Chapter Text
The Baron didn’t have much fondness for the Sisters of the Bene Gesserit.
Their meddling in his life had caused him more than just his pride and vanity. Not to mention the complete lack of men in their order.
Vladimir sighed heavily, descending down onto the oversized armchair at the head of the table. He supposed offending them outright could only result in even poorer relations than they already had. He knew they only tolerated him because of his monopoly over spice production.
The gaggle of sisters arriving through the double doors of his parlor in the Arakeen palace were more numerous than he expected. He spotted her easily at the head of the throng, her pinched face visible even beneath her beaded veil.
“Reverend Mother, most esteemed Female Alpha of your Order,” his voice boomed over the long table filled with food. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
She stopped at the opposite end of the long table. Nodding to her entourage, they bowed their heads in reverence. The Baron ignored the meaningless Betas surrounding the Reverend Mother. He grimaced at her.
Mohiam spoke clearly. “I hear congratulations are in order. Your brother’s wife has given birth to a son.”
The Baron blinked slowly, leaning back in his chair. “Why would I care about that weakling’s progeny?” he rasped, letting his billowing robes open slightly so she could look upon her handiwork.
“Only because this one has more promise than the last. Feyd-Rautha, they have named him. And his breeding, despite your reservations, is impeccable, I assure you. There are signs his military and political genius will rival that of Emperor Avelard XVII, an ancestor I believe you venerate most ardently.” Her eyes seemed to flash under the beaded veil.
The Baron leaned forward eagerly, his mouth practically salivating. “An Alpha?”
“You know as well as I that it is impossible to determine at this stage of its development,” she paused, raising her head almost imperceptibly to look more firmly at the Baron. “But there are signs. Given the correct tutelage, yes.” Mohiam ignored the plans materializing behind the Baron’s cold eyes. “I’ll leave you to consider.”
And just as quickly as she came, she was gone in a flurry of grey robes.
The Baron tore into his meal with zeal. It was time to pay his brother a visit.
—
The Duke of Caladan smiled softly at his lover growing rounder every day with his child.
His son.
He didn’t question it. He didn’t dare even mention it. But he knew the Bene Gesserit had their ways of influencing such things. Such was the control they had over their own bodies. He knew that’s how it would be the day he brought Jessica home to his Ducal castle. He expected a girl from his Bene Gesserit concubine. Such was the way of things.
Which is why he tried so hard not to show his shock when his beautiful lover told him she would give birth to a son.
His son.
The Duke could barely believe it. He smiled into his tea. He didn’t care if it was an attempt by Jessica to keep herself the sole occupant of his bed. He was smitten with her the moment he laid eyes on her. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t as affected by her scent as an Alpha would be. Though she herself was an omega, she never complained about his performance for her, nor had he even seen her go through a heat cycle. Perhaps that was another Bene Gesserit trick. The Duke knew they had unparalleled control over their bodies. Perhaps they could even suppress their natural cycles?
Their quiet breakfast was interrupted by his mentat, Thufir Hawat.
“Apologies for the intrusion, my lord,” he bowed briefly. “Urgent news from the Landsraad.” He handed Duke Leto a scroll sealed with the crest of House Ginaz.
The Duke opened it quickly, scanning the engravings. “Governor Rabban of Lankiveil is dead. Killed by his own son. What a beast…” The Duke grimaced and continued reading. “Although there are conflicting reports, the prevailing theory is that the late governor was murdered to cover up a melange cache he had discovered and distributed to the public.” The Duke shook his head. “Apparently, this whole feud was started because the Baron kidnapped his newborn nephew.” Leto finally looked up from the scroll to look at his lovely concubine.
Her normally bright eyes were dark as she met his gaze, but she said nothing.
“Why take the boy to Giedi Prime? What does a monster like him need with a baby?”
Jessica sighed quietly, placing her cup of tea down gently on the table. “The Baron Harkonnen has no children of his own,” she commented quietly.
Leto looked down at the dark wood of the table. “That poor boy,” he whispered, handing the scroll back to Thufir. He looked back at Jessica. “Can you imagine Baron Harkonnen raising a child?”
Jessica’s hands dropped ever so slowly from their position around her cup to her large, swollen belly. “Does the report mention anything about the baby’s mother?” she asked her Duke.
Duke Leto blinked. “No, it didn’t. Do you know who she is?”
Jessica merely met Leto’s gaze evenly. “I imagine she will be doing most of the raising, my Duke.”
This seemed to relax the Duke. He nodded, then smiled at her, reaching across the table to grasp at her hands still holding her large stomach protectively.
“I imagine she will.”
—
Lady Jessica gave birth to a small but healthy baby boy in the late summer. There were celebrations throughout Caladan, and word spread quickly within the Imperium. Duke Leto was well-respected by many, and the news of his heir’s birth was easily the favorite topic among the nobles of both the major and minor houses.
Jessica expected a visit from Alpha Mohiam, but was not expecting her to ambush her alone in the nursery.
She had just set Paul down in his bed, belly full from her breast and soothed to sleep by her Voice.
The Reverend Mother stormed into the room.
Jessica immediately bowed her head, but it wasn’t enough.
“KNEEL,” the Alpha boomed, and Jessica’s knees hit the floor. Her body shook at the force behind her Alpha’s commanding Voice. She kept her head down.
There was a long pause, and Jessica focused her breathing, willing her hands to still their trembling.
I must not fear.
“Was I not clear when I instructed you to have a girl?” The Reverend Mother asked quietly, a stark contrast to the booming Voice she had just used. The disparity felt like a slap across the omega’s face.
Jessica took a breath in. “You were clear, Alpha.”
Jessica held her breath as Mohiam reached into the crib, pulling back the swaddling to expose her sleeping son’s angelic face.
Fear is the mind-killer.
“And yet, you give the Duke a son.” The Alpha commented quietly. “Feed him at your own breast, if the reports are to be believed. You won’t even let the wetnurses hold the boy.”
Jessica refused to feel guilty for it. Paul was hers. No other woman would touch him.
“Do you forget who owns your allegiance?” Mohiam questioned.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
Jessica looked up at the Alpha of her order. “No, Reverend Mother. I know where my loyalties lie.”
“Then explain why you have birthed a son.”
“He will be an omega,” Jessica replied, her voice sounding stronger than she expected.
“Your arrogance rivals that of the House you were assigned to,” the Alpha hissed. “You know how rare a male omega is. You presume you can influence that which has an inconceivably low chance of occurring?”
I will face my fear.
Jessica ignored the sharpness of the Alpha’s words, gazing at her sleeping Paul through the slats of his crib, his chest rising and falling evenly.
Mohiam continued, “Your son is the result of a thousand years of careful breeding. You have allowed your arrogance to jeopardize our most sacred mission.”
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
“He will be an omega,” Jessica repeated.
“And if he is not?” Mohiam pressed. “We are Bene Gesserit. We do not hope for the best. We plan. What plan do you have if you continue to fail in your task?”
And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Jessica took a deep breath and lifted her head to stare directly at the Alpha. “Paul will produce the Kwisatz Haderach.”
Mohiam was silent, the sound deafening.
“You have grown too defiant in the company of House Atreides,” The Reverend Mother restated. “See that you correct your path, or I will send another to secure the bloodline.”
In a flourish of billowing fabric, she strode from the room, leaving her once most-promising student kneeling on the stone ground.
Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing.
Jessica did not watch as her Alpha left the room. She continued staring at her infant son’s cherubic face, reaching her hands through the slats of the bedframe to gently stroke his soft cheek.
“Beautiful boy. My perfect Paul.”
Only I will remain.