407- Watchful Look
POV Seraphine Valerian:
I felt my shoulder burn more, the pain becoming nauseating with each minute. That entire side of the mark felt cold, even though the center of the bite burned. It was strange, cold on the skin, heat there and inside.
I felt different, unable to explain how. And worried that this might somehow affect the life growing inside me. New sensations spread through my chest and legs, giving me a kind of chill from time to time.
After the entire battle, the attempt to enter Noctheria, and the funeral for Adelina and Katarina, I became more aware of these symptoms. I didn't complain, for the moment was already difficult. However, I would have to speak with Viktor.
"I'm so sorry for your loss." Aldren turned and hugged him, both the same height, strong, for the first time having true contact as brothers.
Edric did the same, and for a moment, the three stood together. My eyes filled with tears again, as did those of the two she-wolves, moved.
They said that love is built, and it's true. But sometimes it is just quiet, waiting for the time to show itself or to be reborn. That was the case with them, separated for so long, even living as strangers. But deep down, keeping it for the right moment.
Viktor was quite pale, the pain reflected in his eyes. Tired. It had been a long battle, a worrying war, irreparable losses. But he spoke with them, thanked them for their presence, and they scheduled a meeting for the following day.
Many things would need to be resolved, the new division of the territories, the general laws and for the former residents of Cyndrael and Tharengard. There, humans did not interfere, in a tacit agreement. It belonged to the alphas of the Tharnak.
My shoulder throbbed more, and I felt slightly dizzy. It was Lunara, beside me, who noticed and held my arm.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes, I… it was just a sudden discomfort. Thank you." I tried to smile at her, as her sister and Viktor approached.
"What happened?" He looked at me intently, tense.
"Nothing, just…"
"She is going to transform," Elowen said quietly, now fully recovered.
I was startled, for I hadn't even thought of that. Everyone fell silent, and Viktor put his arm around my waist, with a watchful look.
"Are you feeling something? You need to tell me, Seraphine."
I didn't want to speak at that moment of suffering, to disturb him. But I realized he would become more agitated if I hid it.
"The bite won't stop burning. I have chills and feel strange, cold on my skin, heat inside. And Florian said that when I got angry, my eyes turned golden like yours."
"Damn it!" Nervous, he examined me and then looked at the others. "She can't transform into a wolf while pregnant. Shit! I didn't even give her a choice; we didn't think about the consequences!"
"There was no other way," Edric concluded. "When she's the predestined mate, it's hard to resist."
That didn't even matter to me, for I pulled him, staring into his eyes and saying with all my love:
"I would choose you and being marked above everything else. I don't care if I turn into a wolf, remain human, nothing."
"Seraphine…" Full of concern and emotion, he hugged me tightly. Then he asked his middle brother: "You know herbs, you know better than anyone about our organisms, our medicine. What can we do?"
"My brother, some time ago I created an elixir that alleviates the symptoms of the first transformation, which is always the most difficult. But it can only be used if the female is not pregnant." Aldren became thoughtful. "I've heard of cases like this, far from here. I even read about the subject. There is an herb that inhibits transformation in humans, but I need to research whether it works on pregnant women and if there are risks of harming the baby. If she had transformed before, we could just avoid it after three months. But now the danger of losing it is great."
"No." Despair enveloped me just thinking about that possibility, and Viktor held me tighter.
"I will research it tonight itself. Surely there is a way, and I will find it."
"Do you promise?" Viktor barely seemed to breathe.
"I promise."
"I will try to help too." Elowen smiled at me. "Perhaps discover some magic that inhibits it. I am connecting more and more with the ancestresses, constantly studying ways to weaken the magic in Noctheria. I will research your case now; it's a priority."
"Thank you," I murmured, believing in them. Elowen continued:
"But don't worry, I feel that you are both well. Your children, mine, and Lunara's will be cousins and friends, grow up together and in peace. United, as the parents should have been from the beginning."
I nodded, clinging to that. It calmed me. Lunara was also affectionate, hugging and kissing me before they said goodbye and departed.
When we were alone, with the remains of the pyres nearby, we embraced in silence. Viktor kissed my hair, his eyes going from the flames to mine.
"I cannot lose you both as well."
"And you will not. You heard what they said. By magic or medicine, we will find a way."
"Everything will change, Seraphine. Your body, your senses, your life."
"Good. I would hate to live only a few years as a human, to have to separate from you."
"Don't even say that to me! I would die if I lost you, if you left before me." He kissed my lips, all his feelings laid bare. "But I still feel wrong for not giving you choices."
"You did. As far as I'm concerned, I would have been marked much earlier."
It was true. However, Viktor had done everything to protect me. And that showed how much he loved me.
We went home embraced, quiet.
Everything was different with the village at peace, no threat of attacks. Although he still kept the guards at the gates. Naturally distrustful, Viktor had learned to be that way. Especially because there was still a threat: the living Ancients.
We lay down embraced, his head on my chest, his heart in pieces. I felt the pain of grief, the deep sadness that invaded him. And the worry about me and our baby.
I kissed his hair, caressed him, loved him with everything I had. I believed that time would be the best medicine.
Nothing more bad was going to happen. That was what gave me strength.