Her words hung thickly in the air, and Liora felt her heart thunder in her chest. Malzahar's piercing gaze was fixed on Vaelora, who was struggling to articulate her thoughts. Zafira stood behind her, eyes wide with apprehension. "What is it about the darkness? I don't understand!" Liora exclaimed, panic lacing her voice. Vaelora closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before invoking another word. It felt heavy, charged with an ominous energy. "No, Mamma!" Zafira screamed, rushing forward, but Vaelora raised her hands, freezing her in mid-air. "Stop! It'll hurt you!" Zafira whimpered, fear thick in her voice.
In that moment, the air turned dense, and blood began to trickle from Zafira's nose. "You're bleeding!" Liora shouted, fear clawing at her insides. But even that chilling sight couldn't deter Vaelora; the oppressive weight of the atmosphere intensified, sending her to her knees. "Mamma, please!" Zafira cried, straining against the unseen force holding her still. "Your baby is in danger; everything is dark. I can't see beyond that!" The anguish in Vaelora's voice cut through the tension as the air finally began to normalize, and Zafira rushed to her side.
"What do you mean? You said the baby was healthy! What danger are you talking about?" Liora asked, her voice shaky with urgency. Vaelora, struggling to articulate her thoughts, took a step towards them. "That's the crux! I can't discern the danger. But where there is darkness, there is peril for the baby!" The desperation in her voice was palpable as a trickle of blood escaped her nose and ears. "I'll be okay. But you two need to rest," Liora urged, helping Zafira guide Vaelora to bed. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she succumbed to an impenetrable darkness.
"Will she be okay?" Malzahar asked calmly, his eyes locked on the woman lost in slumber. "Yes, she will be," Zafira assured, settling by her mother's side. "Let us know when she wakes." Liora walked over, enveloping Zafira in a comforting hug. Zafira reminded her solemnly, "Please don't forget what Mamma told you." Liora nodded, her resolve hardening as she approached Malzahar. "No more worries, Zafira," she said. With a flick of her finger, they teleported back to the hospital. Liora instinctively wrapped her arms protectively around her stomach. Malzahar noticed but said nothing as they made their quiet exit, hand in hand. He opened the car door for her, and she smiled gratefully. "Don't let it eat at you," he murmured, taking her hands in his. She met his gaze, but the echo of Vaelora's words lingered in her mind.
As the car rolled out of the driveway, Liora's heart raced with worry. Finally breaking the silence, she took a deep breath. "Babe?" He glanced briefly at her before returning his focus to the road, and she took it as a sign he was listening.
"The baby," she continued, her voice betraying her anxiety. Malzahar squeezed her hands reassuringly. "It's okay, I'll protect both of you." She pulled her hands back with a bitter laugh. "Protect us? From what?" She turned to the window, watching the trees blur past them. Her tone was a mix of softness and accusation. "How can you protect the baby when we don't even know what kind of danger lurks ahead?" Malzahar sighed, raking his fingers through his hair in frustration. "We'll figure it out. I promise."
Liora let out a scoff, arms crossed and irritation etched on her face. "I want to believe you, Nyra, but I can't shake this feeling." She confided in her companion, who nodded sympathetically. "I know, Moonbeam, but you're both navigating the same storm," Nyra replied, her words stirring guilt in Liora's heart. "Just hold on until this thing comes off your head. Then you can talk it out."
Liora nodded, gaze shifting back to her mate, whose jaw was clenched and posture tense. Hormones surged within her, and tears began to spill down her cheeks. She quickly covered her face, desperate to hide her vulnerability. The weight of her emotions crashed over her, and her body shook with muffled sobs, caught in a tempest of fear and uncertainty.
Liora's heart pounded painfully in her chest as she replayed the harsh words she had exchanged with her mate. "Mate is in pain," Drakon's deep voice cut through the tension, directing his concern to Malzahar, who remained unfazed at the wheel. "She has to stop crying. It's not good for her health." There was a commanding edge to his tone this time, a call to action.
Malzahar's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "I know what to do." With a swift motion, he pulled off the road, the tires crunching on gravel. He switched off the engine and adjusted his seat, creating an inviting space. Liora, desperate to escape the whirlwind of emotions, reached for the door, but he was already faster.
In a daring move, he wrapped his strong arms around her and drew her onto his lap, a protective barrier against the storm raging within her. "Shh, it's okay, sweetie," he murmured, feeling her tremble against him. Panic gripped her as she clutched his shirt tightly. "I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
"It's affecting both of us; I shouldn't have acted that way," Malzahar replied quietly, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, comforting her with his presence. Outside, cars and motorcycles zoomed past, oblivious to their struggle, as the scenery danced under the brooding clouds.
The trees swayed as if sharing their secret woes, and the air was rich with the scent of impending rain. "I'll have to drive us home; today's weather is bound to turn," he breathed softly in her ear. She nodded, clinging to him like a lifeline. "We'll have to talk about this once we're home," he said, and she felt the gravity of his words.
With a nod of resolve, he gently placed her back in the passenger seat, their connection still electric. Malzahar eased back onto the road, the engine humming powerfully beneath them. "See? We just need to sort things out. Everything will work out in the end," he said with a hint of confidence, and Liora intertwined her fingers with his, a silent promise of hope.
"I was just scared, Nyra," she confessed, her heart racing as she felt the creature's eyes on her, a blend of understanding and patience shining through. The air was thick with tension, but the promise of resolution hung just ahead, waiting for them to reach it.