His words did not shake , for I knew in my heart that nothing would take Eloise and my unborn child away from ; I’d burn the realm if I had to.
"Drevon?"
I stiffened when I heard my na from her lips. My gaze locked with olive green ones. I was trapped in them, and whatever had weighed upon was lifted.
"I’m sorry, my love. Did I wake you?" I said softly.
"I should be thankful you did..." Her eyelids got heavy.
I neared the bed, and Snow scooted over for , settling on Eloise’s lap.
I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her to .
"Drevon..." she mumbled weakly, holding close like she was afraid I’d disappear.
"I know, my love. I know you have much to say, but can’t. Let read your emotions instead, show everything."
And she did. I found myself smiling, sothing I haven’t done in the past weeks.
"Is that so?" I murmured. "You’re angry with , and you want to hit and scream at . You can do all that soon."
She sagged in my arms, and my smile fell, knowing she was back to sleep.
I miss her so much, and I could tell she did too. It pained to the core that I couldn’t spend much ti with her like usual.
"I’ll wait this ti, I promise." I kissed the top of her head.
~•~
Eloise stirred at first light, her eyes opened slowly, still drowsy.
She smiled when she saw , and my day was already off to a good start.
"You’re here," she murmured. "You didn’t leave."
I couldn’t bring myself to. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her all alone again just because I couldn’t handle it.
"Yes," I replied. "I’m sorry it took so long."
Her chest heaved before she spoke. "Good thing you did, you damn beast."
I took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "As much as I want you to hit and scream at , I think maybe we should skip on that. You need to eat, and that’s more important."
"Not what’s more important for at the mont."
"What is then?"
Eloise pushed to sit and grabbed my collar so that our lips connected. The blissful feel of her soft lips was only montary, but it was worthwhile.
"Are we safe?" she asked so suddenly. "Tell ..."
I placed my hand on her small bump and said. "Yes, Zevrin has been dealt with. You have nothing to worry about anymore."
Eloise’s eyes turned glassy, and the tears slipped beneath her lashes.
"I couldn’t protect you this ti, my love. Diana did."
She sobbed, and she was suddenly crying way more than I expected.
"Hey." I caressed her cheeks, using my thumb to dry her tears.
Eloise said nothing else to , unraveling in my arms, and all I could do was watch, but strangely, I knew it wasn’t just about pain but the emotions that had been stored up inside her for so long.
I felt like kicking myself in the gut for leaving her alone when I knew she needed the most.
I just couldn’t bear the thought of facing her knowing I was powerless to protect her and our baby. I was ntally destroying myself, and if it hadn’t been for Diana, I would have snapped and done sothing I’d have regretted.
Diana saved as much as she saved Eloise.
"Of course, Diana," she said, smiling between sobs. "I never doubt for a second. I’m proud of her."
"As I am." My expression fell. "I tried to push her away. I tried to deal with it all on my own."
"I don’t bla you," she said sweetly. "You did everything you thought was right. I wanted to cuss at you, but... I could feel beneath your absence, you were just as torn. You didn’t just choose this ti, you chose both of us."
I leveled my gaze at her bump. "I saw how happy you looked. I promised I’d take on your worries. Telling you sothing so heartbroken was..."
Eloise cupped my cheeks so that I set my gaze back on hers. She shook her head slowly, her lips wide in a smile, but it was sad. "I know..."
"Eloise."
"I know my body. My ailnt has been a part of for so long."
"I’m sorry, I should have told you sooner. It..." I paused. "Your ailnt originates from the magic in your blood."
She leaned away from and fixed with a pointed look. "Magic?"
"Apparently, your predecessor was Roderic the Green, a warlock who beca a Forsaken and founded Beloria."
She snorted loudly, sothing I didn’t expect.
Then she laughed, freely, shoulders shaking from the level of amusent taking over her.
"E-Eloise?"
"Good riddance!" She chuckled. "The Ravemont bloodline cos from a long line of magic? Who could have known?"
"Are you not worried? This news is..."
She scoffed. "No..."
"Are you okay?"
"Why are you asking such a question? Of course I’m okay. What? You expect to shed tears because I have magic blood."
"N-No, that is not what—"
She placed a finger on my lips. "I’m carrying our baby without a heartbeat; nothing can surprise anymore. I admit I’m a bit surprised, but for so reason I always knew Beloria had so dark secrets."
I sighed. "I thought for so long about telling you this."
"You shouldn’t have. Now, before I eat. How about you tell what that is?" She pointed at a door peeking from the curtains.
"Oh..."
"I have never seen that door before. Did you renovate the room again? Did you add another wardrobe or sothing? The one I have is already big enough."
"How about I take you there after you eat sothing?"
"But—"
I caressed her bump. "Tell your mother to be patient."
She rasped, and when I lifted my gaze back to her, there was a soft look in her eyes.
"What?"
"N-Nothing." She looked away with a blush. "You’re right. I should eat, and then you show what lies behind that mysterious door."
"I promise."
"Look at you now, making all sorts of promises left and right."
"Who else should I make promises to if not my wife?" I picked her up effortlessly, and her arms wrapped tightly around my neck.
"I wonder," she replied.
I laughed as I walked us to the table, where warm als were waiting.
"You look tired, haven’t you been sleeping?"
"I’ve been so busy I couldn’t, but don’t worry, I intend to sleep more now."
~•~
I made sure Eloise ate plenty. I really didn’t need to intervene because she ate far more than I expected, after which she took a short nap.
I thought about carrying her back to bed, but she stirred awake.
"Don’t think I’d have a peaceful sleep just yet," she mumbled weakly.
"You cunning girl." I pressed my lips against hers, and she moaned dreamily.
I seized that opportunity to relish my hunger, devouring her lips like a madman. I have been starved for so long, and finally having her was like a dream co true.
How her breath quivered, how she shivered beneath my touch. I could feel her hard nipples rubbing against my chest through the linen shirt, and it sent sparks throughout my whole body.
"Door," she mumbled against my lips, and I chuckled lightly.
"As you wish, my love."
I rose and set her on her feet, grasping her hand and walking to the door. I pulled a key out of my pocket and placed it into the lock.
"After you, my love."
She fixed with a pointed stare.
"Don’t worry, I promise it’s not sothing terrifying."
"You could never."
I grinned broadly. "I might just surprise you."
She stepped closer, pushing the door open, and I followed behind. I have been working on this for weeks. Though the entrance was through the back, it wasn’t until recently that I had it sealed and made the entrance within our room.
"Drevon, this is..." she couldn’t finish, awed by what lay out before her.
It was a nursery. The round crib was draped with curtains edged in gold, hanging from a grand canopy crowned with ornate designs. A sparkling chandelier hung high, casting warm light, making the golden details on the walls, furniture, and ceiling stand out.
A rug with designs of tulips was spread out on the marble floor, while our painting in a heavy gold fra completed the look. There was an empty one by the side for when our child is born.
"Do you like it?" I asked, hopeful.
"Like it?" She turned to , hot tears streaming down her cheeks. "I love it!" She rushed to hug , and I picked her up, laughing.
Eloise sobbed, stars in her eyes, one I wouldn’t trade for anything. "I love you, Drevon Balthar."
"As do I, Eloise Balthar."
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