"My abdomen hurts!" Liora winced, a cry escaping her lips as another wave of pain hit her. "Step aside!" A warm, calming voice enveloped her like a protective blanket, distilling her fear. Clutching the arm of her concerned mate, she gasped, "It's tightening! It feels heavy, like something is pulling within me." Her voice trembled, her eyes wide with bewilderment.
Suddenly, a breathtaking figure knelt before her, placing a hand on her abdomen. Liora closed her eyes as the woman's hand began to glow with a dazzling light. "What are you doing?" Liora's suspicion laced her voice. The figure gasped and recoiled. "Can you see me?"
"Of course I can see you!" Liora shot back, disbelief flashing across her face. The woman's expression softened, and she rushed to take Liora's hands, gazing deeply into her eyes. "You are here; I've waited decades for you." Her voice was tinged with a powerful, unnameable emotion.
"Why wait for me? Who are you?" Liora pulled away, glancing around to see their surroundings frozen in time. "Don't worry. For now, focus on your baby. It's fine; you just need to eat and relax." As her words faded, the world around them resumed its usual rhythm.
"Call the doctor, now!" Liora interjected, grabbing Malzahar's hand. "No, I'm fine now. I want to eat and sleep. I'm feeling tired." A collective sigh of relief swept through the room as the tension dissipated.
"Alright, everyone. It's getting late. My mate is exhausted; we'll continue this introduction tomorrow," Malzahar declared, scooping Liora into his arms. She gasped and buried her face against his chest, heat rising in her cheeks. "I told you not to do that in front of them! It's not fitting for a queen," she whispered, a playful complaint escaping her lips.
"I was worried about you and the baby. The long drive may have taken its toll," he replied casually, his attention unwavering from her. Despite pouting, she snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his chest. "Your chest is hard, but I like it," she murmured, careful not to let his mother overhear.
A chuckle left his lips as he smirked down at her. "You'll have all the time in the world to feel it, but first let's get you something to eat." She nodded eagerly, and together they made their way to the kitchen.
"Need any help with that?" Silos offered, but Malzahar shook his head firmly. "You should go get some rest instead."
"Am I going to sleep with you, Mummy?" Liora's question was muffled by a banana.
"Now, now, tiny troublemaker, no talking with food in your mouth! I can barely make out a word you say," Malzahar quipped, playfully flicking her nose as he began gathering ingredients to whip up something light for her.
"Nope! There's a room prepared for her. You'll be sleeping in my room, which is our room now," Malzahar declared, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Liora's cheeks puffed out as she stared at him in stunned surprise. "D-don't you get tired?" Her heart raced, and she nervously glanced at her mum.
"Can you stop with those thoughts? It's quite disturbing!" Nyra teased, raising an eyebrow with a dramatic eye roll.
"But he said I'd be sleeping in his room!" Liora protested, flustered.
"Oh, Mija, he meant to say you two will share a room," her mother corrected with a knowing smile. Liora's face flushed bright red as she buried her head in her hands, overwhelmed. They chuckled, and her mum leaned down to kiss her forehead before walking away with Silos, leaving her alone with Malzahar.
"So my queen is getting a bit naughty. You thought I meant that?" he teased, wiping his hands on a towel and tossing it into the bin. Head down and cheeks aflame, she continued to munch on her dinner. Malzahar stood before her, hands in his pockets, watching her with a blend of admiration and concern. His heart raced at the thought of losing her, though he knew that as a king, he should be fearless.
But he was only human, driven by the desire to be with his mate and their future children. Balancing the weight of his royal life and a normal one was a challenge he'd face, all for the sake of his family and his people.
"Stop being a love-sick puppy and answer! Tiny Flame has been calling you for three whole minutes. She's about to blow!" Drakon's voice rang out, his arms folded as he waited for the fireworks.
"What? You're just going to leave me to deal with this?" Malzahar protested, only receiving an eye roll in response.
"A pregnant mate and our queen at that? The hormones are wild right now. You need to handle it," Drakon shot back, leaving Malzahar to figure it out alone.
His heart raced, mouth dry, as he stood up and faced the tiny, furious queen before him. "I could've choked trying to get your attention! Nyra told me not to talk, but I had to... for you," she said softly, her hands outstretched toward him.
His gaze darted across the empty plate before returning to her incredulous eyes. "Were you just angry at me?"
Liora nodded, but she gently pulled him forward by his shirt, her demeanor shifting. "I was... but you have to make it up to me, handsome, right?" The surprising sweetness in her voice caught him off guard, igniting a spark of excitement in the air between them.