“The igni are very selective about who can have this responsibility. At any point in time, they only allow two people in all the after-realms to be born with the blood of a human, demon, and angel. That’s the Scala and the Scala Heir, am I right?”
“Correct.” I can’t shake the feeling that another shoe is going to drop, though. No one understands how my powers work. Even I don’t understand everything. All the records have been erased, and when the igni try to explain, it’s all a bunch of gibberish.
A gleam of satisfaction shines in Connor’s mismatched eyes. “This is where things turn unfortunate. I’m sure you both know that the Scala Heir is almost always the child of a thrax maiden and a Greater Demon.”
Octavia steps forward. “We checked through all the records with Cryptan. That’s been the genesis of the Scala Heir for more than five thousand years.”
Connor’s voice turns gentle. “That isn’t to say that mixed-blood parents don’t try for children. It simply doesn’t happen.”
My brows lift. Now, I know where they are going with this. Ugh.
Lincoln’s body stiffens beside me. “You don’t think we’ll be able to have a family, do you?”
“We know you won’t.” Connor still seems way too pleased with that fact for my taste. I know he likes me as a person, or at least as a force of nature. Lincoln’s dad almost threw a party when he found his son was in love with the great scala. In fact, he thought it would be a superb way to get the upper hand with Aldred and the House of Acca.
A chill prickles down my limbs. Acca. Connor is happy we can’t have kids, and I’d bet a million bucks that has something to do with Aldred. If we don’t have children, then the throne goes to the highest ranking Earl left alive. One guess who that is.
I want to punch myself in the face for being so stupid. Why did I think Connor would actually change and be anything but Aldred’s toady?
Connor pats Lincoln’s shoulder. “That’s all right, son. Your mother and I love you both anyway.”
Hells bells. This isn’t happening.
Lincoln focuses his attention on me. His right brow is raised in a look that says, “I’ll go with your lead here”. Which I totally appreciate. I don’t want to share my fertility status with just anyone, but I can make an exception for Lincoln’s parents. It will be their grandkid, after all. “You have your information all wrong.”
Connor and Octavia speak at once. “We do?” Octavia looks excited. Connor? Not so much. All of which supports my “Acca getting the crown” theory. Well, screw them. Aldred can learn to live with disappointment.
“It’s like this,” I say. “The igni have made it absolutely clear that they want my child to be the Scala Heir.” I don’t get into the details. Even so, it all has something to do with Verus and one of her visions for the future. Bottom line? Verus and the igni are in cahoots. And since neither of them will ever tell me anything useful about their alliance, I actively ignore it.
Connor frowns. “Even so, it can take a long time to get pregnant.”
“You might want to talk to my mom about that.” Which is all I’m saying on that particular subject. Let them put two and two together and see what they get. Which is the igni facilitating a pregnancy the second it’s possible.
A long moment passes. Cryptan, who’s been characteristically silent this whole time, finally pipes up. “You’re with child, Myla?”
“Not now, no. But, you know.” I shoot Lincoln a flirty look. “Soon.”
Octavia wraps me in a huge hug. “Oh, I’m so excited for you both! A grandchild. What a warrior that boy or girl will be. I can’t wait.” She turns to Connor. “Isn’t this wonderful news?”
Connor pulls at the neckline of his armor. “We better go.” He gestures to the codex. “The evidence is safe in the Vault.” He chin-nods toward Lincoln, which is a move Connor usually does when Lincoln’s completed something amazing. Nine times out of ten, it’s something that Connor should have done anyway. “Great work gathering the interviews, my son.”
“Myla and I teamed on this. She deserves credit, too.”
“Of course, of course.” Connor doesn’t give me any additional credit, though. He just starts mumbling to himself and marches out of the Vault.
Octavia gives me another hug. “Don’t mind him. Many men have a hard time adjusting to the idea of grandchildren.”
“Octavia!” Connor’s voice echoes in from the outer hallway.
“I’m coming.” She rolls her eyes. “He’ll be in one of his moods. I can tell.”
“You don’t have to follow him,” says Lincoln. He’s protective of his mother when it comes to Connor. Full disclosure: I’ve joined that club, too.