Free The Unseen Queen by Troy Denning

the infant up. “Just keep a firm hold, and always support her neck.”
    Finally, Jacen tore his gaze away from the baby. “How?” he asked. “It’s been twelve months—”
    “The Force, Jacen.” Tenel Ka slipped the baby into Jacen’s arms. She groaned a couple of times, then returned to cooing. “I slowed things down. Life will be dangerous enough for our daughter without my nobles knowing
you
are the father.”
    “
You’re
a father?” Ben’s voice came from the doorway behind Jacen. “Astral!”
    Jacen turned around, his daughter cradled in his arms, and frowned at Ben. “I thought you were waiting in the Royal Bedchamber with DeDe.”
    “You told DeDe you wanted to keep me with you,” Ben countered. “You
asked
if I knew what to do.”
    “I meant if there was trouble, Ben.”
    “Oh.” Ben came closer. “I thought you meant trip her circuit breaker.”
    “No.” Jacen sighed, then turned to Tenel Ka. “Allow me to present Ben Skywalker, Your Majesty.”
    Ben took his cue and bowed deeply. “Sorry about your droid. I’ll turn her back on if you want.”
    “In a minute, Ben,” Tenel Ka said. “But first, stand up and let me have a look at you. I haven’t seen you since you were a baby yourself.”
    Ben straightened himself and stood there looking nervous while Tenel Ka nodded approvingly.
    “I apologize for bringing him unannounced,” Jacen said. “But your message said to come immediately, and we were supposed to be on a camping trip while Luke and Mara are in the Utegetu Nebula.”
    “Jacen’s my Master,” Ben said proudly.
    Tenel Ka cocked her brow. “In my day, apprentices did not address their Masters by their first names.”
    “It’s an informal arrangement,” Jacen said. Now was not the time to explain the complicated dynamics of the situation—that while Mara disapproved of much of the Force-lore Jacen had gathered on his five-year journey of discovery, she was truly grateful to him for coaxing Ben out of his long withdrawal from the Force. “I’m working with Ben while he explores his relationship with the Force.”
    Tenel Ka’s eyes flashed with curiosity, but she did not ask the question Jacen knew to be on her mind: why Ben was not exploring that relationship at the Jedi academy like other young Force-adepts.
    “So far, I’m the only one Ben feels comfortable using the Force around,” Jacen said, answering the unspoken question. He looked at Ben. “But I’m sure that will change once he realizes that the Force is our friend.”
    “Don’t hold your breath,” Ben replied. “I’m not interested in all that kid stuff.”
    “Perhaps one day.” Tenel Ka smiled at Ben. “Until then, you’re a very lucky young man. You could not ask for a better guide.”
    “Thanks,” Ben said. “And congratulations on the baby. Wait until Uncle Han and Aunt Leia hear—they’ll go nova!”
    Tenel Ka furrowed her brow. “Ben, you mustn’t tell anyone.”
    “I mustn’t?” Ben looked confused. “Why not? Aren’t you guys married?”
    “No, but that isn’t why. The situation is …” Tenel Ka looked to Jacen for help. “… complicated.”
    “We
are
in love,” Jacen said. “We always have been.”
    “Fact,” Tenel Ka said. “That is all that matters.”
    “But you’re not married—and you had a baby!” Ben’s eyes were wide and gleeful. “You guys are gonna be in
so
much trouble!”
    Tenel Ka’s voice grew stern. “Ben, you must keep this secret. The baby’s life will depend on it.”
    Ben frowned, and the cold knot between Jacen’s shoulder blades began to creep down his spine. Even Tenel Ka seemed to be growing pale.
    “Ben can keep a secret,” Jacen said. “But I think it’s time to reactivate DeDe. Ben—”
    “On my way.” Ben turned and ran for the door.
    “Bring her here,” Tenel Ka called after him. “And tell her to arm all systems.”
    The baby began to mewl in Jacen’s arms. He took a moment to forge a conscious link to Ben’s