Page 49 of The Demon's Secret Baby

My throat tightens. He asked me to come here. I know that being on Protheka was hard for both of us, but it might be better than this. Maybe if I just talk to him…

Yet his anger, his distrust - it burns like acid in my chest. How can we build a life together if he doesn't believe in me?

Tears slip down my cheeks as the weight of my choices presses down on me. Stay and face constant danger, or leave and tear our family apart. There's no easy answer, no clear path forward.

I press my forehead against the cool glass, feeling utterly lost. For the first time since our reunion, I wonder if love really is enough to overcome the vast differences between Volezimir's world and mine.

As the first rays of dawn filter through the window, I rise from my restless vigil. My body aches from the hours spent curled up on the window seat, but the physical discomfort pales in comparison to the emotional turmoil churning within me.

I love Volezimir. The depth of my feelings for him still takes my breath away sometimes. He's my protector, my partner, the father of my child. But as I think of Kaelox, his tiny facescrunched up in distress during our argument, I feel a resolve solidifying in my chest.

My son's safety and well-being must come first. Always.

I begin to pace the room, my mind racing. We need to leave Galmoleth, at least for a while. The constant undercurrent of danger, the sideways glances, the whispers - it's no environment for a child to grow up in. Especially not one as special as Kaelox.

But how do I broach this with Volezimir? I hope that he will want to go with us, but with the way he acted…and he never came to find me. I don't know where his head is at.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. This isn't about me, or even about Volezimir. It's about Kaelox. Our beautiful, innocent boy who deserves a childhood free from fear and judgment.

I stand, my decision made. I'll approach Volezimir soon, lay out my concerns and my suggestion. It won't be easy, but we've faced worse together. If he loves us - and I think he does - he'll understand. He has to.

25

VOLEZIMIR

Istorm into my study, slamming the door behind me. The sound echoes through the room, matching the thundering of my heart. Anger and fear still course through my veins, but now they're tinged with a sickening sense of shame.

What have I done?

I pace across the room, my footsteps heavy on the stone floor. Each step feels like a reminder of how badly I've messed up. The image of Zylpha and Azrathel standing so close replays in my mind, tormenting me. I clench my fists, fighting the urge to lash out at something, anything.

"Damn it!" I growl, my voice low and guttural.

I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. I shouldn't have let my anger take control. But the fear of losing them... it consumed me. After years of searching, of hoping against hope, I finally had my family back. The thought of it all slipping away again...

I stop at the window, staring out at the ever-shifting landscape of Galmoleth. It's beautiful, but in this moment, it feels cold and alien. Is this how Zylpha sees it? Does she feel as out of place here as I felt during those years searching for her?

The shame washes over me anew. I've been so caught up in my joy at having them back, I never stopped to consider how difficult this transition must be for her. For both of them.

I turn away from the window, my gaze falling on a small portrait on my desk. It's a sketch of Zylpha and Kaelox, drawn by one of the castle artists. Their smiles, frozen in time, now seem to mock me.

"I'm sorry," I whisper to the empty room, my voice cracking. "I'm so sorry."

The weight of my actions settles on my shoulders. I've let my fears and insecurities drive a wedge between us, potentially undoing all the progress we've made. The thought of losing them now, because of my own foolishness, is unbearable.

I sink into my chair, head in my hands. How do I fix this? How do I make Zylpha understand that my outburst came from a place of love and fear, not distrust? And Kaelox... the memory of his tears, of the objects shaking around him, sends a fresh wave of guilt through me.

I need to make this right. Somehow, I need to find a way to bridge the gap between our worlds, to create a safe haven for my family within the dangerous realm of demon society. But first, I need to apologize. I need to show Zylpha that I trust her, that I believe in us.

I pace my study for what feels like hours, torn between the desire to seek out Zylpha and the fear of making things worse. My hands clench and unclench at my sides, restless energy coursing through me. The weight of my earlier outburst hangs heavy on my shoulders, each passing moment amplifying my regret.

Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, I make my way to our shared chambers. My heart races as I push open the door, hoping to find Zylpha there. But the room is empty, her scentlingering in the air like a bittersweet reminder of what I might have lost.

Worry gnaws at my gut as I turn and head towards Kaelox's room. I pause outside the door, taking a deep breath to compose myself before entering. The sight that greets me sends a pang through my chest.

Mara sits by Kaelox's bed, her expression weary but vigilant. My son lies still, his small chest rising and falling in the steady rhythm of deep sleep. And to my surprise, Zylpha isn't here, either, though she must have laid him down to sleep.

"How is he?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

---