Marriage Alliance With The Lycan Monarch-Chapter 231: The Power Of The Heart [Part 2]

His words did not shake me, for I knew in my heart that nothing would take Eloise and my unborn child away from me; I’d burn the realm if I had to.

"Drevon?"

I stiffened when I heard my name from her lips. My gaze locked with olive green ones. I was trapped in them, and whatever had weighed upon me 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 me, settling on Eloise’s lap.

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her to me.

"Drevon..." she mumbled weakly, holding me close like she was afraid I’d disappear.

"I know, my love. I know you have much to say, but can’t. Let me read your emotions instead, show me everything."

And she did. I found myself smiling, something I haven’t done in the past weeks.

"Is that so?" I murmured. "You’re angry with me, and you want to hit and scream at me. 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 me to the core that I couldn’t spend much time with her like usual.

"I’ll wait this time, 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 me, 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 me, I think maybe we should skip on that. You need to eat, and that’s more important."

"Not what’s more important for me at the moment."

"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 momentary, but it was worthwhile.

"Are we safe?" she asked so suddenly. "Tell me..."

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 time, 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 me, 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 me the most.

I just couldn’t bear the thought of facing her knowing I was powerless to protect her and our baby. I was mentally destroying myself, and if it hadn’t been for Diana, I would have snapped and done something I’d have regretted.

Diana saved me 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 blame 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 me this time, 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 something 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 ailment has been a part of me for so long."

"I’m sorry, I should have told you sooner. It..." I paused. "Your ailment originates from the magic in your blood."

She leaned away from me and fixed me with a pointed look. "Magic?"

"Apparently, your predecessor was Roderic the Green, a warlock who became a Forsaken and founded Beloria."

She snorted loudly, something I didn’t expect.

Then she laughed, freely, shoulders shaking from the level of amusement taking over her.

"E-Eloise?"

"Good riddance!" She chuckled. "The Ravemont bloodline comes 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 me such a question? Of course I’m okay. What? You expect me 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 me anymore. I admit I’m a bit surprised, but for some reason I always knew Beloria had some 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 me 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 something? The one I have is already big enough."

"How about I take you there after you eat something?"

"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 me 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 meals 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 come 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 me with a pointed stare.

"Don’t worry, I promise it’s not something 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 frame 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 me, hot tears streaming down her cheeks. "I love it!" She rushed to hug me, 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."