Chapter 78 Chapter Thirty-Six Part Three - Orenda
My senses return to me as I slowly wake up, and I become aware of sensations I’ve never felt in my life. I feel vigorous in a way that’s indescribable. I feel power radiating through every nerve in my body, connecting me to the universe and myself in a way I never could have imagined. All the pain and all the fatigue are gone as if they never existed. I feel like a whole new person.
As I open my eyes, my senses hit me like a tidal wave. The room around me looks so much more vivid and crisp, and I notice hues of colour I had never seen before. I can smell and hear everything, and yet pushing through those intense sensations is a feeling of panic, awe and relief deep inside me. I sit up and gaze at the black satin fabric beneath my fingers. I stare at it in wonder, as the feel of it is both intense and muted at the same time. It’s like I can feel every thread woven in the material.
I look around until I lock on two purple eyes, more electrified and intense than I ever remember them being. Looking deeper into them, I can see this fascinating gun metal-like shine to them, so captivating that I could stare at them for hours and never get bored. I take a deep breath and feel my body shiver at the familiar and soothing scent that fills my senses. I had missed that cold yet intoxicating perfume reminiscent of cold ash, the remnants of a fire that has long since burned down, but now it’s dialled up to a thousand. There’s a sharpness and sulfuric undertone that shouldn’t be enjoyable, yet once again has my mouth salivating.
Basking in his scent, my eyes widen when an entirely new scent catches my attention. It smells like the rain pouring down over a forest fire. It’s warm, ashy, and intense, but it has my heart pounding furiously. I look down and see the small bundle wrapped in Azadou’s arms, and immediately tears pour down my face. I choke back a sob as I listen to the steady beating of her heart and take in the peaceful look on her face.
Azadou slowly gets up, and as he kisses the top of my head, sending bursts of fire licking at my scalp, he places the baby in my arms. My baby. I hold her close, carefully pulling the blanket away from her face so I can take in every detail. She’s lighter than a feather and feels like heaven. I lean down and place a tender kiss on her forehead, her skin warm against my lips and her scent making my heart swell. I blink away tears as I smile down at the tiny life I created and feel so much love bursting inside me that I feel as though it might crush me. Her skin is soft and radiant, almost sun-kissed, and her tufts of hair are…unlike anything I’ve ever seen. They’re every colour of the rainbow, but dark, as if a black rinse was placed over it, giving it the most unique, dark, ethereal sheen.
“How are you feeling?” Azadou gently asks, sitting beside me.
I reluctantly tear my eyes away from my daughter and look up at him, a smile splitting across my face. “I feel amazing. I can’t begin to put it into words.”
Azadou smiles with relief and wraps his arm around me, his embrace soothing me and stimulating me at the same time as his skin burns like fire against mine.
“You did it,” he whispers against my ear.
Suppressing a shiver as I smile at him, I look back down at our daughter. “I can’t believe she’s real,” I whisper in awe as I tenderly brush the back of my finger against her cheek, smiling as her tiny head stirs from the contact.
I don’t have to ask, I can feel just by holding her that she’s healthy and strong. I can feel the power inside her, but I don’t care about that. Knowing that she’s alright is all that matters to me.
“Do you have any idea the heart attack you gave me?” announces a stressed-out voice. I look up as Aya walks over, his expression both relieved and annoyed. “I’ve been stressing out this whole time,” he exclaims, holding back tears.
He’s a bundle of nerves, and I don’t blame him. I smile warmly, sympathetic and grateful to have a brother who cares about me so much. “I’m sorry I worried you.”
Aya walks over and hugs me tightly, being careful not to jostle the baby. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again, I mean it,” he warns.
I softly chuckle, cradling my daughter in one arm with ease as I hug him back with the other. “You have my word that I won’t ever be doing anything like that ever again.”
Aya softly kisses my cheek, then sits down beside me, wiping his eyes. I glance around and realise Zarseti isn’t there.
“Where’s Zarseti?”
“She left after you and the baby were taken care of. She thought it was best only family was here when you woke up,” my brother explains, glancing down at his niece with avuncular affection.
“But I didn’t even get the chance to thank her. She delivered my baby and made sure she came into the world safely. I owe her everything.”
“You have all the time in the world,” Azadou assures me, rubbing my arm and calming me instantly.
“Speaking of the little bundle of joy, have you thought of a name for my adorable niece?” Aya queries.
I glance from him to Azadou and back to my daughter, the smile never wavering from my face. “Xiema. Her name is Xiema,” I breathe out.
Aya smiles, looking down at her, “A unique name for a unique little girl. It’s perfect,” he praises, nodding his head in approval.
A strong wave of emotion pulsates deep inside me, so intense you’d think we were fully bonded. I look at Azadou, my eyes gentle as I see the tears falling from his eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
He quickly shakes his head and wipes his eyes. He looks at me, his expression as overwhelmed as he feels right now. “Thank you, Orenda. Thank you for this incredible gift,” he whispers, his voice thick with emotion.
With a soft smile, I lean my forehead against his, relishing the way he tightens his arm around me. He reaches out and gently caresses Xiema’s hair, and I feel my heart explode with joy. I can’t believe how much has changed so quickly, but so far, I don’t have any complaints.