Page 37 of World At War

Tiamat’s smile widens, her pride clear as she looks down at our daughter. “That’s incredible, Melinoe!” she exclaims, her eyes shining with pride. “I can’t wait to see it.”

Meanwhile, Garyx and Orion, our mischievous sons, continue to bounce around the bed, their dragon forms slowly fading away as they revert to their human selves. Their laughter fills the air as they playfully wrestle with each other, their movements fluid and graceful.

Garyx’s eyes twinkling with mischief as he pounces on Tiamat, burying her under a pile of blankets and pillows.

Tiamat lets out a mock gasp, her laughter ringing out as she playfully struggles beneath our son’s weight. “Help me, Knox!” she calls out, her eyes dancing with mirth as she looks up at me.

I can’t help but chuckle at the sight before me, my heart swelling with love and pride for my spirited family. Leaning down, I plant a kiss on Tiamat’s forehead before joining in the fray, tickling our sons mercilessly as they squirm and giggle beneath my hands.

For a moment, all the worries and fears of the outside world fade away, replaced by the simple joy of being together as a family. In this moment, surrounded by the laughter and love of my mate and our hatchlings, I feel truly blessed beyond measure.

The warmth of Tia’s lips lingers on mine even after she’s left the room, her sweet scent still hanging in the air. I watch her go, a soft smile playing at the corners of my lips as I revel in the simple joy of having her back by my side.

“Morning, brother,” I say, turning to face Draven as he stands at the doorway, his presence a comforting presence in the room.

“Morning, Knox,” he replies, his voice warm and familiar as he crosses the room to stand beside me. Together, we watch as Tia slips out of bed, her movements graceful and effortless even in the early hours of the morning.

Draven’s hand finds mine, his grip firm and reassuring as we shake hands. “It’s good to have her back, isn’t it?” he says, his voice soft with emotion.

I nod, a swell of gratitude rising in my chest as I think about everything we’ve been through together. “Yeah, it is,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, we stand in silence, lost in our own thoughts as we reflect on the journey that has brought us to this point. Despite the trials and tribulations we’ve faced, we’ve emerged stronger and closer than ever before, bound by a love that transcends time and space.

As we make our way to the kitchen to join Tia and the children for breakfast, I can’t help but feel a sense of peace settle over me. Whatever challenges lie ahead, I know that as long as we have each other, we’ll be able to face them head-on, united inour strength and determination to overcome whatever obstacles may come our way.

Chapter 25

Tiamat

-Six monthslater-

The morning sun spills through the curtains, casting a warm golden glow over the room as I lie awake in bed, my thoughts heavy with the weight of the news I received at my last doctor’s appointment. I can still feel the chill of the sterile hospital room, hear the echo of the doctor’s words ringing in my ears as she delivered the devastating verdict.

Infertile.

The word hangs heavy in the air, a crushing blow that threatens to suffocate me as I struggle to come to terms with its implications. How do I explain this to Knox, my beloved mate? The man who has stood by my side through every trial and tribulation, unwavering in his love and support?

The weight of the news settles heavily on my shoulders, a crushing burden that threatens to suffocate me. My reproductive system is extremely damaged. It would be a miracle if I ever conceived again.The words echo in my mind, each syllablea painful reminder of the dreams and hopes that have been shattered in an instant.

I sit alone in our bedroom, the soft glow of the morning sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting a warm golden hue over the room. The air is still, the only sound the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the bedside table. But inside, my heart is in turmoil, a tempest of emotions swirling beneath the surface.

Giselle’s presence offered some solace during the last doctor’s appointment, her unwavering support a beacon of light in the darkness that threatened to consume me. But even her comforting words couldn’t dull the sharp sting of reality, the cold, hard truth that I am damaged and may never conceive again.

The memory of that last appointment with my mother and mother-in-law still haunts me. The shock and disbelief etched on our faces as the doctor delivered the devastating news. We sought refuge in the familiar comfort of the ice cream shop, the taste of sweetness a fleeting distraction from the bitter taste of despair that lingered in the air.

How do I tell Knox?How do I find the words to convey the depth of my pain, the emptiness that now lives within me? He deserves to know, deserves to understand the reality of our situation. But the thought of seeing the disappointment and sadness in his eyes is more than I can bear.

I close my eyes, willing the tears to stay at bay, but they come unbidden, hot and bitter against my cheeks. I feel like a failure, like I’ve let down the man I love more than life itself. How can I ever make this right? How can I ever hope to fill the void that now exists between us?

The sound of footsteps approaching pulls me from my thoughts, and I glance up to see Knox standing in the doorway, his eyes soft and filled with concern. My heart clenches at the sight of him, his presence a bittersweet reminder of everything I stand to lose.

“Tia, are you okay?” he asks, his voice gentle and filled with worry.

I swallow back the lump in my throat, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I... I need to talk to you,” I reply, my voice barely above a whisper.

Knox crosses the room in two quick strides, his hand finding mine and squeezing it gently. “Whatever it is, we’ll face it together,” he says, his words a silent promise of unwavering support.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what is coming. “I went to see the doctor yesterday,” I begin, my voice trembling slightly. “And... and they told me that... that possibly I can’t have anymore children.”

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