick to the plan and hide the baby from the others. He must live amongst the mortals until he’s old enough to rule.”
Lasidious stood from the chair, walked to the far side of the room and started to pace. “That’s the only part of our plan I don’t like. Sure, our son will defend us from the Book, but if the Book and the others choose to stand united, the battle would be lost until he’s older. Hiding him won’t be easy.”
Celestria responded with renewed vigor. “Hence the need to create diversions, my pet. That’s why you brought George into the worlds. You were right. His heart is filled with greed, and his desire for power will be easily channeled. All we need to do is influence the mortal to seize control of Southern Grayham, and war will follow. This should keep the others’ attention off my pregnancy. They’ll be forced to focus on the havoc.”
“And if he fails?” Lasidious queried.
“We’ll find another mortal. You’ve said it yourself. He’s replaceable.” The goddess changed the subject. “For now, I have news, my pet.” Celestria walked around the table and pulled her lover close. She traced the edge of his lips with her tongue. “I’ve found a family, and they believe a world under our rule will allow them to seek what they’re after.”
“But, of course,” Lasidious responded. “Exactly what are they after?”
“Lands ... titles,” the goddess trivialized. “The usual luxuries simple minds request.”
After a quick grin, the goddess continued. “I shall leave our baby with this family of witches. They are known by the surname Rolfe, from the Clan