The Switch

War was a never-ending thing.

"I fucking hate war," Meldon said slinging the blood from his blade. He liked to fight sure, but war was tiring even for a Demon, or in his situation a halfling.

"There will always be war, little brother." Severin sneered.

Meldon sighed. "Don't you think it's odd we haven't heard from father?"

Severin didn't much care right now.

"What if they didn't get pregnant?"

"Speak for yourself halfling."

"Jerk."

"Afraid that I knocked up your lover?"

Meldon stumbled back. "Wha- what?!"

Severin smirked. "Did you think I did not know?"

Meldon looked away.

"You did not gain your markings; you did not overcome Parthenia ."

"I told her not to fight it."

"Afraid little brother?"

"No, I just didn't want my markings from her!" He put his sword at his side.

"I don't want the reminder of what I did to her. She's like a little sister." He confessed.

"Yet, it is I whom she calls brother."

Meldons eyes came up to his brothers. "You get off on that, don't you?"

Severin narrowed his eyes at his brother's boldness.

"Don't even look at me like that asshole, you ain't the only one with secrets."

Severin put his sword away. "It matters not I seek only power. Pray that your lover makes it through childbirth."

"So, you don't plan on keeping her?"

"I have no want, nor need, of your human."

"Yeah, you got the witch." He shook his head. "I'd take a human over that bitch any day."

Severin had a demoness already waiting. 

Meldons worry was well founded.

"Well?" Lord Yasa asked his demon wife as she came from the room. The sons of their house had been gone a week and would return soon.

"I am afraid they did not take."

"Either of them?" He asked shocked.

His demon wife bowed, her long white hair falling over her shoulder. His human wife pulled on his sleeve. "Lord Meldon gained no stripes, my Lord." His human wife had been from a wealthy family, and he had fallen in love with her. She had golden hair and green eyes, and she was always soft-spoken and kind. Her name was Laural. His demon wife had come after, as one of the four kings he had to have a full-blooded son. She was quiet and knew her place well; her name was Levina. Lord Yasa was confused. For one not to take, sure, but for both?!

"They are not barren!" He said with haste.

Inside the room, Parthenia and Oni held onto each other. "What is going to happen?"Parthenia asked.

"They may try again, or they may kill us."

Parthenia gasped "They wouldn't?"

"They may not; I am unsure of the eldest son. He will not be pleased."

"I don't understand. I didn't fight Meldon. I should be with child."

Oni smirked. "Are you sad that you are not carrying my lover's child?"

Parthenia tugged on Oni's sleeve. "You know that is not what I-"

"I purified his seed." Oni cut her off.

"What!" Parthenia whispered.

"I purified Severin's seed so that it would not take root. Your sister would rather die."

"But Oni, if he finds out."

Oni looked down at her. "Will you tell him?"

"No?"

"Do you feel them?"

Parthenia closed her eyes."They are about, a day and a half away."

"I am sure they know something is amiss. Word of rooting should have been sent three days after."

"So we wait?" Parthenia asked.

"Fear not, your older sister has a plan."

Parthenia didn't trust that. When Oni planned things, someone always ended up dead. Lord Yasa walked in."We will wait for the return of our sons." He stated.

Parthenia bowed. "As you wish, My Lord."

Oni, however, held her gaze controlled.

"Do you have something to say?"

"Only if it pleases My Lord for me to speak."

"If it will have mercy on your soul, then speak girl."

Oni cut her eyes to her sister and then back to the Lord. Then she spoke. Lord Yasa listened as Oni told him of her theory, of how Lord Meldon was not strong enough to overpower her sister's womb and how she, herself, may be infertile altogether. One thing Oni learned very early about herself, was that Demons could not tell if she was lying or telling the truth; her scent betrayed them. But that was her little secret, and it would go with her to her grave.

Lord Yasa paced just outside the palace entrance but within the walls. His sons were getting closer, and he had to decide. He paired them the way did for many reasons, but Parthenia had been in the forefront of his mind when he chose not to put her with Severin. Sure, the power mix would have been perfect and exciting, but her heart was worth more to him than her power. Parthenia was a special girl, and he was very fond of her. She loved deeply and had great compassion, which was the total opposite of his eldest son.

Severin would crush her, break her, hurt her and she didn't deserve it.

She would love him, and he would not love her back.

He would not care about their child, and he would not keep her. In fact, he feared he would want her power destroyed. He knew about Meldon and Oni and was hoping to save his youngest son from more hardship, but alas the boy was a lot like him, and he could not fault him. Yasa loved his human wife. But if he didn't take Oin's advice and do this, then his eldest son could banish them, kill them, and take their power. They would have to wait another two years and try again with another pair of Maidens. The thought of trying again crossed his mind, but he knew Severin would not go for that.

He had been planning these unions for a long time; since the girls were born, in fact. He had loved the family. Their family line was the best of the best just like his was.

"What will you do?" His demon wife approached, no doubt feeling her son gaining ground.

The wind blew. For once he was unsure, but the thought of Severin trying to kill Parthenia for her power ruled. He wondered though, would she choose death over a broken heart? She had always been fond of Severin, calling him brother, but Lord Yasa knew her eyes, could see her heart even if she didn't know it. "Separate the sisters and prepare them for breeding."

She did not question him, only bowed and turned away.

All he could do now was pray the God's would have mercy and guide Severin the best he could without seeming like he was. He stood tall, chin high as his sons came into view. With one blink they were walking inside the gates. Regal and powerful, he was proud really.

They knelt, "Father." They both said.

"Rise, my sons, you have done well."

They rose.

"Ask." He noticed Meldon's intense gaze. "Did Oni and Parthenia conceive?"

Severin's eyes were hard on his father, he could feel it. "No."

A look of relief washed over Meldon. Severin didn't seem to care, but Lord Yasa knew his son's pride was somewhat hurt.

"Oni may be barren," Their father spoke.

"But I thought we checked for that?" Meldon stated with confusion on his face.

"It is not totally foolproof, son." Lord Yasa placed a hand on Meldon's shoulder. "But you are welcome to try my son."

Meldon's eyes got wide.

"Is that not for me to say, father?" Severin cut in. "They were both barren, were they not?"

Their father glided his eyes to his eldest son. "Actually, we have decided to have another breeding, only this time you will switch."

"But, Parthenia-" Meldon started,

Lord Yasa raised his hand. "What say you eldest son?"

Severin thought about it. It would be fun to break her will, plus there was the whole having to wait another two years if he declined. Then he would have to deal with the sisters on top of that. It was annoying, to say the least.

"I will claim the younger human's womb."