Seasons: The Princess and the Pawn (ClovisXZen)

“Servant! My quarters! In five minutes!” an all too familiar voice called from the foyer balcony above. Zen, trying to keep from rolling his eyes, turned to face the owner of the voice, and gave his best fake salute. The owner voice, Clovis, Prince of Greed, seemed to leer for a moment before sulking off to his room. The second the robed wolf was out of sight, Zen let out a groan. He hated being called servant.

A few weeks ago, the Assassin had suffered a near fatal injury at the hands of a rather agitated Basitin. With some split second thinking, Zen used his last mana crystal to teleport to the village of Tylerwynn.   Unfortunately, the guild wasn’t equipped to treats his wounds. Even worse, they knew someone that could; Clovis. The assassin and his brother had already botched one of the Prince’s most crucial missions, and both had hoped they’d never have to see his face again. Clovis, on the other hand, was overjoyed, in a cruel mastermind kind of way, to see the brown wolf again.

He had his best healers patch up the dying wolf, but at a price. Zen would have to serve at the Prince’s personal estate until, and after, his wounds fully healed.

“You’re in trouble nooooow” one of the dog servants said mockingly at the wolf as he passed. Zen quipped an eyebrow.

“Huh?”

“The prince only calls people into his personal chambers for punishment” he sneered

Zen kept a straight face, but he was sweating internally.

The dog keidran just cackled before walking back outside.

The wolf tried to go over the things he had done over the past few days. What did he do wrong? Did Clovis find out he’d been slacking off when he thought no one was looking? Did they notice the food in the pantry was lower that it should have been? Should he run? No, if Clovis had learned anything from the two’s last betrayal, he probably placed binding spell on him while he was resting.

What could he do?

__

With his 5 minutes of freedom up, Zen was standing at the redwood double doors

“Ok, deep breath” he mumbled to himself

Finally, he gave a slow, tentative knock, like he feared the doors would explode on contact

“Enter!” the Prince barked from the other side of the door. Dutifully, Zen entered the chamber. The room was stylized like the rest of the house. Etched wood walls, various pieces of furniture, a dining table, bookshelves full of books of varying topics, and a few portraits hanging. Clovis was pacing in front of the fireplace, his hands were shaking as he interlaced them.

“Close the door! Make sure it’s locked!” he ordered

The moment the lock clocked, Zen turned back around to suddenly find the robed wolf in his face. He reached for a second like he was about to grab, or possibly claw, Zen’s face, but stopped just short and retracted them.

“Can you keep a secret?” he was almost nose to nose, “Can you!?” Those red eyes almost burning a hole through Zen’s. The assassin couldn’t tell if it was anger, frustration, or both. Either way, all Zen could do was nod spastically to keep the deranged wolf from closing the gap further. Clovis just walked away, but Zen could have sworn he caught a whiff of something in the process. Was that…perfume? The robed wolf looked around the room, mumbling to himself and scratching the side of his head, like he was debating with some unseen entity. His breathing was starting to get audible.

“I…I need something…from you” Clovis panted

“Yes?”

“I need…I need…AHHH!”

In that moment, a few things happened all at once. At Clovis’ cry, he pulled out a mana crystal and with a bout of gibberish, fired a blue bolt at the doors behind. Zen had been around Natani enough to know that spell: Silence. No one was going to hear whatever came next. Zen snapped from the door back to Clovis, the Prince having tossed aside his robe, exposing some bandages around his chest. Had he suffered some sort of injury? Like some wild animal, he started clawing at the bindings until-

FWUMP!

Zen had to blink to process what he was looking at. What was once a seemingly flat chest now had two creamy orbs on it.

His boss

Prince Clovis

Was actually a Princess

Whatever was masking her smell was gone as Zen caught a whiff of it again, more clearly this time. His eyes widened, he knew that smell.

She was in-

“I. Need. You!” she nearly roared. With another mana crystal, Zen was suddenly lifted into the air like a toy, and just as easily tossed onto the bed on the other side of the room. Before the poor wolf could recover, the revealed female was now on top of on him, a feral glint in her eyes. With her claws bared, she started tear at his pants with the same reckless abandon she had on her own chest bindings. With Zen’s “goods” exposed, Clovis stared them down with a mix of fascination and disgust. With an untrained hand, she shot down and grabbed his, “jewels”. She was trying to coax it out, but apparently did have much practice on others. It felt more like she was trying to squeeze a stress ball rather than massaging a scrotum. Her breathing was starting to get audible again.

“Tell me…Tell me I’m the Prin-…” she suddenly paused. Zen, despite the situation, spoke up with a guess

“Prince?”

“Of Greed.” she growled

“Uh-“

“SAY IT!” she shouted as she suddenly put a death grip on Zen’s testicles

“You’re the Prince of Greed! You’re the Prince of Greed!” the poor wolf cried trying to find mercy for his lower regions. It didn’t come, at least not immediately.

“Tell me I’m in charge! Tell me…”

She suddenly stop her ministrations. Zen cracked an eye open at a faint sound. Was she crying? He looked down over his chest. Clovis was sitting on the edge of the bed with her back to him, paws covering her face. One part of Zen’s brain was yelling at him to take the opportunity to jump out the nearby window and make a run for it. But another part urged him to stay, to comfort the poor wolf suffering an identity crisis. Carefully, Zen scooched from the middle of the bed to right beside her and tentatively place a hand on her back with a few soft pats

“I…I don’t know who I am anymore”

Zen looked around for a moment. He needed to choose his words carefully or risk setting her off again. Here goes nothing.

“I’m still here to serve my prince”

Clovis didn’t scream at him, so that was a good start, maybe. Those red eyes locked onto his again as she brought her hands down, but they weren’t burning anymore. They seemed to almost be, tired.

“Just...help me” she whispered. She reached up and placed a paw on his cheek

“Help me make this agony go away”

Zen pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her into an embrace. He knew what was coming, and to be honest, he wasn’t sure he wanted to stop it.

“We’ll go slowly”

Carefully, he laid on his back with Clovis sitting on his stomach. The bombardment of stimulation and pheromones had his sword now standing at full attention. Carefully, he brought his arms to her waist and lifted her up over the pulsing rod. Ture to his word, he slowly lowered her. Her breathing was picking up again.

Lower.

Her breath suddenly hitched in her throat as the tip entered her. Her entire body suddenly seized up and went stiff, her toes digging into the bedsheets. No turning back now. Gradually, Zen guided her all the way down to the hilt. There was a stillness for a moment.

“More” she said blankly

“What?”

“More! This! Whatever this sensation is! More of it!”

No point saying no

“Alright”

With her more or less sitting on him, Zen began to start a rhythm. Guiding the cream wolf up at a slight angle, he brought her back down without taking her completely off his gear. It didn’t take long for her to get the hang of the rhythm and started running the show. Slowly the momentum between the two began to pick up. But it wasn’t enough.

“MORE!” she screamed.

She suddenly planted her feet into the bed and lifted herself off the bed, and promptly slammed back down on his junk. Zen winced, trying to keep his composure. Now he had to keep up with HER, lest he risk her pulverizing his balls and pelvis. With no other options, he started thrusting his hips in conjunction with her slams. Her arms seemed to be reaching frantically trying to grab onto something for dear life. One grabbed the sheets while the other found its way onto his chest fur. Her breath seemed to be hitching again as she arched her chest into the air. She was getting close, and so was he. Zen let less of himself escape her folds as his gyrations hit a resonance point with hers and the orgasm was beginning to build.

And with one unholy wait, her folds began to spazz out, and Zen locked into her. The two froze for a moment that seemed to last forever as he fired his load into her. And then, as quickly as it came, it ended with her slumping back onto his chest. Still connected, he brushed a stray bang out of her face. She looked at him in the eyes. No rage, no hysteria in them, just sated contentment.

“Thank you”

“Here to serve”

There was a pause

“So” she purred, “Now what?”

“…Round two?”

She started smiling a wicked smile

__

A month or so had passed. Zen’s “punishments” by Clovis had started to become a regular thing over the weeks. He knew he had no reason to complain, his workload had been lightened slightly. Still, physical labor on top of the afterhour “activities” was making him a bit sore as it wore one. At least he could just write it off to the other servants as-

“ZEEEEN!” came a roar from across the estate. The brown wolf froze. That wasn’t the coy call for a rendezvous he was now used to. This was nothing but anger.

Carefully, he cracked the double doors open

“Yes?”

The room was uncomfortably still as he entered. Clovis was standing in front of the fireplace, but this time she wasn’t pacing around. She was also clutching her red robes tightly around herself as she watched the embers burn. Tempting fate, Zen spoke.

“Look, I know I’ve done something wrong”

Silence

“But, umm, what exactly did I do?” He regretted those words almost immediately as she turned towards him. Her red eyes had a murderous glint to them.

“What did you do? What did you do!? YOU RUINED MY LIFE!”  Oh crap. Zen instinctively turned to run out the doors, only for a blue bolt to strike them before he could reach it, locking him in. He turned back to have the hybrid keidran right in his face. In a flash, she had a clawed hand around his neck and another conjuring a fireball. Any closer to his face and his fur would be singed off.

“You ruined my plans, my organization! My…” she seemed to stop as her face went blank as she suddenly let go of his throat. Before he could even say a word, she bolted into the adjoining room. The sound of retching hitting his ears not long after. He wanted to take the opportunity to run, but one look at the blue runes on the door reminded him he was still locked in. One part of him wanted to try his luck escaping though the window. But another part, a bit quieter than the other, urged him to go to her. Well…he was still probably bound to the estate anyway, probably just earn himself a worse punishment if he tried to escape. Carefully, he peaked into the room to see the hybrid vomiting into the chamber pot. Slowly he approached and knelt down beside her and placed a tentative hand on her shoulder. Once she finished her toilet bowl inspection, she broke down into sobs.

It didn’t take long for Zen to put two and two together. Erratic moodswings, morning sickness. He’d seen all this before, when his mother was…

“How long have you known?” he asked quietly. She brought her head up to face him. She wasn’t crying anymore, but the tear lines were still visible.

“Yesterday” she sniffled “Felt weird for about a week before I worked it out”. She finally leaned back from the porcelain throne and sat on her bum.

“Everything’s falling apart and I don’t know what to do!”

“Let’s start small, what is it you needed to do next? Guild-wise I mean” he asked. She looked up for a moment.

“I have to meet with the Elder Wolf Council. The guild needs resources.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“You buffoon!” she shaped “They can’t see me like…this!” and with that she shot up and shed her rob. She had forgone her usual chest bindings with Zen around, but that wasn’t what stood out. What used to be a flat, somewhat toned abdomen, was now sticking out slightly.

“I can bind my chest still, but this” she gestured to her midsection, “It won’t work on an entire living being”

“When is the meeting to take place?”

“A month’s time” she frowned as she gave her stomach a poke “I’ll be huge by them”. Zen pondered the conundrum for a moment before answering.

“What if we pushed the meeting sooner? Like a week from now?”

“Even then”, she refastened her robe before doing her arms out. Through the scarlet robe, the round protrusion was still visible. “It’s still noticeable.”

“You could pass it off as just being…well, big”. She furrowed her eyebrows at him.

“Are you calling me fat?” Zen just sighed

“No, but if you don’t want them finding out what it really is, it might better to pretend that’s the case”. For a moment it looked like she was gearing up to punch him. But finally, she just deflated with a sigh.

“Fine, I’ll have the courier send word to push the meeting ahead of schedule” she said before poking Zen in the chest with a clawed nail

“But I want you at my side during it.” Zen just gave a slight bow.

“Don’t misunderstand me. I’m still mad about this. I just…” she looked up at some random patch of wall. “I need someone I can trust in case someone goes wrong”

“Of course”

There was an awkward pause for a moment before he finally spoke up again

“Sooo, now what?”

“I think I’m going back to bed after that” she groaned after looking back at the chamber pot. And without much ceremony, she shambled back to the bedroom, threw back the covers, and crawled back in the bed. She almost dozed back off immediately if it wasn’t for the sensation of someone else getting in the bed with her jolting her back awake. She looked over to find Zen pulling up the covers.

“You know, you don’t have to stay”

“I know”

More silence

“Should I get out?”

“…No, no it’s fine” she said as she rolled over and faced away

“I…don’t mind.” She said, almost like she was trying to convince herself it was true.

__

A red eye cracked open into the black night. After a brief scan around the room, the other opened. Clovis carefully sat up and looked at the other side of the bed. Zen was facing away from her, quietly snoring away in his slumber. She looked down at herself.

“I can’t let this interfere with my plans” she whispered as she reached for the nightstand. On the top rested a stray mana-crystal faintly glowing in the dark. Taking it between her thumb and index finger, she began to windup a spell, electricity quietly arcing in her other hand from a small orb.

“Just one zap, that’s all it’ll take”

She started to point her hand towards her abdomen.

“He doesn’t have to know, it’ll just be a miscarriage.”

The spell suddenly dissipated as her hand open.

“But…what if he finds out?” she looked back over her shoulder. He was still asleep, in the same position he was in the last time she looked.

“What am I saying!? I can’t raise a child!” she chided herself as the lighting orb began to build in her hand again. Only for it to fade again.

“Maybe I could with his-“, she immediately shook her head

“No! I don’t need his help!”

The orb reformed, much brighter this time as she prepared to launch it

“I don’t need anyone’s help! I only-!”

“What are you doing?” Zen groaned. Clovis jumped with a shout as she clenched the mana-crystal too hard, causing it to shatter, and in turn, harmlessly canceling the spell. She snapped around to lock eyes with the groggy brown wolf. Going off his half-asleep expression, he hadn’t caught what was actually happening. Still, it didn’t look like he was going back to sleep without an explanation

“Uhh, spell practice!” she said citing the first thing to come to her mind.

“In the dead of night?”

“Yes?” it was then he noticed her hand

“You’re bleeding” he said with a hint of concern. She looked down. Sure enough, the shards from the mana-crystal had cut open the two fingers she hand pressed it between.

“Hang on, I’ll get you some bandages” he said as he dragged himself out of bed

“Wait, I don’t need-“, but it was too late. He was already out the door. She just sat there, dumbfounded as a revelation seemed to hit her

“He cares…?”

The prospect seemed to leave her confused. She looked down again.

“But does he only care about you or…”

Not long after, Zen returned with a few simple cloth bandages

“Here we go” he said as he took a seat beside her, completely unaware of the pseudo-existential crisis taking place in her head. Carefully he took her hand and gently wrapped the linen around her thumb.

“I can heal you know” was all she could bring herself to say, blankly.

“Well, you did just break your last crystal” he said as-a-matter-of-fact-ly as he continued his treatment

“Annnd done!” he said as he finished wrapping her index finger. She only stared down at her hand.

“A thank you would be nice” More silence.

“Uhh, you ok over there?” It was then she finally came back to reality.

“Hm? Oh! Uh, yeah! Great! Couldn’t be better! Just, uhh, tired!”

“Uh huh…” he answered slowly, “Well, best I can tell you is get some sleep.” And with that, he crawled back to the other side of the bed and under the covers. After a moment’s pause, she did the same. Though she couldn’t drift off, not with her mind racing with what just took place. Slowly, she reached down and cupped her midsection. The bump was small, but it was there.

“Maybe…maybe I can do this…”

__

Clovis cracked an eye open, only to immediately shut it as the sun bombarded her eye.  She wanted to just sleep, but she couldn’t, too many papers to go over, review her outline of the discussion at the council and-. Her train of thought was cut as she stopped and took a sniff of the air. Was that bacon? She finally roused herself from her pillow, only to notice Zen was missing.  Right on cue, the redwood double doors open. The missing brown wolf walked in, holding two plates

“Mornin” was all he said as he set the plates down on the table

“Figured since I got up a bit earlier, I’d go ahead and make breakfast.t” And it wasn’t underwhelming either; scrambled eggs, toast, the bacon she smelled earlier.

“You know how to cook?” was all she could think to ask.

“Well, the assassin’s guild did teach us some basic cooking lessons, didn’t want us starving to death out in the field”

“How did you convince the other workers to let you into the food pantry?”

“Well, they’ve seen me go in and out of your personal chambers they just think I’m your personal servant now”

“Might make that an official thing” she mumbled

“What?”

“Nothing” she yipped before focusing on her breakfast. Without any hesitation, she took a bite. Well, it was edible at least. Her hindsight would later tell her that it was probably a bad idea to take food from an assassin, but the fear would prove unwarranted.

However, between mouthfuls, she couldn’t help but notice his gaze on her. It wasn’t a judging, or mocking one, it was just, there. And she hated it

“Stop it” she suddenly snapped at him. Zen just looked around confused for a moment

“What?”

“That!” she said, just flicking her hand his way “The staring! You’ve been doing that for the past 10 minutes”

“I’m just making sure you’re eating enough”

“I can decide that for myself!”

“You’re eating for two, you know”

“What do you care?” She spat. He seemed to take exception to that as he stopped eating and looked at her like she had just told him to jump off a bridge.

“In case you’re forgetting, Princess”, he said with an air of mockery, “you’re carrying my child.”

“Look, I’m not trying to make this harder on you, it’s just…” he looked off to the side “I’ve always kind of wanted a family. I know it’s not really how either of us planned it but, I’m still happy”

“What!? Happy!?”

“Aren’t you? Haven’t you ever thought about having kids?” she stopped and stared dumbfounded for a moment

“I…Had thought about it. Was never really sure it was possible, half and half Keidrans are hit and miss when it comes to fertility.”

“I know things are a bit strange between us. Just…know that I care” she paused before giving a nod in acknowledgment

“Alright”

She stopped and stared at her eggs for a moment

“Needs onion” Zen just gave a smirk

“I’ll see what I can do”

__

A week later, Zen and Clovis found themselves walking down a wooded path. She wanted to complain that they should have taken a carriage down here, but she knew it’d just draw to more attention than needed. Still, knowing that didn’t make her legs any less sore.  Fortunately, the end was in sight as the path opened into a clearing. In the middle was a large stone longhouse.

“Finally” she mumbled. They stopped just outside the two double doors. She turned and looked at Zen

“How do I look?”

“Like you’re about to do some diplomacy”

“Right…”

Clovis looked down and gave herself a once over. When her chest was fully concealed, her growing belly made its presence known in the curve of the robe’s fabric. She closed her eyes and sighed

“Ready?” Zen finally spoke up. Clovis just looked up.

“No, but here we go anyway.” And with that, she straightened up her posture, approached the double doors, and with as much flair as possible, pushed the double doors open. Zen only had a moment to take in the sights. The main hall was decorated with ornate wooden pillars that arced off into the vaulted ceiling. The longhouse wasn’t intended as a permanent a residence and instead as a gathering spot for the various canid Keidran to meet and, at least attempt, political discussion. As such, the only furniture present was a long dining table. Currently seated were the various wolfen leaders of the largest villages in the territory. And none of them looked happy to see who had just walked in.

“Gentlemen! Glad you could make it!” Clovis declared with confidence of a politician.

“Ah yes, Prince Clovis” an elder with glasses said with an emphasized bitterness on the prince part, “We’re so glad you could arrive so…fashionably late.”

“You’d best have a good reason for summoning us all here today, pup!” a particularly large and scarred wolf with dark fur barked from the other end of the table. Clovis was unfazed by the hostility as he took his seat on the opposite end.

“Yes, my apologies for gathering you all here on such short notice” he said dismissively, “but unforeseen events have made it necessary to push my plans ahead of schedule, and by extension your involvement in them”

“Is this the part where you finally tell us this grand plan you made us agree to?” one elder spoke up.

“I’ll get straight to the point.” Clovis went from a relaxed pose to leaning forward in his chair “We’re on the brink of war. The Templar are preparing to make their move, the other Canines have chosen to remain separated, and negotiations to form an allegiance with the Tigers have all but collapsed. If we’re to survive this war, we need the one advantage we’ve always had over the humans, numbers. We need every last potential soldier we can get our hands on. And I, have the means to provide them. The plan is set, the pawns are in place. It’s only a matter of you contributing your end.”

“So what exactly do you need from us?” the elder with the glasses spoke up again. Clovis leaned forward, interlocking his paws.

“Mana-Crystals” was all he said as he let the demand hang in the air for a minute. Finally someone in the back spoke up

“What?”

“My agents will need all the resources they can get, magic is one of them”

“Then why don’t you just bug some merchant at Karne for the bloody stones?”

“Because I don’t want some used and cracked discount crystal that’s going to break the moment any spell stronger than a weak illumination spell is used with it. I need whole, pristine crystals, one’s that can hold a charge for a year if not longer” Clovis stated as a bluntly as he could.

“That’s absurd!” and elder shouted standing up from his chair “how do you expect us to get the crystals!?”

“In my experience, good ole fashion extortion of your peasants is your best bet. I’m sure someone has a heirloom or two you could ‘borrow’” Clovis said as-a-matter-of-fact-ly. The other members could only look on in stunned silence.

“Or you can try your luck digging them out of the ground”

“We don’t have to take this!” the scarred wolf spat as he stood up pointing “We don’t owe anything to the fattened up!” Zen started tensing up, if there was a moment from things to go wrong, it was now. Not even due to the angered wolves, but the possibility of Clovis blowing her lid over the fat remark and lashing out. Regardless of whichever would spark first, Zen had his throwing knives lined between his fingers in his pocket and ready to fling. But the moment never came as Clovis simply smiled.

“Is that right?” he said with a raised eyebrow, “you don’t owe me a thing?” Painfully slow, he raised up from his chair, scanning the audience before his eyes locked onto one in particular and pointed at him.

“You, Xavier. For the longest time, you couldn’t grow a crop to save your life. To feed the village, let alone your own family. Is that right?” There were a few exchanged glances as the pale wolf in question nodded.

“Yeeess, and then you came to me, and my mages enchanted the soil for you. How are your crops now?”

“….we…had another bumper crop this harvest” the wolf said a bit sheepish. Clovis smirked as he noted another individual.

“And you, Haden. Your village’s well ran dry and your feared being usurped when the angry peasants would eventually realize you weren’t able to find another water source. What did you?”

“I, uhh…came to you” he mumbled

“Yes, you came to me, and my dowsers found a new well for you. How is the village now?”

“It’s prospering…”

“Were you overthrown?”

“…No”

It was then that Clovis finally turned his attention to the scarred wolf in the back that started this. He was no longer looking up at the hybrid.

“And you, Percious” Clovis said with toxic sneer at his name as he began walking towards the now sitting wolf “You decided setting your village in the middle of the wolfen heartland was too beneath you, oh nonono, you had to show the rest of us that you were better, made of tougher stuff. So you founded, Llananfraid, the farthest settle of them all, right in the mountains to show your ‘strength’ to the rest of us, to show that you could survive without the help of others” Clovis was leaning in close “What happened?” Percious didn’t answer.

“Salvers happened. Human Slavers. A simple trek over the mountains and the humans had an easy source of slaves from a village that had completely isolated itself from the rest of the pack. You thought you’d be safe, with your soldiers, but you see humans are smart. They waited until you were out hunting, and then they proceeded to cut down every able man in the village and dragged off the women and children in chains, your wife and daughter included”

More silence from the accused

“And so you too came to me, on your knees. Begging for me to stop them, to save your family, and what was left of your village. That you’d do anything to get them back. And what did I do, Percius?” Zen swore the very stone walls around him were grinding in discomfort.

“I had my best agents scout that mountain, and sure enough, they found the slavers’ camp” he said as he pulled out a mana-crystal from his robe. “And I showed them, that even if we can’t draw mana from the earth like their precious Templar, we are just as lethal, if not more so”, sparks were starting to arch off the crystal.

“I had every human on that mountain immolated, except one. He was to return to his settlement with a message. That there was no longer an easy source of gold for them on the other side of those mountains, only death.” Clovis said as the sparks around the crystal dissipated.

“And did I return your family to you, Percious?”

“…yes” he whispered

“Have the slavers ever dared attack your village since?”, the wolf shook his head

“So you see” Clovis turned to address the entire room, “you don’t just owe me some crystals” he paused for a moment.

“You. Owe. Me. Everything! Your prosperity! Your fortunes! Your very livelihoods!” his voiced seemed to reverberate off the walls.

“Everything you are! Everything you will ever be! It is ALL BECAUSE OF ME!” he stopped a moment from everyone to collect themselves before turning his attention back down on Percious.

“And when I come to you with a simple little request, you spit in my face?” he started leaning in again.

“What makes you think I can’t undo everything I’ve given you?”

No one dared say a word

“So when I call on you, you will answer, will NOT disobey, you WILL deliver on my request, or I will personally send your wife and daughter back to the slave pens!”

Clovis turned and walked over the entrance before looking over his shoulder at the stunned elders.

“You have one month to deliver the crystals to my estate. I don’t care the means in which you obtain, or deliver them, just have them on time. Clear?” A few gave frantic nods. Clovis smiled one last time before walking out the doors with Zen tailing not too far behind. The moment he shut the doors, he heard a noise behind him. Looking, he spotted Clovis has leaned again the house wall and slumped to a sitting position. Her face has lost all its confidence, now looking only tired.

“That was the hardest meeting I’ve ever had to make” she panted. Zen sat down beside her.

“But you did it, and you won’t have to do another one. At least not until after the baby is born.”

“After the baby is…” she paused to try and picture the scenario but couldn’t quit form it in her head. And the few bits she could, weren’t things she was looking forward to.

“I haven’t thought that far ahead. I’m not sure I want to” she said, shaking her head.

“Then don’t. We just have to get through on day at a time”

“One day at a time…” she parroted before nodding.

“Alright” Zen said, standing and turning to offer her a hand. She hesitated for a moment before grabbing it and hoisting herself up off the wall

“Thank you” she said

Zen nodded as the two began to walk back up the path.

“Now” she started, “the second order of business for the day; lunch.”

“Anything specific you had in mind?”

“My charge seems to be subtly demanding turkey. A trip to the meat market in Karne is in order.”

“Alrighty.”

“Along with a jar of garlic jelly” she added, prompting Zen to wince

“Bleh! That’s the line for me!”

Clovis couldn’t hide a giggle as she smiled.

The most genuine smile Zen has seen from her in a long time.

__

Karne, being the capital of the Keidran world, was bustling with travelers, merchants, and shoppers alike. Some were selling textiles, others various knick-knacks and trinkets while others displayed rows of weapons. But none of this had Clovis’ attention as her and Zen walked down the cobblestone road. She was focused on the fresh cuts at the meat market. The folf’s nose constantly twitching as the various aromas. She finally stopped when they reached her target, the poultry stand. All manner of birds, plucked, and hanged from the roof of the stand on display. For a moment, the two just stood there. The aged wolf running the stand quipped an ear in confusion.

“Um, can I help you?”

More silence. Zen looked down at his hooded companion. She just stared ahead from under her hood before suddenly delivering a swift elbow to his ribs. She wasn’t going to blow her cover, not even for the succulent food in front of her. Fortunately, Zen quickly got the hint.

“Oh, uhh, yeah! We need a turkey please!” Zen asked politely. The old wolf gave a nod and started undoing the ties on one of the birds

“Smoked” Clovis mumbled under her hood. Zen looked back at her confused

“What?”

“I want smoked turkey” she said flatly. Zen stared blankly at her for a moment before turning back to the butcher

“Uh, you wouldn’t happen to have any smoked would you?” The elder wolf raised an eyebrow before shaking his head

“Sorry, sonny. Most folks around here don’t do that kind of thing. They just buy the bird and prepare it however they want at home.” Zen looked back down. He could only see the end of her muzzle from this angle, but from her pursed lips he knew Clovis was agitated.

“Look, we can have one of the chefs smoke it when we get back. Just buy the bird!” he muttered to her.

“But I want it now!” she hissed. The poor assassin had to wrack his brain to come up with some kind of compromise. Finally something came to mind.

“Look, if you’ll wait till we get back, I’ll give you a foot rub while you eat your turkey.” She opened her mouth to counter, but shut it as she stopped to ponder the offer.

“Fine” she said as she handed off a bag of coins to him from under her robe. Zen quickly paid the shopkeeper before slinging the bird over his shoulder.

“Right, that’s done. Now let’s head back to-“

“Garlic Jelly”

“What?”

“I also want garlic jelly” she demanded. Zen squinted for a moment. He had forgotten about that part of her initial request.

“Is that really a thing?”

“Yes!”

“And you think we can find it here?”

“This is Karne!” she declared. “If you can’t find it here, it can’t be found anywhere!” Zen just groaned. He already knew this was going to be a wild goose chase. He searched high and low, but the most he’d usually get was an odd stare from the various shop owners when he’d inquire about the elusive substance. But finally, an odd ball shop happened to have a few preserves on hand, along with one jar of the peculiar jelly. Wanting to wrap this up as quickly as possible, Zen hastily paid for the off-yellow goop. At least the jar was small enough to fit in his pocket.

“Alright, that’s done!” Zen declared, “now let’s-“

“Venison!”

“Aw come on!” Zen complained, but Clovis knew how to play with his emotions.

“Well, now the baby wants venison too!”

“Fine! Fine.” Zen declared, defeated. At the very least it was something more common than garlic jelly. Another trip back to the meat market and he was able to find a slab of slated venison. Another load to sling onto his back. Before he even opened his mouth to speak, he stopped himself. He knew there was probably another thing to manifest on the list of cravings, and he was right. But he wasn’t ready for this one.

“There’s one last thing”

“Go on”

“…I don’t know what it is”

“…what?”

“I don’t know what it is. The estate chef made it but I never asked him what it was.” She said. Patience draining fast, Zen tried to narrow down the potential foods it could be.

“Can you at least describe it?”

“It was fishy, but not fish.”

And with that, the last ounce of patience Zen had evaporated.

“Are you-KIDDING ME!?” he shouted in the middle of the street at her. More than a few passersby’s stopped and stared.  Clovis visibly recoiled.

“Do you honestly expect ME to find something YOU can’t even identify!? Do you know how stu-!” he was cut off by a noise. It was faint, but it cut through his anger like a blade.

It was sniffling.

And it was coming from under her hood.

“I’m (sniff) doing the best I can! Do you think I not mad at myself for not asking what it was!?” and with that weak counter, her hormonal dam broke as she bursts into sobs and fell to her knees.

It was also starting to sink in to Zen that all eyes on the road were now fixed on them. Carefully, he knelt down beside the weeping folf.

“Hey, don’t cry. I’m sorry.” He tried desperately to wrack his brain for words to diffuse the situation. “I was being too rough on you.”

For the first time since the start of the market trip, she looked up at him. Wet lines streaming down her face.

“We’ll find what you’re looking for. It just…might take a minute.” Clovis just nodded with a sniffle.

“Now come on, let’s go find it. Then we can go home and you can eat and get that foot rub” Zen reasoned. There was a pause.

“And a backrub…” was all she said

Zen just nodded in acceptance to the new terms and offered a hand. After a pause, Clovis reached up and grabbed it.

“Now let’s check the fish market and see if we can’t find it”.

It was a smelly ordeal. The various stands were lined with fish, some reeking from sitting in the sun for hours on end. They searched high and low, every high dollar stand on the road, but it was nothing but the usual selection salmon, trout, and bass. Hope seemed lost, until they hit one of the lower end stands. There were odd things on display, mollusks, barnacles; the sort of things a commoner on a tight budget might buy.  But suddenly, Clovis stopped, sniffed for a moment, and pointed.

“That’s it! That’s the thing he cooked!” she said excitedly, her mood suddenly shifting to excited. Zen had to squint to try and process what he was looking at. It was an off shade of red, whatever it was. Its body was armored, starting with two large claws and ending with a segmented tail. The only thing he could think to describe it as was a “bug of the ocean”

“You sure this is it?” he said, poking the thing, which in turn prompted it to flick its tail at him.

“Positive!” As strange a thing it was, this was still the desired item. Zen once again paid the shop keeper for the crustacean who bagged it for him. At this point, Zen was starting to feel like a pack mule with all the parcels weighing him down He didn’t want to ask, but he knew it’d be rude not to at this point.

“So, anything else on the cravings list?” he mentally braced for the possible response.

“Nope! That’s it!” She said with a smile. Zen quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

“Well then, let’s get back to the estate before it gets dark.”

By the time they returned, the sun was threatening to disappear behind the hillside. The moment Zen opened the front doors, Clovis shot upstairs and ducked into the master bedroom before any of the servants could spot her. Zen shut the doors and marched straight to the kitchen. The chef was facing away, working on some dish when he was interrupted by Zen setting down the various foods on the kitchen counter. Before the chef could complain, Zen just pointed at each individual item with a simple order for each.

“Smoke this, carve that, do…whatever it was you did to this last time”, he ended on the still twitching sea bug. “I don’t care if you have to use magic, just have it done tonight or Prince Clovis will have both our hides!”

__

After half an hour or so, Zen had a tray of the various finished foods; a smoked turkey breast rubbed in herbs, corned venison, and steamed…the word the chef used for it was “lobster”. When Zen opened the door, he found Clovis flopped on the bed.  For half a moment, he feared she’d turned in early and rendered this all for naught. But fortunately, she stirred at the sound of the door opened and looked over the slight rise of her belly at him.

“I haven’t walked that much in ages”

“Time to reward all that” he said chipper as he set the platter down on the table. She stared for a moment, debating if she really wanted to get out of the wonderful comfort of her bed to dine. Naturally, hunger won out as she hopped out of the bed and sat down at the table. At first, Zen thought she’d just sample them individually, but the fecund folf had other plans. Taking the knife, she carved two thick wedges out of the turkey and set them aside, to slice off some of the venison. And finally, she took the tail of the lobster and in a rather un-ladylike fashion ripped it off. Zen merely watched in mix of confusion and curiosity and she dug out the tail meat. Once she seemed satisfied with the arrangement, she took the garlic jelly and glazed it over everything but the two slices of turkey. With that done, she started to stack the meats on top of one of the turkey slices and toped it off with the other slice. And there it stood; a meat sandwich amalgamation.

“What the heck is that thing?” barely paying him any mind, Clovis scooped up the meat mountain and brought it in close

“Dinner” and with that simple designation, she chomped away. Zen winced a bit.

“Well, I’ll leave you to it then!” he said, trying not to stare at the sight any more than he had to or imagine the taste.

“Oh no you don’t” she said between bites as she turned to face him “you still owe me a foot and back rub”

“Do I have to do it while you’re eating that?”

“Yes, I do believe your own words were you’d give me a footrub, while I ate my turkey.

Aw crap

She stuck her paws out at him.

“Get busy.”

__

A week had passed without any incident. Though this time around, it wasn’t Clovis that broke the peace, but rather Zen.

“I’m saying you need to get checked!” Zen pleaded to the annoyed folf

“And I’m telling you I’m fine! “Clovis retorted

“I’m not talking about just you!” Zen countered “You have someone else’s well being tied to you!”

‘Even still” Clovis walked over to the bedroom window and looked out into the countryside “I can’t go”

“Why not?”

“Because every healer worth their weight in salt has seen my face already” She grumbled

Zen rummaged the back of his brain for some kind of answer, something to convince her. Then, it hit him.

“Every keidran healer.” She turned to him

“What?”

“What if you went to a human settlement? Saw a human healer?” He reasoned. Clovis just squinted at him

“Are you insane!? That’s asking to get thrown in chains! Nevermind they’re not going to know anything about the Keidran body!”

“What if it’s a village where they’re still living peacefully together? Somewhere the war hasn’t touched yet?” Clovis wanted to call out the stupidity of such a possibility, but stopped. She looked back up with a blank open mouth stare that slowly turned to a smirk.

“I think I might know a place…”

__

The next day, the two were once again traveling alone, this time to the west. Which also happened be the wrong direction to reach the human territories.

“This is just me, but traveling towards the coast seems to be the opposite of what we’re trying to accomplish”

“Trust me, I know what I’m doing”

“Like leading us the wrong direction” Zen mumbled, Clovis shot him a nasty look from under her hood.

“I’m gonna zap you if you don’t shut up!” she snarled. Zen brought his hands up.

“Lead on, glorious leader!” he said with mock-enthusiasm. She leered for a moment before pressing on. After a few miles of walking in silence, they came upon a wooden sign post. The paint and elaborate designs were faded and worn from time and the elements. Still, the Keidran scrawl was still legible despite the damage.

“Moelygarth?”

“Good, we didn’t get lost” Clovis said with a bit more chipper, Zen suddenly looked at her as realization hit.

“You didn’t know where we were going!?”

“Well, I had a general idea of where we were going”

“Do you at least know where we go from here?”

“Of course”

“…Annnd?” he said trying to gain some elaboration

“You’ll see” was all she said as she walked past the sign

“Great…”

The town was quiet, at least compared to Karne. A few wooden houses here and there, a merchant stand or two selling their wares but not much else. However, one building stood out, mostly due to the fact it was the only two-story structure in the settlement. At a distance, it almost looked like a high-end house, but the various patio furniture and tables on the balcony betrayed it as an establishment of some sort. A decorate sign above the entrance read “Riftwall”. Zen had a guess or two as to what the place was used for. And the moment they walked in, its purpose was obvious.

“You know you can’t drink, right?” Clovis didn’t answer, she seemed more occupied taking in the details of the tavern. Eventually, her attention seemed to lock onto a hallway on the other side of the room. With a brisk stride, she made her way to the other side of the tavern.

“Hey! You’re supposed to at least buy something before you can use the wall!” the bartender called out, stepping out from behind the counter and making an approach towards the hooded folf. All the patrons had stopped their talking and bustling to turn and stare at the scene. Clovis stood there for a second in silence from under her hood. After a pause, she reached into her robe and pulled out a coin purse.

“Have two cups of water ready for us when we get back” she said, dropping six gold pieces into the bartender’s hand.

“Water!? Lady, this ain’t a-“

“You know that’s more than what those two cups are worth. Now hush” she said flatly as she passed by him, motioning Zen to follow. He squinted, trying to make out what was in the hall. At a glance, there was what looked like a mirror on the other end. But as they got closer, Zen noticed the obsidian surface was shimmer a bit. Clovis stopped just a few feet in front of it and started inspecting the runes on the outer rim.

“What the heck is this?” Zen said as he leaned in closer to look at the rippling reflection of himself. Suddenly, something smacked him on the back and caused him to jump. Right into the dark archway.

__

Zen blinked as the flash faded from his eyes and he checked himself to make sure all his limbs and digits were still there. Once everything was accounted for, he looked up to try and determine where he was. If he wasn’t mistaken, it looked like the tavern he was just in, except empty of patrons.

“What the-“

“A Riftwall” a familiar voice stated. Turning around, he spotted Clovis, passing through the runed archway.

“A self-sustaining, two-way teleporter.”

“To where?”

“The other Riftwall”

“In?”

“Edinmire” Zen tried to remember where that was. Then he remembered.

“Wait, that’s-“

“On the eastern border of the human territories” Clovis said as she waked passed. As they came out of the hallway, they noted a Snow Leopard writing something on a form. The moment a stray glance spotted them, she immediately shot up from the table.

“Oh, sorry! Didn’t see you there! Can I get you any-“

“You never saw us” was all Clovis said as she tossed the coin purse at the snow leopard. The poor confused bartender just stared on in confusion as they walked out.

Sure enough, it wasn’t the same keidran village and dirt roads, but a village in the middle of rolling farm land and cobblestone paths.

“I was wrong, you did know where you were going”

“Yes” Clovis said, her smug mood returning “Now, let’s see if you’re right about their physicians”

__

Compared to Moelygarth, Edinmire was much busier with the various villagers going about their business. As expected, an occasional wolf keidran were seen out and about, but there were also a few odd stares and glances from the human populace as they passed. War hadn’t touched Edinmire yet, but the echoes could still be felt.

Eventually, they arrived at “Shepard’s Square”, an enclosed market of various shops and stores. While Zen was busy trying to find a healer’s shop, Clovis seemed keener on eying the walls of the square for whatever reason. Finally, he spotted the universal red cross on a sign handing over an establishment

“Looks like this is it” he said, drawing Clovis’ attention

“Midwife: Deliveries 24/7” Clovis read aloud “…Cute”

“Alright, lets do this” Zen said as he knocked on the door. Then he suddenly remembered a crucial detail and snapped his head back at her.

“Wait! I don’t speak human!” he said in a hushed panic. She just rolled her eyes as she rummaged through her robe. She procured a small yellow pendant, a mana stone shaped like a…fish?

“Put that on, it should sort your problems.” With a nod, she slipped the pendent around his neck. He didn’t feel any physical changes from it, or any indication it was working.

“Just follow my lead” she ordered as she stepped in front of the door. After a minute, the door swung open. A woman in a clean white dress looked down the stairs at the robed Keidran

“Can I help you?” the woman asked. Zen’s ear twitched at the recognition of the words. He was actually able to understand it!

Clovis in response donned the saddest puppy dog face Zen had ever so her make and looked up at the woman

“We…we need your help”

“I’m listening” she said calmly, crossing her arms.

“We’re runaways” she said with a quiver in her voice “My family, they…didn’t want us to get married,” she made a limp gesture to Zen, “but…I didn’t want to part with him. We got close, and-“

“One thing led to another…” Zen added. The midwife’s eyes shifted over the acknowledge him for a second before focusing back on Clovis

“You thought you were just getting fat at first, right?” the midwife asked. Clovis looked at her shocked for a second, before giving a slow nod.

“Then…my father found out. H-he was furious” she started to shake under her robe. “He took a knife and-“she stopped and pointed to her left ear, to the notch in it. Clovis choked up and looked down.

“We just wanted to get an examination,” Zen stated, “to make sure the baby is ok”

“I understand” she looked at Clovis “I’ll admit, I’m a little rusty on my Keidran, but I should still be able to make a proper examination.” Clovis looked up at her from under her hood.

“Really?” she gave a nod

“Now come on in, no point just standing there” and with that, she turned around and stepped back inside. Clovis and Zen looked at each other, her face was back to its normal level of smug.

“Didn’t know you could act like that” Zen said with a hint of amazement.

“Charisma isn’t just acting big, it’s also knowing when to act small” she said as she went up the stairs.

“So was the thing about your father and the knife true?” all she did was turn her head over her shoulder. With one eye, she shot a death glare at him.

“Nevermind” he said, trying to cut the conversation as quickly as possible

“No,” She turned back to the door, “that’s all you need to know”

__

The interior was rather pleasant for a doctor’s office; oak bookshelves lined with various types of literature, shelves with bottles of various medicinal salves and herbs. In the center was a cushioned examination table.

“Lyn! I’ll need your help for this one!” the midwife called. From an adjacent room, a younger woman stepped forth.

“Just pass the tools I need and take notes” she stated to her student.

“Yes, Ma’am” the midwife turned her attention back on the Keidran in the room.

“Lie down here, if you don’t mind” the midwife said gesturing to the table. Clovis didn’t protest and slid on top of the table. This was the first chance the midwife got a good look at the folf’s face.

“I’m going to need you to lift that robe too, sweetie.” This time she hesitated a moment before parting the red silk fabric, exposing the cream colored belly to the world. The old woman, with slow but deliberate hands made some palpations on the side of her belly.

“Do you know how far along you are?” she questioned

“About 4 months, I think”

“Sounds about right. Pass that measuring tape would you, Lyn?” the apprentice obeyed and passed a slender notched band over. After finding the start of it, she lined it up across Clovs’ belly

“Any major illnesses in the past year? Injuries that required a healer?”

“No to both”

“Diet?”

“It’s a bit on a whim right now”

“Make sure to get plenty of iron in your diet,” she turned and pointed at Zen, “and you make sure she gets it”

“Yes Ma’am”

“Beyond that, cook everything you intend to eat, maintain some variety if you can. I know keidran can’t really get away with eating fruits and grains. Also, while fish is good for you, keep away from the exotic stuff like-“ she stopped and pointed at her apprentice whole promptly replied, “shark, swordfish, and mackerel”

“Very good” the midwife answered. Lyn merely gave a bow.

“Now, one last thing. Your baby isn’t moving yet, so we’re going to check on it another way.” She motioned to Lyn once again, who this time, without any direct command, handed the midwife what looked like a small horn.

“How?” Clovis asked over the crest of her tummy

“You’ll see” and with that, she placed wider end of the horn on her belly, then placed her ear on the other

“Lets see” she mumbled as she adjusted the horn’s position “just a little bit to the- ah! There we go.” she declared as she motioned for Zen to come closer.

“Take a listen”

Zen leaned down and shut his eyes. Initially, all he could pick up on was Clovis’ breathing. But as he stopped and focused, he heard something else. It was faint, but constant.

A quiet thumping sound.

“Is that-?”

“Yes, that’s its heartbeat”

Zen just stood there, slack jawed for a moment. Then he finally smiled

“It’s real, it’s really there” he whispered

“Yep, sounds healthy and in the right position as far as I can tell” she motioned Lyn to take a quick listen.

“Now on a human, that kind of heartrate would be a bit high. But for a keidran, that’s normal”

“I can’t get a listen in, can I?” Clovis asked

“Sorry, there’s no way to make it reach all the way over there. Just know it’s healthy and growing as normal” she said putting away the horn.

“Well, that about wraps up what I can do here.” She said as she started putting away all her equipment. “As far as I can tell, you’re progressing as close to normal as possible. Just eat right, and don’t skip meals. The aim is to gain weight, not lose it”

“So that’s everything, right?” Clovis said hastily trying to get her robes tucked in so they could bolt

“Not quite, there’s still the question of pay.” Clovis’s face went blank.

“What?”

“100 gold pieces.”  In a panic, Clovis tried to fall back on her alibi

“B-but we’re runaways! We can’t afford that!”

“Is that right?” she said inquisitively as she strode over towards Zen and stared at him. Or rather the pendent on his chest.

“Between this and the robe, I’m not convinced” she turned to face Clovis again.

“So, 100 shouldn’t be too much to keep my silence, right?” she said smirking at Clovis. For a moment, Zen tensed, half expecting her to give him and order to punch the old lady and run. Fortunately, it never came as Clovis, in a huff, dug out a third money pouch and handed it off to the midwife.

“Don’t worry, you’re not the first couple I’ve seen trying to keep a low profile. You secret is safe.” Clovis didn’t answer as she turned and walked out. Just before Zen passed the threshold, he turned and gave a slight bow to the two humans

“Thank you”

“Of course. Come back any time!”

As he stepped out, he noted Clovis standing on the road, scowled at him.

“This is your fault!” she hissed

“My fault!? You didn’t say anything about hiding the pendent!”

“Well, I didn’t think she’d know what it was!”

__

The midwife just stood and watched the two walk down the road bickering

“They’ll go far” she said flatly. Her apprentice stood by and watched

“So, was that the Wolf King’s daughter?”

“No, I may out of date on Keidran royalty, but I know for a fact the King wouldn’t dare let his daughter out of sight. Not with war on the horizon.”

“So who were they?”

“Who knows, it’s not our business to ask.” She eyed the two walking away.

“Maybe not the boy, he could just be a bodyguard. But the other one, she’s definitely high-born.”

“How can you tell?”

“That pendent he was wearing was worth enough gold to cover your wages for a year, nevermind the robe she was wearing.” The apprentice looked up at her

“Think we’ll see them again?”

“Maybe, maybe…”

__

Clovis kept quiet after her initial huff, just glaring ahead as they walked. Zen tried his best to find some silver lining to the situation to break the silence.

“Well, we managed to find what we were looking for”

“And learned something that we already knew!”

“It’s not good to assume though, especially with the baby’s health”

They walked back through the Riftwall tavern. The snow leopard keidran was still there, this time behind the counter, counting the money in the gold purse.

“Still never saw you?” she asked as they passed by

“Yep” was all Clovis said as they both passed through runed gateway.

“Worried about them giving your cover away?” Zen asked once they came out the other side

“It won’t be an issue in a few months” Clovis mumbled

“What?”

“Nothing” she said dismissively as she noted the two glasses of water the Moelygarth bartender had left out on the bar.

“Didn’t think he’d actually follow through on the order.” She mused, sitting down and taking a sip. Zen sat down beside her

“Sooo, come here often?” he said grinning. She just leered at him from over the rim of her glass

“Just hush and try to blend in”

“With that red robe on?” he said pointed. Her brow furrowed

“Are you so eager to start walking another hour back to the estate?”

“Nevermind.” It was her turn to grin

“Good boy”

____

And so a month came and went. The elders that had attended the council meeting came through with Clovis’ demands and had enough mana crystals delivered to the estate by the end of the week to make a small mountain. For all intents and purposes, Clovis had all the resources she needed for whatever her grand plan was.

And at the moment, she couldn’t care less.

Zen entered her private chambers with dinner in hand, this time a rather odd combination of grilled tuna and olives. But instead of her usual song and dance of immediately snatching up the dish and scarfing it down, she just silently gestured for him to enter, not even stopping to look at him. At the moment, she was standing in front of the bedroom’s full body mirror. Completely in the buff. For a minute, she just stood there, eyeing her reflection, then shifting herself into profile. Zen, seeing no point interrupting the odd ritual at the risk of getting yelled at, simply sat down at the table and observed. It also gave him a chance to ogle some of her curves unabated.

For the most part, she was still lithe, but he could make out the ever so slight changes to her body over the weeks. Her hips had rounded out a bit, in preparation for the inevitable conclusion. Her chest, which was already noticeable, was slowly going up to the next size. Despite her now swollen midsection, she still moved with an air of grace. Especially her rump as she’d sway, adjusting herself to inspect certain parts of her body. His staring abruptly ceased as he suddenly locked eyes with her in the reflection of the mirror. But instead of being scolded, she sighed.

“Just say it” she demanded, sounding a bit downtrodden. Zen raised an eyebrow.

“Say what?” he asked. She brought her arms up.

“I’m fat” she declared. Zen had to fight to keep from rolling his eyes in front of her.

“You’re not fat. You’re pregnant” he said flatly.

“Same thing” she stated unamused

“Noooo. One is caused by one’s inability to stop stuffing their face and the other’s caused by a baby”

“I stuff my face…” came a mumbled reply

“To feed said baby” she squinted through the reflection at him

“Are you going to have a comeback for everything I say?”

“I try to” he said donning a cheeky grin. She just rolled her eyes at him before looking back it herself in the mirror.

“It doesn’t even feel like my own body anymore.” There was no snarky remark from the wolf this time, only a look of pity. Risking earning her wrath, he stood from the table, walked up behind her, and placed his hands on her shoulders in an attempt at solidarity. But her anger never came as she merely raised her hands up in turn and interlocked with his.

“I wasn’t always like this. Not,” she gestured to her rounded belly, “this I mean…I wasn’t always…female”

“Really? I thought you were just keeping it secret all this time.” She looked off at a corner of the room.

“Remember when I sent you to the masquerade?”

“Yeah, you sent us to steal that mask”

“Yes” she said calmly “That was to be my greatest heist. Something neither human nor keidran had ever accomplished.” Her grip started to tighten around his

“And then, at the very last moment, everything went wrong.” Zen got very quiet. He may not have remembered the tail end of that escapade, but he already knew it was a sore topic.

“I was cursed, turned into the very thing I loathed, everything I despised” she let go of his hands. “And then, to put icing on the misery cake,” her hands drifted down to cup the underside of her belly, “this happened.” Without consciously thinking, Zen started rocking side to side with her in his arms in an attempt to comfort her.

“But I’ll fix this,” she looked back up at her reflection, “I’ll turn this around. All I need to do is set this next job into motion. I’ll have the soldiers for the keidran territories, and I’ll have the means to undo this curse! I’ll be free!” She declared, a wild fire glinting in her eyes. Finally Zen spoke up.

“Have you…enjoyed any of it?” she scoffed at him

“What? The weird cravings? The sore feet? Or the ever-growing chest and gut?”

“Are you saying you don’t enjoy the foot rubs?”

“Well, I didn’t say thaaat” she admitted looking off to the side

“And we’ve been able to stay on top of those cravings, right?”

“Speaking of which,” she looked over at the table through the mirror, “I’m about to have at that tuna.”

“I know it’s a lot to take in, but I don’t think it’s as bad as you’ve been painting it”

“Oh yeah right! Let’s see you carry around a baby for-“ her rant was cut early as she suddenly stopped, seemingly looking off like she was trying to hear something. Zen quipped an eyebrow, but couldn’t hear anything out of the ordinary

“What hap-“ he was cut off as she abruptly reached up, grabbed his arm, and pulled it down to the side of her belly.

“Wha-“

“Wait” Zen obliged and didn’t move. For what exactly, he wasn’t sure.

Then, it happened. It was faint, but it was there. Something fluttered from within

“It…it moved” she whispered as she turned to face him with a look that had a mix of surprise, shock, and…joy?

“It moved! It moved! It moved!” she chanted as she hopped up and down, prompting Zen to lean away a bit to keep from getting smack in the face by her chest. Yep, that was joy. Once her excitement died down, Zen did something he wouldn’t have dared attempt prior. He knelt down in front of her, both hands guiding to rest on the fuzzy orb. The most important orb on the planet as far as he was concerned.

“5 months…So small and already kicking like a champ”

“It’s real,” she declared, “The morning sickness, the soreness. Just symptoms. The doctor’s visit was one thing, but to actually feel it…” Zen rested ever so slightly on her belly.

“Is it so bad now?” he asked, sporting a pair of puppy eyes at her.

“Well, maybe not” she said looking away a moment before glaring back at him “But I’m calling on that foot rub when I’m done with the tuna”

__

Ever since their child’s quickening, Clovis had mellowed out. At least a little bit anyway. Something was always sore, and there was always another one of her never ending cravings to indulge.-- Natani had once teased Zen for having a “cast iron stomach,” but even by his peasant standards, Clovis’ requests continued to baffle him-- the most recent being pickles wrapped in bacon.  However, a new issue was preparing to rear its head today, eager as ever to take at least one of the expectant parents by surprise.

“Zen!” came a familiar call from the bedroom, prompting the wolf to peak up from his book in the study before setting it down and making his way upstairs. He peaked his head in the door and spotted the folf sitting on the edge of the bed. She was wearing her cloak again, and like her former wardrobe, nothing else besides it.

“What’s wrong?”

She looked up to regard him, a pitiful look on her face.

“They’re sore” Was all she said, prompting Zen to let out a sigh. At least it was something he could handle with some degree of proficiency at this point.

“Time for a rub?” he asked as he shut the door behind him. Her expression suddenly changed from sad to one of agitation.

“Not my feet, you dolt!” she snapped at him. She brought her hands up and cupped the open air around her chest. “Them!”

Zen approached and squinted at her chest. They were a bit bigger, having gone up a cup size since their first night together. However, he could make out a bit of pink where the nipple had begun to-

“Ohhh” Zen said as he started to put two and two together

“They’ve been sore ever since the start, it’s how I figured out I was, you know,” her ears drooped. “But now, they’re actually starting to hurt” Zen already had a good idea of what the problem was.

“I have an idea.” He answered. Clovis was looking at him apprehensively. There was no way she was going to allow what he planned to do to test his theory. Without any warning, he reached up and gave one of her nipples a quick brush with his clawed thumb. Recoiling back, she gave a cross between a shout and a squeal. She was glaring daggers at him, teeth bared.

“Why you LITTLE-!” before she could launch herself out of the bed and do who knows what to him, Zen quickly point at her chest.

“Look.” She looked down and her chest and furrowed her brow. The breast he has brushed was now leaking a white fluid.

“I was right, your milk’s come in. You were under so much pressure just touching it caused you to start leaking.” Zen stated. Clovis blinked at him.

“So now what?”

“Well, the best way to deal with it is to, umm, relieve it.”

“How?”

“You got a jar?”

“Not in grabbing range” Zen tapped his chin ponder for a moment before an idea hit him. “There iiiis another way.”

“Well?”

“It’s a bit more…direct.” He mumbled. She stared blankly at him, then went wide eyed when realization hit what he was suggesting

“No.” Was all she said, more firm this time. Zen dismissively shrugged.

“You’re going to start leaking everywhere unless you deal with it.”

“But…can’t we do something else, like, I don’t know, just…squirt it out a window or something?”

“The groundskeepers might spot you if you do that.” Zen stated. Clovis’ pupils shrank thinking of the possibility. For a moment she looked around the room, frantically trying to find some unseen solution in a corner somewhere. Finally, she looked down and slumped her shoulders in defeat.

“Fine.” Zen gave a nod before grabbing a chair and scooting up close to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. There was an awkward moment where he stared at her chest. The two had done much, MUCH more than this, and yet this situation was far more uncomfortable than any before.

“We’re going to go slow.” Zen muttered before leaning in and with what little oral finesse he had, used his tongue to lap up the leaking colostrum from her left nipple he had stimulated earlier. The flavor wasn’t bad, kind of sweet actually. Clovis instantly hissed as her fingers and toes curled, prompting Zen to look up at her.

“You ok?”

“Don’t stop!” she barked. Zen just gave a thumbs up and went right back down, completely latching onto her breast, his tongue lightly grazing the exposed flesh. The attention of Zen's skillful mouth was enough to send her into a panting fit.  With a seal now formed, the milk was now flowing freely. Their child wasn’t going to go hungry, Zen was sure of that much. His eyes drifted over to her other breast. It almost seemed lonely looking over there, without any attention. Reaching over with his free hand, he started to stimulate the other nipple with his thumb and index finger. Like the one he was currently tending to, the mere act of rubbing it was more than enough to cause it to leak as well. Well, no point letting it go to waste. Without a second thought, Zen let go, and snatched onto the right.

All the while, Clovis, who just a moment ago had been apprehensive about this particular “service,” found herself in a confused mix of relief and pleasure. She moaned ecstatically as Zen’s skillful lips and tongue worked at her pining bosom, and much to her surprise, she felt her womanhood going warm. Not to the point where she wanted to jump him, like that first night she brought Zen into her chambers, but the experience was pleasantly sensual. She was still quite flustered at the idea of allowing Zen to touch her-- and even taste her-- this way, almost as if she was exposing her secret to him all over again. The gentle intimacy and kindness of the gesture wasn’t lost on her.

A moan was the only warning Zen received as a hand suddenly grabbed the back of his head and shoved his face into Clovis’ chest fur. His arms reflexively flew up for a moment before settling on the small of her back. Apparently he was doing his job a tad better than he had expected. Still, he needed to breathe. Carefully, he started to pull away from the fine fuzzy fur. Fortunately, Clovis didn’t have a death grip on his head as he brought his head back up to hers, pausing a moment to lick a bit of milk off his lip.

“So…better?” Clovis went from leaned back, to slumped forward with a face akin to someone that had rediscovered the joy of relieving a full bladder.

“I think…” she panted, “I just found a new chore for you.” Zen just grinned before noticing her chest was still dribbling a bit.

“Uh hang on. I’ll grab some towels.” He began scooting out of the bed, but just as his paws touched the floor, something stopped him. Looking back, he found that Clovis had snagged his tail. Zen could tell by the familiar scent emanating from Clovis’ nethers that she was aroused, but the look she gave him wasn’t one of lust. She simply stared at him dreamily through her tired eyes as a gentle smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

“Forget the towels. Can we just…lay down for a bit? That kind of took it out of me.”

“…alright.” Zen crawled back on the bed as Clovis started pulling the covers over herself.

“Thank you.”

“Of course.”

__

A few hours later, Zen cracked an eye open. Night had already fallen across the estate. For the first time, Clovis had asked him to spend the night in her bed, or something close to asking it, at least. She had said it was from nightmares, but she wouldn’t elaborate on what they were. Zen wasn’t even sure if she was serious, or using it as an excuse. It didn’t really matter to him though, as it gave him the opportunity to be close to her, even if she was asleep. It also allowed him to do something that had been on his mind for a long time. Ever so carefully, he pulled the covers off himself and scooted down a bit, head level with Clovis’ rounding belly. Slowly, he placed two fingers on its side, pausing to make sure Clovis didn’t wake. She didn’t move.

“You awake?” he whispered. Not to Clovis, but rather to their unborn child. After a second, he got a slight nudge across his fingers.

“Good…” he paused, trying to come up with the right words.

“I know this…probably isn’t the best time to do this, but it might be the only chance I get. And after you’re born, you won’t understand for awhile.”  He sighed

“I know mommy can be a bit…loud, and short tempered sometimes, but she’s-- under a lot of stress. Things are changing for her, in ways she never predicted. You were…something she never saw coming, something she never planned for. She’s just afraid.” He got another nudge.

“Just know this. No matter what happens, no matter how she acts, she loves you. We both love you…” He finished with a kiss on her belly.

“Good night, little one.” With the same care as before, he crawled back under the covers, rested his head on the pillows, and closed his eyes. What he didn’t see, however, was an amber eye crack open after he drifted off to sleep. In silence, a tentative hand reached out, but stopped short of his shoulder, and its owner retracted it.

__

At the end of the day, as the sun drifted down lazily behind the horizon, Clovis requested that Zen bring her dinner to the bedroom. Except this time, Clovis also told him to bring something for himself. Clovis almost never paid Zen much thought when hunger set in-- other than to tell him she wanted something-- so Zen know something was up. With a plate of pork and sauerkraut for Clovis in his right hand, and a plate of smoked turkey for himself in his left, Zen opened the exquisitely carved oak door to Clovis' private chamber and stepped inside.

Clovis was already sitting at her dinner table, candles already lit, and wearing her old red hood and robe combo.

“Bit more dressed than you usually are.” Zen said smirking. Clovis just seemed to ignore the remark

“We have matters to discuss”

Zen raised an eyebrow, she was using that diplomat voice again

“Ok”

“How long have you worked for me?”

“Technically, a few months. Not counting before the masquerade. Why?”

“Since I hit the halfway point of this pregnancy, I’ve been cooped up in this wing of the estate. Truth be told I wouldn’t mind, but there are matters that require my direct attention.” She tapped her fork on her plate.

“Unfortunately, I can’t afford for this secret to be revealed.”

“Can’t you just do the chest binding thing?”

“It’s not the chest that’s the problem, it’s-“she pointed down at her now prominent midsection, “that. The binding won’t work on a baby, and I doubt anyone would buy it if I said it was fat at this point.” She took a bite of the bitter concoction on her plate before continuing.

“While the rest of the staff at the estate have managed to remain relatively autonomous with the daily routines, it won’t be long before they notice this impromptu “extended vacation” I’ve been on is taking longer than it should. While some of my affairs can be handled behind the scenes, some need a face to go with it-- a person calling the shots.” Zen casually took a bit of his turkey-

“As such, I see fit to promote you to my second in command. Effective immediately.”

The poor wolf nearly choked to death

“What!?”

“I need someone to act in my stead who knows the ins and outs of my operation, at least until our child is born.”

“And what exactly am I going to be doing?” She just idly twirled her fork before answering.

“Next fall, there’s going to be a diplomatic meeting between the Templar and the Tigers. The town they’ll be meeting in is Edinmire”

“Edinmire…” He jogged his memory before going wide eyed

“That’s-“

“The town we visited, yes. Currently, it’s being used to house most of the local wolf population that didn’t flee when the war started. They’re a potential asset for us to exploit. We’re planning to cause a…distraction at the meeting in order to bail them out.”

“That visit we made, you were casing the town.”

“Specifically, where that Riftwall came out to. It’s one of the last working ones in existence and it connects right into Moelygarth-- the wolves’ backyard.”

“Convenient. Too bad it’d be impossible to move people through there without getting noticed.” Zen said in a dismissive voice. Clovis just smiled back smugly.

“Which is why I had the tavern bought out and moved my agents into it the week after we visited.” She said in matter-of-fact tone, enjoying Zen’s look of surprise.

“For now the Rift is sealed and the tavern is acting as one of my bases of operation until we’re ready to strike.”

“Which is where you come in. I need you to travel to Moelygarth, and make sure everything is in place-- agents, mana-crystals, etcetera-- and report back to me.”

“And how exactly are they going to know I’m not just pulling these orders out of my ass?”

“Easy. There’s a code phrase they will be looking for; they’ll ask you why you’re here, and you will say “I’m here to pass the coin.” Say that, and they’ll know who you answer to.” Zen just sat there, trying to take this all in.

“Where do I start?” he finally answered.

“I need this done within the month. I’ll need the information to plan out the final stages of the attack for the agents and myself.” Zen stopped eating at those words.

“Wait a minute, you and the agents?”

“Yes. I’ll be there on the ground to make sure the attack goes according to plan.” Zen was starting to get uneasy.

“What about the baby?”

“What about it? It’ll be born by then.” She shook her head. “Still trying not to think too hard about that.” She said to herself, not noticing the small panic attack Zen seemed to be having.

“You’re going to be in direct operations, right? Then who’s going to be taking care of it?”

“Huh? Eh, I’ll hire a wet-nurse or something. They can handle things from there.” She said flicking her hand dismissively. Zen got very quiet

“Clovis.” She looked up from her meal

“Hm?”

“Do you care about this child?” She scoffed at him.

“Zen, I am THIS close to getting my old life back!” She said bringing her index finger and thumb close together. “I can’t worry about secondary details now!”

Zen leered at her as he slowly stood from his seat. Clovis leaned back, looking nervous.

“So that’s it then? That’s all this child means to you, a detail. Just shrug it off it off and act like it never happened?”

The look of disgust on his face said it all. With a shake of his head, he turned and walked for the door. As he opened it, he looked back at her.

“Just remember, that detail has a heart, a soul, and it’s going to wonder why its own mother doesn’t love it.”

And with that, he slammed the door, leaving Clovis sitting there alone and stunned with confusion.

___

Clovis lazily cracked an eye open. The sun was already high in the sky through her ornate windows. With a groan she rolled over. Her eyes opened all the way when she felt her hand hit the bare pillow adjacent to her.

He was gone.

Clovis huffed, she figured Zen would gotten over himself and come to bed, but it seemed he was going to be difficult. That was fine, she didn’t need him! She could handle things for a day!

Except, she was hungry…

And she was stuck in her own room…

She grumbled for a moment under the covers trying to ponder an out to her situation.

Wait, covers.

She grabbed the crimson blankets and draped them over herself like an oversized cloak. It wasn’t an invisibility spell, but at the very least she could mask her voice. Peeking out through the door, she found the foyer to be empty. The workers must have been on break, or slacking off. Probably the latter, Clovis thought. No matter, the beatings would come later. However, the kitchen was also barren of anything substantial. The most she could find was a slab of salted beef jerky. She wanted to think of herself as being above dog food, but her stomach was telling her otherwise. And so, she was back in her room, gnawing on a piece of dried meat.

Still alone.

Her charge delivered a thump

“You’re not helping!” she yelled.

“I need someone to yell at.” She fumed. Then her eyes narrowed as she smirked. If Zen wasn’t going to come to her, she’d go to him!

“That wolf can’t hide from me! Not in my own house!” And with that, she stormed back downstairs. It was a good thing she bothered to remember which room was his. Skipping any sense of formality, she threw the door open and stormed in with her blanket cloak.

“Zen! We need to…talk?” The room was completely bare. The bed was clean and tidy== no personal items on the end table-- nothing.

“What!? Where the hell is he!?” She said as she looked out the window trying to spot him. Surely he was just out doing yard work on the grounds, right? And yet there was no sign of him. Did he…did he actually leave?

“No, he couldn’t have.” she said, her breathing picking up. He wouldn’t have left, not without a word. Did she drive him away?

“No no no no no-“ Her panic was interrupted by the sound of a door in the foyer opening. Her ears perked up at the possibility of it being him, but immediately flattened back down when it wasn’t his voice, but that of two other workers-- and the door was still open! Pushing the door almost all the way shut, she huddled up in the corner waiting for them to leave.

“He’s... ...gone.”

She was alone, all alone.

Once the sound of talking grew quiet, she quietly and glumly went back up the stairs to her room. Without a word, she crawled back in her bed and let out a lonely whimper.

__

Pain, splitting pain. That was about the only thing Clovis’ brain could properly register at the moment. That, and a loud voice berating her.

“Push!” Was its single command to her. Her attempts to follow it just incited more pain, but despite it, she still bore down. And with a cry of pain, it was over. Despite her weakened state, she still looked down.

Blood and fur, that was all she could make out in the person’s paws

A Keidran Pup…but something was wrong.

It didn’t stir.

“Why’s he not crying?” She asked worriedly. She looked up at the wolf. Zen didn’t answer her, he simply turned and walked away, the unmoving pup still in his arms.

“Wait, where are you taking him!?” Zen disappeared into the shadows.

“No!”

She was alone.

Alone and unloved.

“NOOOOOO!”

__

Clovis snapped awake and shot up from her pillow, frantically trying to discern where she was. To her relief, it was just her bedroom, a glint of moonlight visible in the window. There wasn’t an all-encompassing void around her bed...

...wait, the baby! Her hands shot down to the expanse of her belly. It was still there, still swollen, and after a moment its occupant gave a nudge. She finally allowed herself to breath. It was all just a dream.

She looked over to the other side of the bed. It was still just as empty as it was when she woke up yesterday. Zen was still gone, and Clovis was still alone. She couldn’t stand it, she had to look again! Once again, she draped her blanket over herself and wandered out into the foyer. It was late enough that the other workers had already gone home. As she went down the stairs, she was silently praying that whatever forces that be would let her see--

She froze. There was light under Zen’s door! He might still be here! Bracing herself to be disappointed, she tentatively grabbed the  knob, and cracked the door open. And on the bed, there he was, snoring away. Slowly, Clovis sat down next to him on the bed before giving him a shake. After a second, he grumbled and opened his eyes

“Zen?” She asked

“Clovis?” It took a moment for him to register her all the way, and the worry in her eyes. He sat up and looked at her

“You alright?” He asked. She just looked away as her ears folded down

“…No” And with that, the dam broke as she burst into sobs. Zen carefully scooted over next to her and wrapped an arm around her. Once again, he found himself rocking back and forth with her in his arms in an attempt to comfort her. She cried softly on his shoulder for a minute until he could tell she was calming down.

“Now tell me what happened.” Zen asked, to which Clovis gave a sniffle

“I…had a nightmare. I had the baby and…you took him and left, left me all alone!” And with that,  she was back to crying on Zen’s shoulder. Zen wrapped his other arm around her and brought her into a hug.

“Clovis, I’m not going anywhere.” She looked up at him, wet lines visible down her face.

“Really? But, where were you yesterday? I searched half the estate looking for you!”

“Oh, I was in Karne getting material for something.”

“Something?”

“Here, it’ll be easier if I showed you.” He hopped up from the bed and brought the nightstand candle down to the floor. In the corner of the room was something with a white cover draped over it.

“I was going to wait till later to surprise you, but I think now might be more appropriate.” And with that, he pulled back the cover. It was a small redwood crib, complete with varnish.

“You…made this?” She asked looking back at him. Zen nodded.

“Been working on it a few months now, just missing a few rails.”

“All of this for…” she trailed off before Zen turned her to face him, his arms on her shoulders and looking her in the eye.

“I’m in this for the long run.” She grabbed the wolf and pulled him into a hug, more tears streaming down her face.

“Thank you.” Was all she whispered.

“Heh, no problem.”

“…Also, could I get you to stay in my room…for the foreseeable future?

The wolf just gave a chuckle.

“Of course.”

____

With their relationship more or less mended, the two managed to settle back into the current, temporary routines. Until one evening.

Zen was reading, or at least trying his best to do so. Not so much because of his partial illiteracy, but rather every few minutes Clovis would walk past. Completely in the nude. With her pregnancy slowly creeping towards its end, most of her previous attire failed to fit her properly to the point even her signature red cloak was more a light drape than a proper covering. Finally Zen spoke up.

“Are you doing that on purpose?” He said looking over his book. Clovis just looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

“Well, glad to know I still got it.” She smirked “Even if my charge is wreaking havoc on my figure.” She mused idly patting her distended stomach.

“Regardless, don’t you think you need some clothes to run around in?”

“Well, it does get a bit drafty from time to time...”

“Then it’s settled, we’re going shopping!” Zen declared. Clovis just stared at him.

“Never thought I’d see a man like you enthused by the idea of clothes shopping.” She sighed before bringing her hands up.

“Send for the carriage, I know a shop in Karne. I’m not walking for hours on end like this.”

__

After a much quicker journey to Karne than their last one, Zen and Clovis found themselves in front of the store in question. Being a man without much in the way of riches, Zen mused to himself that he could get used to traveling by carriage rather than walking. The one floor wooden building seemed unsuspecting minus the mannequin in the window, which was sporting a what was by Keidran standards a rather elegant dress. Zen was in his usual pants while Clovis was bound in her red cloak as best she could, any attempt at concealing her middle having long since been abandoned. She was banking that coming into town late would lessen the chance of someone recognizing her.

“Be ready, I’ve been told the owner of this place is a bit…hyper active.” She said as she started to approach the shop doors.

“Can’t be that bad, right?” Zen tried to reason. Still, he subconsciously braced as the door opened. It was a tidy little place, the racks and walls lined with various articles of clothing, some basic knit while others were elegant enough for royalty.

“Hang on! I’ll be right with you!” Called a feminine voice from somewhere in the back. From behind the clothes racks came a fox keidran, her emerald eyes clashing with her orange fur

“Hi! What can I help you wi-“ Her words turned to a high pitched squeal of delight when she noticed Clovis hiding behind Zen, or rather her large middle.

“I know what you neeeeeed!” She said while giving the clothed orb a pat. This prompted a recoil from Clovis that conveyed the message of “don’t touch me,” though it either didn’t register to the shopkeeper, or she didn’t care. “Maternity wear!” Clovis just rolled her eyes and groaned.

“Look, I just need some underwear, nothing more.”

“Now now.” The fox said, wagging a finger at her. “If that were true, you wouldn’t have come in here with nothing more than a robe on.” She said as a matter as matter of fact-ly. Clovis just stared, silently fuming.

“Here.” She said pulling some things off the shelf. “Give these a shot in the dressing room, see if they’re too big or too small and we can go from there!” Clovis just stood there, holding the clothes in question for a moment before storming off into the dressing room.

__

“Lowly fox bossing me around, who does she think she is!?” Clovis muttered under her breath, tossing off her robe and grabbing the first piece of clothing. It was a black laced negligee and panties.  The thing might as well be see through with how sheer it was. There was a split running down the middle, making hiding her belly with it effectively impossible.

“This doesn’t even look like maternity clothes!” She stated. “This looks like something the consorts would wear!” That was something Clovis was somewhat familiar with.  Still grumbling, she slipped on the night garment and examined herself in the mirror.

“This feels like a joke at my expense.” She grumbled at her own reflection. Her charge gave her a thump from within.

“Oh hush! You don’t get a say in this!” She said, poking her belly side. Turning around, she stuck her head out through the dressing room curtain.

“Uhh, excuse me. Do you have something a bit more….modest?”  The shopkeeper turned from her small talk with Zen.

“Hm? Oh yes! One moment!” The fox rummaged through the racks for a moment before procuring something red and passing it to the folf.

“Give that a try, see what you think!” She said cheery. Once Clovis was back behind the curtain, the shopkeeper turned her attention back to Zen.

“So,” she said as she folder her arms on the counter. “How long have you two been dating?”

“Oh, a few months.” Zen said, trying not to let on that the probing into his personal life was a bit grating.

“Don’t give up on her.” She said out of the blue. Zen blinked at the seemingly random comment.

“What?”

“She may be a bit prickly, but I can tell you two have something strong going already. It’s only going to get stronger with time.” Zen didn’t say anything for a moment before he gave his answer.

“Never. I’d never give up on her.”

“That’s the spirit!” The shopkeeper said before Clovis poked her head out from behind the dressing room curtain.

“How do I look?”

Zen looked up to see the folf in question, who was now stepping out of the dressing room in a rather elegant looking sundress. And of course, it was red. Zen continued his blank stare, albeit a bit more slack jawed now.

“I’ll take the silence as acceptance.” Clovis answered, scooping up her old robe along with the lingerie.

It took almost an hour for Clovis to go through all the articles of clothing presented to her at the shop. After some thorough nitpicking, she managed to find a few that actually suited her tastes. But in the end, it was the sun dress that she chose to actually wear for the remainder of the outing. As for the lingerie; despite her initial demeanor towards it, she couldn’t deny that she DID like how she looked in it. Maybe she could use it to tease Zen in the future.

“Now, how much do I owe you for this?” She asked, setting the clothes on the counter and bracing for some price gouged number.

“10 gold pieces.” The shopkeeper declared.

Clovis quipped an eyebrow. That was…strangely generous. But, she wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth and handed over the requested amount.

“Take care you two!” The fox called out as the two walked out the door.

“Now that that’s done, I think it’s time for lunch.” Clovis said as she walked down the road, before stopping.

“Well don’t just stare, say something!”

“I think you were less distracting without clothes on.” Zen said blankly.

Clovis just sighed, shaking her head.

__

For lunch, the two managed to settle on a bistro on the edge of town with a nice view of the lake from the rear garden patio. Clovis ordered the glazed grilled chicken while Zen settled on the cassoulet.

Once the food arrived though, Clovis abandoned all pretense of formality and nearly mauled the half bird.

“Slow down, the food’s not going anywhere.” Zen chuckled.

“I’m pregnant, don’t judge me!” she retorted before resuming the carnage. “And nevermind me, you’ve barely touched yours! What’s wrong?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing.” Zen said. Clovis wasn’t buying it.

“Come on now, I know that look. What’s up?” She had him cornered, it was either come out and speak his mind, or lie.

Both.

“It’s just, kinda nice actually.” He said, smiling. Clovis raised an eyebrow.

“What’s that?”

“This is probably the closest thing to a normal day I’ve had in years.” He said, looking out on the lake before addressing her.

“What about you?” He asked.

“Me? Ehh, occasionally I’d go out to extort some money from an uncooperative associate, that sort of thing. I didn’t really go out for casual, relaxed stuff though.” She said nonchalantly as if she talking about casual chore.

“Much less go clothes shopping.” Clovis said, tugging the shoulder of her sun dress.

“That does look nice by the way.” Zen said pointing with his spoon.

“Still, you’re right. Today, and these past few months in a way, have been kinda…nice.”

“Hell, I’d be happy too if I had someone to wait on me hand and foot day and night.”

“Oh hush before I start flicking chicken at you.”

“Like you’d waste perfectly edible food as ammo.”

“You’re right, speaking of which.“ Without warning, she took her spoon, scooped out a helping of Zen’s stew, and promptly stuck it in her mouth, giving a contented hum at the flavor.

“Needs more salt.” She declared before reaching for another spoonful.

“Hey, come on! Get your own!” he said, mock defensively holding his bowl.

“Meh” She pouted, sticking her tongue out at him. The pseudo conflict paused for a moment at the sound of giggling. The two turned to see another couple chatting to themselves on the other side of the patio. This particular bistro seemed to be pretty popular with young keidran couples, because most of their fellow patrons seemed to fit that description. Maybe they were just saying  was sweet nothings, or maybe it was just idle chatter, but either way the couple across from them seemed to be hitting it off well since they leaned in for a kiss. Zen turned back to Clovis, smirking.

“Should we be kissing?” He asked innocently.

“Oh hush.” Clovis said dismissively.

“What about hand holding?” He said, cupping his hands together with a toothy smile. His efforts were promptly rewarded with a piece of chicken to the face. Still grinning, he grabbed it with his fork and took a bite.

“Hm, not bad.”

____


The morning sun shined through the window, demanding a certain sleeping wolf wake to greet it. After trying a minute to resist its demand, Zen finally cracked an eye open. At least he had something nice to wake up to. Across from him, Clovis was sprawled out in a less than dignified pose on top of the sheets. Oddly enough, it was still one of the few moments that she honestly looked peaceful. If only that were possible while she was awake. Zen swept a stray bang out of the way of her face. The light movement was enough to wake the sleeping folf as a pair of red eyes opened to meet Zen’s brown ones.

“Mornin’.” Zen said softly. The red eyes just blinked at him.

“I slept in didn’t I?”

“Yep.” Clovis groaned in response as she tried to rub the sleep out of her eyes before clumsily dragging herself out of bed.

“Great, I needed those extra hours to get some paperwork done.”

“Aw come on!” Zen pouted as he sat up.

“It’s the weekend. Take the day off, relax!”

“I don’t know what that word means.” She retorted, trying not to smirk. Zen tried to ponder some compromise between their two stances on work. Then an idea hit him.

“How about a bath?” He asked leaning on the edge of the bed. “At least before you jump into the paperwork.”

“Well you certainly need one.” She said, sticking her nose up at him.

“Come on now. You know you need one too.” He retorted, but she didn’t answer. She was already rummaging through her desk. Ok, plan B Zen thought. He hopped out of the bed, strode up behind her, and waited. When she finally turned, she nearly ran into him. There was a moment of staring between the two before Clovis suddenly realized what was coming.

“Noooo.” She warned, but Zen wasn’t so easily dissuaded.

“Yes.” He answered as he reached down and scooped up his-- what was she? Zen wasn’t sure what official designation of endearment he should have for Clovis, but now wasn’t the time for that discussion.

“Ack! Put me down!” She demanded.

“Nope! Everyone’s getting clean this morning!” And with that declaration, Zen carried his princess over the threshold into the bathroom, but not before the folf snagged onto the doorframe, making an angry sound more appropriate of a feral keidran.

Clovis’ bathroom was a luxury that just about any keidran, or human for that matter, would be envious of. Ornate, polished tiles lined the floor and wall, with wide glass windows giving a gorgeous view of the surrounding country outside, with sheer drapes and curtains for privacy.  The bathtub itself was something more akin to a pool by most people’s standards, and thanks to some clever enchantments, it could be quickly filled and heated to the perfect temperature. After a minute or so to let the water warm up and pouring in some fragrant additives, Clovis submerged herself in the water and seated herself. Zen’s technique for entry was quicker and a bit less refined, causing water to splash across the surrounding floor. Being a poor sellsword, baths were usually a matter of jumping into the nearest lake or river. Clovis didn’t seem to mind though. She slid herself over to Zen and placed herself on his lap, which Zen was all too happy for. It didn’t register to Clovis how sore she was, as her tense muscles unraveled under the heat. It took a bit of effort to keep herself from moaning.

“Ok, I needed this.” She admitted. She didn’t have to turn around to know Zen was grinning.

“See? Told ya.” He said as he poured some water into Clovis’ hair and started working some shampoo into it. There was a brief moment where she thought to herself.

“You know, you’re the first person I’ve ever bathed with.” She said before stopping and thinking for a second. “Well, the first guy anyway. I’ve had one of the escorts in here once or twice.”

“I seemed to be the first for a lot of things.” He quipped in turn. She tilted her head to the side in contemplation.

“Well..I never really opened up to people. Didn’t really have to in my line of work.”

“Can’t trust anyone?”

“I trust you.” She said looking back at him. Zen paused before lathering the shampoo into her hair a bit more.

“If you…retired, say, tomorrow…what would you do? Settle down in the countryside?”

“And give up this estate? I think not!” she said firmly.

“That being said, I wouldn’t be against handing off my title, Princ-I mean, Lord of Greed, to a successor.”

“I thought it was Prince of Greed”

“Lord of Greed sounds better.” Clovis stated as a matter of fact-ly. Zen just raised an eyebrow. Clovis finally sighed.

“...the dragon that cursed me like this may or may not have also placed a curse that keeps me from saying certain words without it turning into princess instead.” She finally admitted. Zen’s eyebrow didn’t move, but his mouth. “Even when you say it, I just hear “princess.”

“Oh…kaaay.” Zen’s face contorted in an effort not giggle at this revelation.

“Though looking back now, I’m not sure I mind how things turned out.”

“Would you still undo the curse if you got the chance?”

“Well, I don’t think I’d say no, but not right now, not when I need to play mommy for the little one here.” She said, idly rubbing her belly. Zen’s hand rested on top of her hand and interlaced his fingers with hers.

“Now it’s my turn to ask you a personal question.” She said looking at him.

“Shoot.”

“How did you know about the stuff like the milk coming in?” She asked. Zen had to think for a moment until he realized she was referring her chest problems a few months back.

“I remembered when my mother was pregnant with my sister, she had the same problem.”

“And was that her prescribed solution?” She asked raising an eyebrow

“Uhhh, no. That was improvised.” He stated. She just snickered.

“Though I’d say it worked all the same. Mind your eyes.” He said as he grabbed a porcelain bowl and poured some water over her head to wash the suds out of her hair. Slowly she leaned back, resting her head against his chest and she enjoyed the soothing warmth. Then, she opened her eyes with a surprised look on her face.

“I just realized we haven’t picked out baby names.” She said.

“I thought you were going to pick them out.” Zen said back. Clovis balked at him.

“Me!? I thought you were the expert here!” She retorted. Zen rattled his brain for a moment, trying to come up with some acceptable names for their progeny. Finally, two seemed to settle in the back of his head. But before he could speak up, Clovis beat him to the punch.

“How about Nakoda for a boy, and Amethyst for a girl?” She asked. Two notably wolf names.

“Or Cinnamon and Lnuk.” Zen declared. Clovis winced at the first one.

“No, not Cinnamon. It’ll save me a lot of grief, trust me.” She said before suddenly realizing something.

“And besides, those are fox names. An overly long one at that.” She said. Zen just shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t mind.” He said simply. “I don’t see anything wrong with our kid having a fox name.” Clovis blinked at him.

“Really?”

“Yeah, in fact.” He leaned in close and whispered into her ear. “I happen to know a half-fox who is quite fetching.” He said as he gave her ear a nibble, prompting her to shiver.

“Well, she’s quite the lucky gal then.” She said coyly before dropping the act. “But still, Cinnamon has too many syllables.”

“Then...how about Ginger?” Zen asked. Clovis raised a finger to dismiss it, but stopped herself and pondered the name.

“That’s, actually, not a bad one.”

“And there we go!” Zen beamed. “Baby names sorted!”

“So Mr. Expert pants, think it’s a boy or a girl?”

Zen gave a “Hm”

“Well, there’s an old wives tale that if you grow more outward, it’s a boy, and a girl if it’s more sideways.” He stated as he gave her belly a slight cajole. “But if I’m honest, you were kinda small in the first place, so when the baby hit, you kinda rounded out in all directions.”

“You calling me fat?”

“Nah, just a big baby.” Right on cue, he felt their child deliver a swift kick to his palm. “A big healthy baby, since you’ve been eating right.” Clovis winced.

“I wouldn’t call half the things I’ve stuffed my face with these past seven months right.”

“It’s all part of the package.” He said smiling. She just quietly washed her arms for a moment.

“I wanted to thank you, actually.”

“For what?”

“For putting up with me. The complaining, the weird cravings, the mood swings. Anyone else probably would have given up on me and left.” She said as she looked over her shoulder at Zen. “But you didn’t.” Zen waved it off.

“Anyone with a heart would have done the same.”

“Regardless.” She said, her tone becoming a bit more…sensual? She shifted her weight as she partially stood up and turned around to face Zen before coming back down.

“Allow me to thank you proper.” She said as she draped her arms on his shoulders. And with that, she brought her hands this his cheeks and pulled him in for a kiss. Naturally, Zen offered no resistance and returned the move in kind. His hands wound up going down the sides of her body, across her curves, and cupping under her breasts.

“I won’t lie, you’ve filled out nicely since the start of this.” She hissed initially at the grab, but for once, she didn’t take the remark at her body as an insult.

“I don’t think we have to pretend we don’t know where this is going” she said smirking

“No. No we don’t.” Zen replied slyly. The hip gyrations Clovis was putting on his lap already had him up and ready to go. Carefully, she started to raise herself over his manhood. But just as she was about to lower herself down, she stopped and looked back up at Zen.

“Wait, is this safe? For the baby I mean.” She asked, her expression of genuine concern.

“Uhh, I think so?” Zen said, a bit blindsided by the question. Her grin slowly returned.

“Oh, well in that case--“, she abruptly slammed down on his red rocket, prompting the poor wolf to cry out in surprise. “--Let’s get to the point.” She said while Zen tried to collect himself

“Nothing subtle with you is there?”

“Oh hush, you love it.”

“Yeah,” he panted. “You’re right.” And with that, it was time to abandon any semblance of self-restraint as Zen placed his muzzle between her breasts. Yep, still squishy, fluffy, and wonderful. He felt her place a hand on his chest and abruptly shoved Zen onto his back. If the two hadn’t been on the shallow end of the bath, his head would have been underwater. Clovis looked down upon him, smirking.

“Now just lay back,” She purred as she leaned over him, her breasts dangling over his face.

“And let me, treat you.”

She started her slow rises and falls over and over, all the while holding Zen in place with her hand to his chest. More than likely it was to keep from toppling over from her off center of gravity.

“You-ah- deserve to be treated to, you know.” Zen panted under the rising and falling folf.

“But you’ve done –hiss- so much mor-AH!” she tried to retort, only to be cut off as the knot brushed against her entrance, causing everything from her belly to her chest to jiggle as her body tensed up for a second.

“Then how about…” he reached up and held a hand behind her head, guiding her down so he could whisper into her ear. “We treat each other?” Rather than give a direct answer she merely nodded her head against his in a slight twitch. Rather than the frantic pace the two had used during their child’s conception, Zen slowed down. Slow, deep, and deliberate where his movements. He was going to keep this going for as long as his stamina would allow him.

He wanted the gods themselves to be jealous.

Their bodies writhed together in the water, waves rippling across its surface. Her moans a harmony to his panting. He wasn’t sure how long they hang managed to hold out, but eventually, the moment was reaching its crescendo. Her body was now shivering at every thrust, anticipating the end. He could feel it too as his rod was aching for its release. The two of them had finally reached their limit.

“Ready?” He asked between pants. She opened her eyes for a moment, locked hers onto his, and nodded. And in that moment, he pressed his hips against hers, sent the knot into her folds with a pop, and locked the two of them together. Meanwhile a moan grew in Clovis’ throat, growing louder, and louder, until finally she arched her back as she cried to the ceiling in bliss. And in that moment of raw instinct, they both grabbed onto each other for dear life as their near simultaneous orgasm wracked bother of their bodies. With every last possible ounce of energy spent, Zen let himself fall back against the bath stairs in a dazed mess. Somehow, Clovis had managed to stay upright despite being in a similarly exhausted state, albeit leaning a bit backwards away from him. Maybe the knot was anchoring her in place, who could tell? Her hands haphazardly resting on her belly. After a moment of stillness, she leaned back forwards. Her eyes wearily found Zen’s again.

“We woke the baby.”

The two of them share a chuckle before Zen reached up, giving the furry orb a brief rub.

“Well then little fella” Zen said while rubbing Clovis’ belly with his hand “hopefully you’ll move out and get your own room soon.” Clovis gave Zen a giggle in response. “So…we getting out of the tub?”

“Mmm, giving it a minute.” She said dismissively as she laid on top of him as best she could.

“Besides, I don’t think either of us are going anywhere for a while. I think we’re still locked together.”

“Good, good….’cause I can’t feel my legs

___________________________

A few weeks later, Zen was watching Clovis pace around her room, a ritual had been going on most of the day. Finally, he asked what he’d later consider to be the dumbest question possible.

“You ok?” Zen asked her. Clovis glared at him with look that could make a statue crumble.

“No! I’m not ok!” She spat. “I’m sore!”

“Where?” Another unknowingly stupid question to ask.

“My feet! My chest! Everything!” She shouted as she cast her hands to the ceiling. “I’m bloated! My damn skin hurts! I hate this!”

“Honey, you’re just tense-“ But Zen was cut short as Clovis was suddenly in his face.

“Don’t you “Honey” me!” she snarled, teeth bared. The usually unfazed wolf found himself hastily backpedaling a few feet. She clicked her claws together as she seemed to sweep the room, as if looking for some unseen tormentor.

“It’s just…Just-“ She suddenly turned away and yelled at the top of her lungs at the ceiling in frustration.

“I can’t take this!” She snapped, screaming possibly at the gods. “You’ve had your fun mocking me, and I’ve had enough! Make! It! STOOOP!” It was then that Zen noticed something.

“Uhhh, Ho-Clovis? You’re leaking.”

“What do you mean I’m leaking again!? You just took care of them an hour ago!”

“I, uhh, didn’t mean your chest…” He mumbled, prompting her to look down. There was a clear puddle around her feet. Her mood changed in a heartbeat as realization began to sink in.

“Oh no. Nononono! I’m not ready! I’m not ready for this!” She said looking up at Zen with a look of genuine terror. Zen managed to hastily shake off his stupor and was at her side in a blink.

“It’s alright, let’s just get to the bed. Just breathe, don’t forget your breathing.” He said trying to calm her down while at the same time trying to keep himself from falling into a panic as well. Carefully, he helped her onto the bed. On all fours, and with no point maintaining the illusion of modesty, she lifted her tail. It wasn’t long before the contractions reared their ugly head, which in turn signaled the return of her seething rage at who she perceive to be responsible for the current situation.

“I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!” she roared at Zen between heaves, something he had to remind himself was a byproduct of the pain and hormones, and not any truly honest feelings... hopefully. She was scared, and so was he. His expertise on the matter was barebones aside from what little he’d been able to understand from the books, but he could still remember a few lines that made it through the walls during his sister’s delivery.

“You’re going to get through this. Just breathe and push when your body tenses up.”

The passage of time was a blur. Maybe it was minutes, maybe hours. Either way, Zen never left Clovis’ side the entire time, even if she almost broke his hand at least once. The pain melted away when he looked back to check on her progress. Something was starting to emerge, rather abruptly in fact to the point he had to scramble to catch it. The world went still to Zen, seemingly surrounded by deafening silence as he held the limp thing in his arms. Clovis looked over her shoulder, eyes slowly going wide in terror as her nightmare was slowly creeping towards reality. No one said a word, the two of them holding their breath. Until finally, in an act of mercy from the world, the cub let out a cry. Zen lifted up the baby as he finally remembered to breathe.

“It’s a girl!”

Carefully, he handed their daughter over to Clovis. The new mother stared at her cub for a moment, taking in every small detail. Most of the child’s fur was reddish, almost like Zen’s, but past her forehead, around her eyes, muzzle, and all the way down her belly, was highlighted with the cream color of her mother. And at the very bottom, her red tail ended in a black dipstick.  Clovis was completely still, besides her eye movement, until she broke into sobs and brought the also crying fuzzy thing close to her.

“Hello, my little L’nuk.” She whispered, rocking back and forth.

“He’s your daddy, I’m your mommy, and…we love you.” She declared as the pup latched onto her chest. It was then that Zen and Clovis locked eyes and held their gaze for a long while as their cub started to nurse.

“I love you”

“I love too”

And with a kiss, they set those words in stone.

______________



A few months had passed since their daughter’s birth. Clovis attended one more meeting to get the final details of her plan set and remind the world she hadn’t died in a corner somewhere. The official story of her absence being she was off tending to a mistress pregnant with his child. The magic soundproofing she had placed on her personal wing of the estate years ago left no evidence to prove otherwise. But beyond that meeting, the folf was at her estate, caring for her infant newborn, no wet-nurse needed. But on this day in particular, she was short of pair of hands as she was trying to feed her daughter atop a high stool.

“Your father is late, L’nuk.” She stated as she slowly gave the cub a spoonful of soft food. “Shall we throw him in the dungeon?”

The baby mostly-wolf just answered with a gurgle at her mother.

“Alright, no dungeon for him this time. But only because you’re such an adorable diplomat.” She said, tickling her cub and prompting a squeal of joy. Right on cue, Zen came through the door with a bag of goods across his shoulder.

“Sorry I’m late.” He said as he set it down in the corner.

“Now where, oh where have you been?” She said raising an eyebrow at him.

“I, uhh, made a stop at Karne.”

“Karne? Just for some baby formula?”

“Well, I got some extra stuff; baby clothes, cloth for diapers, and uhhh-“ He stopped when he saw Clovis still staring at him, unconvinced that that was the whole truth. And she was right. Finally, he sighed and shook his head.

“I had this whole big thing planned out in my head, and now I can’t even remember the lead into it.” He said dejectedly as he rummaged through the bag. Clovis tilted her head at him.

“What are you talking abo-?”

“So here we go.” And with a single fluid motion, he spun around, a small box in his hand that he immediately flipped open. In it was a greenish looking flower encased in glass. A subtle flower.

(Still debating what direction to take this but)

Clovis. Prince, Princess, or Lord of Coins, Greed, whatever. Will you-” But he was cut short as Clovis raised her palm to quiet him. His heart was starting to sink, fast.

Clovis’ mind was racing. She was being asked to commit to what would probably the biggest decision of her life.

Zen blinked as he felt a hand on his cheek. Looking up, he saw the folf, holding the subtleflower.

“For you, yes!” She declared. The wolf, heart mended, was back on his feet and embraced Clovis in a hug. Little L’nuk giggling and clapping her little paws during the entirety of it. The two stood there, rocking back and forth for a moment before they finally looked each other back in the eyes.

“Thank you”

“Always.”

She may not have planned this. But for her, maybe, thing could only go uphill from here.