Accidental Surrogate

Family Lines Ella Henry takes a deep breath then, looking between the children. “I have been very intrigued,” he begins, “by the
idea that the children have bonds with each other – bonds like that between siblings and cousins, it’s unusual. Indeed, I thought
it was unique, but it is not.” My brows go up as I listen with interest.
“The children have created between them...something of a triangle,” Henry murmurs, looking between the three of them. “There
have been rare examples of individuals having multiple fated mating bonds – my son, interestingly amongst them – ” I lean back
against my mate, who wraps his arm more tightly around me.
“But this,” Henry says, gesturing between Ariel, Rafe, and Jesse, “three people bonded together naturally, each to the other two.”
He shakes his head. ” I have not yet found any examples of it happening naturally. Though there are those who have...forged
such connections.” “Really?” Roger asks, his eyebrows going up.
“Usually in religious ceremonies,” Henry says, folding his hands in his lap and looking around at us, “in the wilds of the north.
Two people already bonded – either by fate or by choice, usually through a mating – would each either willingly or by obligation
magically forge a bond with a third.” “For what reason,” Cora asks, shaking her head. “Like...plural marriage? Or something?”
“No,” Henry replies, shaking his head at her. “This is usually done in communities where those who undergo the ceremony have
long taken vows of chastity. No, they do it for the power that results from the bond, which is said to be...unique.” “This is so
weird,” I murmur, looking down at my kids. I mean, I’m very aware that my children and my nephew are special, but... “The
magics of the north are strange,” Henry says on a sigh, shaking his head and giving a shrug. “They are also closed-mouthed
regarding what the results of such bonding actually are. But I do imagine it’s closer to the kinds of powers wielded by the dark
priests we spent so much of our time defying last year.
Spells cast at a price, rather than goddess-given gifts freely used with little effort.” “But since the bond between the kids was...
natural,” Sinclair murmurs, speaking his thoughts aloud, “can we assume that whatever power results from them would...be
easier to wield?” “I have no idea,” Henry says on a sigh, smiling down at his grandsons and granddaughter again. “Though I
hope for their sake that it is. Those forged bonds and the resulting magic – they didn’t come without a price.” “Oh geeze,” I
murmur, sighing and looking down at my precious new baby. She can barely stay awake, let alone wield great and powerful
magics. ” What are you going to get up to, little girl?” “All sorts of good things,” Sinclair murmurs to me, though I can hear the
worry on in his voice.
“I’m sorry I don’t have more definitive answers,” Henry says on a sigh, his face truly apologetic.
“That’s all right, dad,” Roger says, smiling at him. “It’s more than we knew before. Besides – these kids, they’re going to have to
lean how to figure it out.” “And the Goddess said to trust them,” Cora says, shrugging and standing, hoisting Jesse up in her

arms and smiling at him. “So, I’m just going to let them worry about it.” I grin at my sister, realizing that this honestly is probably
the best method. I mean we’re moms, there’s definitely no way we’re not going to worry. But what can we do? Cora and Roger
are right – we just have to raise them well, and trust them to figure it out.
“You’re not leaving, are you?” I ask, sitting up straight as I see Roger get to his feet as well. “Don’t, stay! We can get food!” But I
yawn even as I finish my sentence.
“We’re leaving,” Cora says, with a gentle smile, “because Jesse needs a nap, and so do you. And lil miss Princess over there is
already asleep.” I look down in my arms and realize that Cora’s right – Ariel’s drifted off without me noticing.
“Oh shoot,” I mutter. “I wanted to feed her...” “We’ll leave you to it,” Cora says, leaning down and kissing me on the cheek.
“I’m just a phone call away anything you need, sis.” “Thanks, Cor,” I murmur, smiling at her and giving Roger a hug as well when
he dips down to say goodbye to the baby. I wave to them as they pass out the door, Henry looking after them as they go.
“Will you stay at least, Henry?” I ask, leaning back against Sinclair.
“I’m afraid I should take my leave too,” he says as Rafe pushes to his feet and totters over him, reaching out his chubby arms
and begging to be picked up.
Henry laughs and obliges, lifting my little meatball into his lap. “That is, if this one will let me.” “If he just sits on you,” I say dryly, ”
you’ll be too heavy to roll out of here.” “A fate I will happily accept,” Henry murmurs, turning Rafe on his lap and hugging him
close, pressing his cheek to Rafe’s dark hair. “He is so like his father at this age. It’s like having my little b