Chapter 74: Chapter Thirty-Five Part Two - Orenda
My magic is as strong as ever, potentially more so thanks to the baby, but on the other hand, my body is getting weaker by the hour. My appetite hasn’t diminished, yet I continue to lose weight, and I didn’t have much meat on me to begin with. Now I look frail and gangly. I look more like a cancer patient than a glowing mother-to-be that everyone goes on about. Just yesterday, I chipped a tooth chewing on a lamb bone, and a few days before that, the baby kicked or punched so strongly that I screamed. Thankfully, Aya wasn’t home at the time. Not only did it crack a rib, it caused internal bleeding, and let me tell you, if Gods could die of coronaries, Azadou would be six feet under right now.
On the bright side, Azadou has gotten rather good at remaining composed and proficient when it comes to healing. He’s been taking care of my injuries effortlessly, but each time he does, I can see the guilt and fear all over his face. I think he blames himself for what’s happening to me, and I wish he wouldn’t. Neither Azadou nor I were born through conventional methods, so pregnancy never even occurred to us as something to be cautious of. Lack of comprehension aside, it’s not like he did this to me. I was there for the conception and can attest to being a willing participant. I admit I had mixed feelings regarding our intimate moments, but I don’t regret them. How can I? Not only has this pregnancy changed Azadou for the better, but it has given me the unimaginable chance at motherhood.
I want to believe that I can get through the rest of this pregnancy, but I think the denial has started to wear off because I have begun to have my doubts. Human pregnancies can be ugly and brutal. It’s this strange contrast that the act of giving life can be so deadly and filled with pain. I have witnessed a few births in my time, and while yes, the baby that is welcomed into this world is a beautiful thing to see, the labour itself is gruesome to say the least. I knew of the nightmarish side effects that come with carrying and creating a child, and I was prepared for the possibility of any number of them affecting me. I should have known that, given the very nature of my pregnancy, those side effects would not only be numerous, but far dire.
I stare at my reflection in the full-length mirror in the living room, taking in the way the cute, short-sleeved, knee-length, rose-pink maternity dress hangs off me. It fits my very pronounced stomach perfectly, but everywhere else, I look like a child playing dress-up in their mother’s clothes. There are several bruises on my arms and legs, not from injuries, just from lightly bumping into something. I almost feel like I’m looking at the tortured version of me again, and I have to remind myself otherwise.
I feel the room enveloped by the oddly comforting sensation of dense coldness and unease.
“I think you look beautiful,” declares Azadou’s deep voice in a soft tone.
I turn and look at him, hiding my embarrassment at being caught staring at myself. “I think those eyes of yours need a tune-up,” I tease.
He smiles softly, walking over to me. “You shouldn’t be on your feet,” he gently frets.
“I haven’t been on them long, I was sitting on the patio while the makkari High Priestess gave Aya and me an update,” I inform him.
“No good news, I take it.”
I shake my head. “They’re taking a new approach, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Azadou gives me a sympathetic pout before taking hold of my hands, his touch warm and gentle, a stark contrast to his energy and overall vibe.
“I have something that might cheer you up. At least I hope it will,” he says with an uncertain smile.
I cock my head curiously, “What might that be?”
“Do you think you’re up for a quick trip?” he asks with concern.
I smile, surprised by the implication. As much as my body is begging for me to return to bed, I’m intrigued by what Azadou wants to show me. I could use a distraction, and it would be nice to get out of the house. I’ve been stuck here since I returned, and it makes me feel like a caged bird almost as much as being imprisoned by Invidia did. I miss shifting and flying aimlessly. I miss feeling the wind through my feathers. Since I’m unable to enjoy those things for the time being, Azadou’s surprise is the next best thing.
“I think I can survive being on my feet a bit longer, and besides, you’ll be right there should anything happen,” I answer confidently.
Looking touched, he leans down and kisses my forehead. “It’s strange how much faith you have in me,” he murmurs.
I smile up at him and shrug, my heart fluttering as I feel his lips against my skin. “You’ll get used to it. Now what is it you want to show me?”
He takes a deep breath, and as his thumbs brush against my fingers, the room around me changes. I look around and it takes me a second to realise that we’re standing in the foyer of Azadou’s home.
“Not what I was expecting, but I’m still curious,” I say playfully, taking in the familiar décor.
“I just fixed up the place,” he admits uncomfortably, earning a confused look from me. “I may have done some extensive damage during an altercation with Jartre…and then even more after we…”
I nod slowly in understanding, squeezing his hands. “I understand. I’m glad you felt the desire to fix everything up,” I say supportively.
“Actually, I made a few changes while I was restoring it. I wanted to show them to you,” he remarks, a little more hope shining in his electric eyes this time.
I smile encouragingly, “I am more than happy to see anything you wish to show me.”
A smile fills his face, though his expression is a mix of excitement and nervousness. He gives my hands a gentle squeeze, and the interior around us changes again, but this time what I see leaves me utterly speechless.
I look around in awe, my heart racing as I take in the most remarkable nursery I have ever seen. The walls and ceiling are painted in a vibrant rainbow of colours, each one with an ombre effect to it, as black framework lines the walls and arches over the vaulted ceiling, making the walls create the illusion of stained glass between the framework. Light streams through a full-length cathedral window, framed by another two stained glass windows against a black feature wall. A plush, black carpet covers the floor, feeling soft beneath my feet as I walk over and run my fingers along the ornate, black, gothic crib with pillows and blankets inside, decorated in every colour of the rainbow. There’s even an adorable stuffed toy nestled against the pillows, a blue and gold bird that has tears welling in my eyes. A modest chandelier hangs from the ceiling, its frosted glass coverings making it look like a gorgeous, fiery flower above us. There’s a single-person lounge chair in black leather and other essential pieces of furniture also in black, everything a new baby could possibly need.
“You did all this?” I whisper, choking back emotions.
“I don’t want you to think this means the baby has to stay here, I just…wanted to create something here for them,” he sheepishly admits.
“It’s…” I look around once more before turning to look at Azadou’s anxious face. “It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” I breathe out.
He lets out a sigh of relief and smiles at me, his joy reflected in his eyes. “Really?”
I nod, wiping my eyes as I take in the unique style of the room. “You’ve managed to decorate this room in a way that represents us both. It’s two opposing contrasts that somehow come together to create something unique and magical…which is exactly what this baby is,” I answer, my voice trembling as I hold my belly. “I love it,” I say brightly.
He runs his fingers through his hair, exhaling the tension from his body. “I was worried you’d hate it or that I’d done it all wrong. I’ve never created a nursery before,” he admits nervously.
I walk over and hold his hand tight, smiling up at him. “For your first time, I’d say you nailed it.”
He lifts my hand to his lips and gently kisses the back of it. “There’s one more surprise.”
I blink, indeed feeling surprised. “There’s more? Azadou, I don’t think you can top this.”
He laughs a deep rumbling laugh, “I thought I’d open with this and then decide whether to show you the next surprise.”
He holds my hand and leads me out into the hallway. We take a short walk down to the left, stopping in front of a door. Azadou opens the door and steps back, allowing me to enter. I step in and take in a modestly luxurious bedroom. Varnished, chevron flooring, slightly covered by a carpet beneath a king-sized bed, styled with a navy blue duvet with gold detailing, a navy blue cushioned headboard and gold satin pillows. The bed faces a full-length arched window with a gorgeous view of the forest that surrounds his home. The walls are also navy blue with ornamental detailing, some gold, some black, while the incredibly intricate design on the ceiling is a breathtaking ombre of gold, navy blue and black that converge into the centre making the chandelier that hangs from its centre look as though it's giving off a gold glow even during the day.
The room is simple, elegant, yet open and understated with a cool air to it. The decent furnishing matches the colour scheme and doesn’t take much guesswork as to where he got the idea. I know immediately that the room was made for me, and yet I have conflicting feelings about it.
“You made a room for me?” I ask reticently.
Azadou watches me with a cautious look on his face. “I have no right to ask this, but…I would love it if, maybe one day, you could see this place as your home. I would change anything you want; make it look however you want it to look; anything to make you happy. I understand if you don’t want to leave your home, but I can’t stop thinking about making this place a real home to watch our child grow together in,” he confesses, the weight of his words all over his face.