*Zara*
The next few days in the intensive care unit were bright ones. I held the baby in my arms, close to my chest, feeling so, so happy that she was doing well.
I leaned down and brushed my nose against hers, listening to the keeling giggles from my baby and feeling a surge of happiness.
“Hi there,” I said in a high pitched, sweet voice. “You’re like a delicate little flower, aren’t you? You’re so precious,” I cooed.
The baby giggled in my arms, causing to let out a soft, happy sigh. Noah entered the room following his lunch, giving us both a happy smile.
He walked up to the baby and held out his index finger, letting out a happy sigh as she reached up and wrapped her hand around it.
The baby cooed, and Noah gave a soft chuckle. “She is beautiful,” he muttered. “Hi there, sweetheart,” he said to the baby, who gave a giggle. “You’re hanging in there, huh?”
I nodded. “She is,” I said softly. Noah looked at with a light smile, then raised a brow curiously.
“How are you feeling, beautiful?”
“I’m doing a lot better,” I said honestly, my smile widening as he let out a sigh of relief. “You helped through a lot, Noah. I appreciate that.”
“Of course,” he said firmly. “I ant all that I said. We can get through this.”
Right then, my parents entered the room, and I turned to give them a soft smile. Noah sat down with the baby, dipping his head in greeting while I exchanged hugs with them.
My mom placed her hands on my shoulders and pressed her forehead against mine. “Look at how well she’s doing,” she said softly. “I’m a grandma now. What do you think she’ll call ? Gramma? Nana?”
I chuckled softly. “Whatever you want, Mom.”
She leaned away, beaming at . “Our granddaughter is looking so strong and full of life now. I’m so relieved she made it through. Every ti we visit, she’s so much stronger.”
My dad nodded. “It’s only because of how much care her mommy and daddy are giving her, and the healers here, of course.”
“That is very true,” my mother said.
I looked over to Noah with a smile, and the warmth radiating from him made my heart sing.
He leaned down to kiss our daughter gently on the forehead, letting the kiss linger for a mont, tender and loving. He was going to be such a wonderful father.
The next few days went by with no trouble, just improvent, and hope continued to blossom. At one point, though, my mother called to the side, sitting down for a chat.
“What’s this about?” I asked softly. “I’m doing much better, Mom. I promise.”
“I know. I can see, honey,” she said, giving a smile. “I’m very relieved about that, too. But I wanted to talk about sothing important.”
I furrowed my brow, giving a nod. “I’m all ears. What is it?”
“Well... I wanted to discuss eting with this mysterious dream dancer, Sasha Black. I know discovering the purpose of those markings are weighing on you.”
“Oh... am I that obvious?”
“No. I just know you, dear,” she said.
I nodded, letting out a sigh and feeling a twinge of relief. I didn’t want everyone worrying about , especially Noah, particularly after our fight.
I hadn’t brought it up again at all. Our baby’s health was far more important, so I needed to focus on that more than anything.
I opened my mouth to say sothing but looked up to see Noah entering the room with our baby in his arms. A look of shock had crossed his face.
“Sasha Black?” he murmured. “That is the na of my great aunt.”
I widened my eyes, anxiety swirling in my stomach. I hadn’t wanted him to overhear and spark an argunt again. I believed him that he wouldn’t abandon .
But the thought of another conflict right now was so stressful, and I really wanted to avoid it.
“Yes,” I said hesitantly. “She... is the one who placed my markings on as an infant. I know I should be focusing on our baby, and I am. But I still want to know.”
Noah nodded, saying softly, “I see the worry in your face, Zara. Don’t worry, beautiful. I’m taking this all seriously. I promise. I know it’s heavy on your mind.”
The gentle tone he gave made let out a breath, and I gave him a smile. My eyes fell upon our baby for a mont, and I tilted my head.
“It is,” I said softly, “though not more than our baby, Noah. So... your great aunt... do you have any idea why she would do that?”
Noah shook his head, deep in thought. “No. But I didn’t know she was the dream dancer you wanted to see. Look, she stopped using her powers so ti ago, but I can bring her to Drogomor to et with you.”
I widened my eyes, not expecting such a surprising developnt.
My mother grinned. “Oh, that is wonderful news! This will be such a relief.”
“If... it’s nothing bad,” I said nervously.
“She is a wonderful person, Zara,” Noah said. His tone was gentle, and he walked over, sitting next to and holding out our baby.
I grinned at her giggles, accepting her and leaning down to give her a soft kiss as we continued to talk. She was so well behaved and didn’t cry much.
I almost wish she cried more, as it would be sowhat more reassuring, but Calvin assured that so babies just didn’t make as much noise, and that she was doing better and better.
As I held the baby, I said, “I trust you on that, Noah. But I’m wondering the reason for them. I hope no one is after , since—” I shuddered, feelings of the recent kidnapping situations flowing into .
My eyes grew distant, and I furrowed my brow. I nearly lapsed into silence and had started to drown in those thoughts again when my baby’s coos distracted , and I focused on her.
I was okay now, here with Noah and her. My mom was here too. Nothing bad could possibly happen here and now. Right?
Noah studied my expression, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder and squeezing it. I relaxed a bit and gave him a smile. “We will take it one step at a ti. I promise.”
“Thank you, Noah.”
“Of course. But... her family is very protective of her. It might take so ti.”
I nodded, mulling that over in my mind, wondering why they’d be super protective. I also wondered why she no longer used her powers, but I didn’t broach that subject.
Rather, I held our baby closer to my chest and gave her another kiss, filled with warmth once again at her soft giggles from my tender gestures.
“Our baby is here, and my priority is nurturing her,” I said. I gave Noah a light smile. “That’s my priority. I can be patient.”
My mother nodded, patting on the shoulder that Noah wasn’t holding. “Good point. I’m glad we have a solution for this without you having to travel.” She sounded very relieved.
“Yes,” Noah said, wiggling his finger in front of the baby again and causing more giggles to keel from her lips.
We’d been giving her so much attention, and she shined so brightly, just like a little star.
I couldn’t help but smile, despite the dread starting up in my belly again. I tried chasing that feeling away and focused on Noah, who continued what he was saying.
“The baby needs as much attention as she can get. She is safe now, and only getting better. She definitely should be a priority, but don’t worry. We’ll make sure you are taken care of too, beautiful.”
He had a lot of confidence in his tone, which made feel a little bit better, at least. I t his gaze, and whispered, “I also want to nd things with you, Noah. We still have so ways to go.”
He nodded, his tone a mixture of serious and warm. “We do. But our bond can only grow stronger too, like our child, Zara. I know it.”
That was very reassuring, and I sighed, closing my eyes and giving a light smile.
The labor had taken its toll on , and I still was recovering myself. I handed the baby back to Noah, who took her back to the incubator for so rest, per instructions from Calvin.
Bidding my parents goodbye for now, I entered the room I was staying in and laid down, reaching over to take several sips of water.
My body was weak but growing stronger, which was a relief, as was my mind. That had been terrifying, the depression I’d lapsed into.
The mories, too... I drowned in them sotis, of being held captive and worried for my life constantly. A shudder ran through my spine, and I tried to chase them away.
But my thoughts turned to sothing else that was worriso, sothing I couldn’t chase from my mind either. I knew we’d take care of learning about those sigils.
We had a plan. Sasha Black would co to Drogomor after a lot of convincing to her family. But questions swirled in my mind. How long would that take? Would I be in danger in the anti?
If this was a protective asure, was it now fading, and that was why everything ca crashing down around ? What would be causing that to happen?
I bit my lip, feeling an anxious pit in my stomach nag at . There were so many secrets of my past that weighed heavily on , and the urgency within was growing and growing.
I couldn’t explain it.
I wish I could figure out why it felt like I needed to take care of this as soon as possible. I couldn’t fully explain anything, and I really just wanted to focus on my baby and Noah.
But this damn feeling wouldn’t go away, and my wolf was anxious too, I could feel her anxiety spiraling right along with mine.
I really hoped Sasha was able to co sooner rather than later. Hopefully, she could fill in the missing pieces of who I really was beneath the surface.
I wondered how much of my past was coming back to haunt .
I swallowed, trying and failing to get so rest, tossing and turning because of the strong pricks of dread within .
Things were getting better, but for how long... I didn’t know.
I needed to find the truth about it very soon, or sothing terrible was going to happen.
I could feel it.
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