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The soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the tangled sheets where Elara and Lysander lay entwined, their bodies molded together as if they were two halves of a single soul. As consciousness slowly seeped into their sleepy minds, Lysander stirred beside her, his arm instinctively tightening around her waist.
"Good morning, my love," Lysander murmured, his voice still heavy with sleep but filled with tenderness. With a contented sigh, he pressed a lingering kiss to the crown of Elara's head, his lips leaving a trail of warmth in their wake.
Elara's eyes fluttered open, the drowsiness of slumber still clinging to her like a comforting blanket. "Morning," she replied softly, her voice husky from the tears shed in the darkness of the night. But as she gazed into Lysander's eyes, the weight of her worries seemed to melt away, replaced by the overwhelming warmth of his love.
They lay there for a moment longer, basking in the intimacy of their shared embrace, the world outside their cocoon of blankets seeming to fade into insignificance. In that fleeting moment of morning bliss, nothing else mattered but the love that bound them together, a bond that transcended time and space.
Lysander's voice shattered the tranquil morning silence, causing Elara to look up from her peaceful reverie. Her eyes met his, searching for any hint of emotion in his gaze.
"I'm sorry about how I treated you last time," Lysander's words hung heavy in the air, laced with regret and dejection. The memory of their last disagreement flashed through Elara's mind like a bolt of lightning, threatening to overshadow the serenity of the moment.
Instinctively, Elara nestled closer to him, seeking solace in his warmth and presence. She refused to dwell on the painful memories, not on this peaceful morning when the world seemed to hold nothing but promise.
"Not this early in the morning," she whispered softly, her voice a gentle plea. She didn't want to taint their precious moments together with the weight of past grievances. And in that moment, Lysander seemed to understand, his expression softening with understanding and remorse.
"Where is everyone?" Elara's brows furrowed as she glanced around the empty room, expecting to see her companions, Amara and Beth, nearby. They were supposed to share the same sleeping quarters.
Lysander's grin widened as he shrugged nonchalantly. "I wanted to be alone with you," he admitted, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Elara couldn't help but giggle at his playful demeanor, the sound of her laughter filling the room with warmth.
But her moment of joy was short-lived as a wave of nausea suddenly washed over her, catching her off guard. With a gasp, she clutched her stomach, the sensation leaving her feeling weak and disoriented. Without a word, she stumbled towards the bathroom, her footsteps echoing loudly in the otherwise silent room.
Concern etched on his face, Lysander followed closely behind, his footsteps echoing hers as he hurried to her side.
As Elara doubled over the toilet, her stomach heaving with each retch, Lysander knelt beside her, his strong hands gently rubbing her back in soothing circles. The cool tiles beneath her bare knees provided a stark contrast to the warmth of his touch, a comforting anchor in the midst of her turmoil.
"I hate this feeling," Elara whined, her voice strained and shaky with each wave of nausea. The bitter taste of bile lingered on her tongue, a constant reminder of her body's betrayal.
Lysander's brow furrowed with concern as he watched her, his worry etched in the lines of his face. "Is this happening before?" he asked, his voice laced with apprehension.
Elara hesitated, the urge to protect him from unnecessary worry warring with the truth. But as she met his gaze, she saw the depth of his concern reflected in his eyes, and she knew she couldn't hide the truth from him.
"Yes," she admitted reluctantly, her voice barely a whisper. "But not like this. It's never been this intense before."
A flicker of alarm passed over Lysander's features as he absorbed her words, his worry deepening with each passing moment. "We need to get you help," he insisted, his voice tinged with urgency. "I'll ask for a healer immediately," he declared, his voice firm and resolute.
Elara attempted to decline, insisting that there were more pressing matters to attend to, but Lysander's expression grew stern and determined. "I'm not going to neglect you again," he declared firmly. "Not this time."
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The sun had reached its zenith by the time a gentle knock echoed through the door, signaling the arrival of Edith, the elderly healer. As she entered the room, her presence exuded a sense of calm and wisdom, her weathered face bearing the marks of a lifetime spent in service to others. The sight of her instantly reminded Elara of Agnes, the kind-hearted herbalist from Ashcroft, whose memory still lingered in her heart like a warm embrace.
With a smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes, Edith approached Elara, her hands gentle and steady as she assessed her condition. Elara tried to reassure Lysander that she felt a bit better now, but the concern in his eyes was palpable. He refused to take her word for it, insisting on hearing it from the healer herself.
Edith nodded in understanding as she examined Elara, her experienced touch comforting in its familiarity. "You're showing signs of improvement," she confirmed, her voice soft but reassuring.
One of Elara's heart felt relieved hearing the news, as on the other side felt guilt at the realization that their journey would have to be paused because of her illness. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was holding them back, that they would be better off without her slowing them down. But Lysander's words cut through her self-doubt like a beacon of light in the darkness.
"We don't have to rush," he declared, his voice filled with conviction. "Not when we've finally found each other."
Elara nodded. His words washed over Elara like a warm embrace, banishing her fears and insecurities with their unwavering certainty.
As Edith continued her examination, her hands moved with a grace born of years of experience, each touch deliberate and measured. Elara's heart pounded in her chest as she watched the healer's brow furrow in concentration, her every movement seeming to hold the weight of the world.
A flicker of uncertainty danced in Edith's eyes, a subtle shift in her demeanor that set Elara's nerves on edge. The silence stretched between them, pregnant with unspoken questions and fears, until finally, with a steadying breath, Edith met Elara's gaze.
A faint smile played at the corners of Edith's lips, a glimmer of warmth and reassurance amidst the tension that hung in the air like a heavy cloak. "Congratulations," she said, her voice soft but filled with a profound sense of joy. "You're expecting."
Elara's breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in shock as the weight of Edith's words washed over her. Beside her, Lysander's hand tightened around hers, his expression a mirror of her own disbelief.
"We're going to have a child?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to break the fragile spell of the moment.
Edith nodded, her smile widening at the sight of their shared joy. "Yes, it seems so," she confirmed, her words carrying a sense of wonderment that mirrored their own.
Tears welled in Elara's eyes as she turned to Lysander, her heart overflowing with love and gratitude. In that moment, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them and the promise of a new life growing within her.
As they embraced, a sense of wonder washed over them, their hearts beating in harmony with the promise of new life. In each other's arms, they found solace and strength, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. With a shared glance filled with love and determination, they knew that together, they would embark on this journey with unwavering resolve, their love guiding them through the trials and joys of parenthood.
However, looming on the horizon were the shadows of obstacles yet to be faced—the malevolent schemes of the evil queen, the uncertainties of the future, and the myriad challenges awaiting them. But amidst the uncertainty, they found comfort in the knowledge that this new life growing within Elara was a beacon of hope, a symbol of their enduring love and resilience. And as they looked towards the horizon, the dawn of a new chapter filled with endless possibilities awaited them, a testament to the enduring power of love and the beauty of new beginnings.
End of Season 1
Dear reader,
We're pausing the story here for now, but don't worry, there's plenty more to come in season two!
So, let's take a breather and catch up again soon.
Stay tuned!