CHAPTER 114: BEFORE THE STORM BREAKS

Months had passed.

Ariana gasped loudly as she sat up from the bed, her face sweaty. Zavren had managed to wake her up. She looked scared. The light silk nightwear she wore was slightly raised due to her swollen, big tummy.

Her hair clung lightly to her face as her breathing came in heavy pants. This was almost the fifteenth time she had a nightmare this week.

It had started months ago, but back then, it happened only once in a while. Now, it was getting worse—from the way she looked, the horror in her eyes was obvious.

"My wife, it’s okay. Remember, it’s just a dream," Zavren said softly.

But Ariana shook her head, and tears began rolling down her cheeks as she gulped hard.

"Z...Zavren, I’m scared. W..What if these vampires don’t really want peace? What if they’re still planning war...? I...am scared what if something..h..happens t..to y.." she mind-linked.

Zavren slowly bumped his forehead against hers.

It was already midnight, and for his wife to cry at this hour meant this particular dream must have struck her hard.

Zavren moved his hand to her chest and spoke quietly.

"Breathe in."

Ariana followed.

"Breathe out."

She did as he said, and her body calmed down a bit, though her face was still sweaty. Zavren stood and walked toward the bathroom to get a clean, wet towel for her face.

Ariana still had that horrified look on her face. Why was she having such dreams—dreams that the baby was taken from her by the vampire king?

Her body trembled as she tried her best to think straight. She needed to understand that it was just a dream.

But it felt so real... even her throat ached from the scream she had let out back in the dream.

Her hands moved to her stomach as she caressed it gently. The bump was now more than visible, and she was happy. Anytime she touched it, her mind usually felt free. Her body would calm down.

Zavren walked toward her with the towel, gently wiping away the sweat and tears from her face.

He stood and walked to drop the towel back. As he returned, he noticed Ariana staring into thin air. He didn’t want to ask her what she dreamed about, because each time she tried to speak of it, her voice cracked deeply through their mind link—or the tears would just start falling.

He walked to the bed, his grey eyes resting on her tummy. He made her sit up to look at him. Ariana gently sat up, and Zavren’s gaze locked on her as he spoke calmly.

"Sweetheart, the baby would not like seeing his mother cry and act this way," Zavren said.

Ariana pouted slightly, then a small smile formed on her lips. She crossed her arms over her chest as she replied,

"And how sure are you little one is a boy? What if the little one is a girl?"

Zavren chuckled softly. "I don’t mind having a little princess," he said as Ariana smiled and nodded.

"I won’t let you sleep," Zavren added, and Ariana stared at him curiously.

"Not when your mood is not good. I want you to sleep happily," he said teasingly as he moved his hand to gently stroke Ariana’s tummy.

Ariana watched his hand move slowly around her bump, her eyes on him, and then something happened.

"Am I right?" he asked, his eyes now focused on her belly.

To their surprise, the baby kicked.

Ariana’s eyes flew wide. She couldn’t believe what she had just felt—the baby had responded to them. Her hands flew to her mouth as she stared at Zavren, her smile widening.

Zavren leaned in, pressing his lips softly to hers in a gentle kiss. He slowly pulled back, moving his hand to cup her breast lightly, squeezing softly. Ariana’s eyes met his as she let out a quiet moan.

His hand moved slowly beneath her nightwear, pressing a bit harder as the fabric turned wet around her nipple. Zavren leaned down, wrapping his lips around it.

Ariana moaned again and quickly covered her mouth.

Zavren raised his head curiously, noticing her trying to suppress the sound.

"Sweetheart, don’t hold it in," Zavren whispered.

Ariana turned her head to the side, her face flushing. She looked back at him and mind-linked,

"What if the baby hears us?"

Zavren’s eyes widened slightly, then he began to laugh.

Ariana’s face burned. Why was he laughing now? This man was seriously laughing at her!

She glared at him, but he didn’t stop. He kept laughing hard.

"I wouldn’t have said anything," she mind-linked again, annoyed as she turned her face to the side with puffed cheeks.

Zavren pinched her cheek lightly, his face glowing with admiration.

"Sweetheart, why would you think that?" he asked, still smiling.

Ariana didn’t even know whether to be annoyed or glad. He was laughing so genuinely. Who knew her cold husband could laugh this much? His eyes had softened. The once-cold gaze was gone, replaced with a calm, gentle one.

If only she knew—she had been the light in his dark world.

"I just felt like..." Ariana started, but paused when she saw Zavren holding back another laugh.

She turned her face away, pouting hard.

"I’m not saying anything again," she mind-linked.

Zavren leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. The lights had come back in her eyes, and that alone brought a wide smile to his lips.

"My sweet cutie wife," he said, dragging the words in that silly way that made Ariana smile again.

She turned slowly to look at him, trying to see if he was going to laugh again.

But he didn’t.

Then, she moved, placing her hand on his, her fingers tracing over his large hands that were covering her small ones. Her other hand continued tracing lightly.

As she raised her head to stare at him in the face, she linked softly through her thoughts.

"Once I give birth, I’ll make sure to do lots of things with you. We... I will ride on you."

Zavren’s lips curled up immediately, and Ariana’s face flushed red, realizing what her husband had just thought.

"Not that, you bad-minded man," she muttered in their link.

He laughed loudly, amused by her reaction. Then, he moved and laid down. Ariana followed, resting her head gently on his chest as he continued.

"But sweetheart, I did not think about anything naughty... You’re the one who reminded me. You see? You’re slowly corrupting me. I’m so innocent."

Ariana rolled her eyes. "Wowww. That means chickens can fly."

Zavren chuckled, his fingers gently caressing her hair backward.

"Yes, they can... just that they’re not determined enough," he replied, and Ariana’s lips widened in a smile. Who knew a day would come when they’d chat this sweetly, teasing and lighthearted?

"Okay, sweetheart, time to sleep. You can cuddle me all you want," he said warmly.

Ariana’s face brightened, but instead of agreeing, she raised her head slightly and mind-linked again.

"But I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to sleep now. I want to spend more time with you, my husband."

This past month, she had gotten so used to mind-linking with him..especially with her emotions—that it felt easier than ever. Even when she couldn’t, she’d write to him, leave notes, or speak with her eyes.

A smile rested on Zavren’s face.

"I expected this, sweetheart. I knew you’d change your mind. How about I taste a little of your—"

Before he could finish, Ariana’s hands quickly flew up to cover his mouth. She glared at him sharply, then moved her fingers to her lips in a ’shhh’ gesture.

"Oh, I forgot," Zavren said playfully through her fingers.

He honestly had no idea why she thought the baby could hear them... and that she wasn’t joking about it surprised him even more.

Ariana moved to sit up, and just as she did, Zavren sat up with her. She hissed as she slowly opened her legs a little further. Zavren’s brows furrowed in worry.

"Are you okay, my wife?"

Ariana nodded calmly and turned to him.

"Zavren... I—I want fruit," she said gently. It wasn’t just a want. She was craving it deeply all of a sudden.

Zavren nodded, rising to his feet. But he paused. Should he leave her alone and go get it? Or should he call for someone? He stood there for a second, clearly thinking, before finally speaking again.

"Sweetheart, stay put, okay? I will be back before you know it" he said.

Ariana nodded, a small smile tugging her lips.

As he hurried toward the door, her heart swelled. She didn’t know her husband was this gentle and calm. The hurry in his movement made her heart flutter.

Her throat felt dry, so she stood up slowly and walked toward the table near the corner of the room.

She reached for the water jug and opened the cover. As she poured some into a cup and moved to take a sip—just then—her body stilled. Her legs suddenly went numb. Her fingers lost grip of the cup. It slipped from her hand and crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces.

Her throat hitched.

"Ahhhh!"

A scream tore through her throat.

Her water had broken.