After a moment, as Alyce straightened and turned within the circle of his arm, to lean against his chest and also meet the king's eyes, Kenneth gave a cautious sigh.
«I grieve with you, Sire, for your loss», he said quietly. «You have had to live with your grief in silence, since that awful morning when we found the boy in the well. And I understand what you meant to do, and why».
«Can you forgive me?» Donal managed to ask.
«Yes», Kenneth said. «And I can do more than that — because you are my king, and I and mine are in your service, and in your homage — and in your love, I hope».
«I don't understand», Donal whispered.
Kenneth gave a quiet smile and pulled Alyce momentarily closer to him, gently kissing the lips she turned to his.
«Alyce is already with child, Sire», he murmured. «At least she tells me she is. Apparently, Deryni can sense these things long before another might guess».
«But-how…?»
«Quite frankly, it was probably akin to the way your Krispin was conceived», Kenneth allowed, raising a droll eyebrow. «You gave me little opportunity for more leisurely coupling with my wife, in these past few months. It will have happened last month, when I was carrying dispatches back and forth between here and Coroth. I think I was home for all of an hour that week — and well aware that new dispatches were being readied for my immediate return to the road.
«But one makes do when one must», he said, bending to kiss her again. «And the timing, apparently, was fortuitous.
«This child is truly meant to be, Sire», Alyce murmured. «And I believe it will be a son. If you wish it, he can be your son, in every way save of your blood, raised to be a loyal companion and protector to Prince Brion, with the powers of a Deryni to aid him».
«What are you saying?» Donal whispered.
«She's saying that we shall give him to you, Sire», Kenneth said. «Not physically, but in the sense of loyalty and power and utter devotion to your House. If you will have him».
Epilogue
«Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou earnest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…»[31]
In due course, Alyce's pregnancy became obvious to all with eyes to see. The queen, too, was found to be again with child; and the relationship of the two women shifted subtly as Alyce joined her in the role of wife and mother-to-be. Both prospective fathers doted on their pregnant wives, and each paid due deference to the other's spouse. It was a time of tranquility and expectation.
«He actually did it!» said Oisín Adair, in a reaction mixed of amazement and admiration, when Seisyll had reported the dual pregnancies to the Camberian Council. «And not just Alyce, but the queen as well!»
«Well, hopefully not both at once», Vivienne said primly, though she was doing her best not to smirk. «Still, it has been a remarkable achievement. Who would have thought the old man had it in him anymore?»
Seisyll shook his head, smiling. «Never underestimate Donal Haldane», he said. «In his long and colorful life, he has accomplished a great deal that no one would have expected».
«When will she give birth?» Khoren asked.
«Early in the autumn, by all the signs», Seisyll replied. «And the queen at about the same time».
«Just bear in mind that Alyce's child could be a girl», Dominy reminded them.
«That would only matter for the Corwyn succession», Seisyll replied. «If Donal's purpose was to beget a future protector for his sons — a Deryni protector — a woman could serve as well as a man, provided she had the proper training. We could ensure that she had that training. I could ensure it; or another could be recruited».
«True enough», Michon agreed.
«Then, it appears we have only to wait until the autumn, to see what fruit is borne from the king's new experiment», Barrett said.
That summer was a welcome season of peace, allowing Kenneth the leisure to finally settle into contented domesticity with his new wife. Aside from the three present that January night in their apartments, none knew of the incident. Zoë Morgan spent nearly every waking hour in the company of Alyce and the queen, marveling at these new pregnancies and delighting in the prospect of a new half-sibling.
Toward midsummer, Alyce was able to confirm that her child would be a boy. The king, too, was told, and was present outside the birthing room late in September, when Alyce de Corwyn, wife of Sir Kenneth Morgan, was brought to bed of a hale and healthy son, with wisps of white-blond hair and light eyes already full of infant wisdom. Zoë had attended the birth, assisting the royal midwife and lending the mother her strength, and helped clean up babe and mother before admitting her father to behold his son.
Kenneth entered very tentatively, craning his neck for a glimpse of the babe as he approached his wife's bed. Alyce's face, as she looked up at him over the downy head cupped at her breast, proclaimed joy and contentment along with the weariness of the birthing — and love for the man who sat tentatively on the edge of the bed and bent to kiss her forehead.
«Are you well, dearest heart?» he whispered.
She smiled and lifted her lips to his. «I am well», she replied. «And we have a son, indeed».
As she glanced down adoringly at the child in her arms, briefly pulling aside his blankets to display his perfect form, Kenneth let his eyes drink in the wonder of the babe, bent to kiss the golden fluff at the top of his head.
«May I hold him?» he murmured.
«Of course».
He was cradling his son, murmuring sweet nothings as he sat close beside the mother, when Zoë admitted the king to the chamber and quietly withdrew. Both parents looked up as the king approached, and Kenneth gathered his son in his arms as he stood, beckoning the king closer with his eyes. Donal Haldane's gaze did not leave Kenneth's as he came to stand toe-to-toe with the man who held what had been so earnestly desired.
«Sire», Kenneth said steadily, «eight months ago, in this room, we made you a solemn pledge. You need not fear that we will fail to honor it. We give you a future protector for your sons».
And with those simple words, he laid the child in the king's arms.
«Your Majesty, I am honored to present my son, Alaric Anthony Morgan».
Six weeks later, in the chapel royal at Rhemuth Castle, the child was officially christened with that name — the Anthony for Kenneth's grandfather, Kai Anthony, who had fought at the side of Malcolm Haldane at Killingford. Also christened on that day was the newest Haldane prince, born a week after young Alaric and given a string of royal names to live up to: Jathan Joachim Richard Urien.
But both boys received illustrious godparents on that day. Duke Richard and Sir Tiarnán MacRae were among those standing for young Prince Jathan; young Alaric had his half-sister Zoë, the visibly pregnant Lady Vera Howard McLain, now Countess of Kierney, Sir Jovett Chandos, in from Cynfyn, and Sir Sé Trelawney. It was not until later that afternoon, while taking refreshments in the great hall, that Lord Seisyll Arilan finally got an opportunity to hold the newly baptized Alaric in his arms — and made a discovery that was to cause great consternation, when he reported back to his colleagues of the Camberian Council.
For, whatever else he was, Alaric Anthony Morgan was not the son of Donal Haldane. What he might become, only time would tell.
APPENDIX I
Index of Characters
AHERN JERNIAN DE CORWYN, LORD — son and heir of Keryell Earl of Lendour and Stevana de Corwyn; twin to Marie de Corwyn.
ALARIC ANTHONY MORGAN — infant son of Alyce de Corwyn Morgan and Sir Kenneth Kai Morgan.