Chapter 77

Chapter 77: Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Four days later.

This morning, I fainted.

The morning had started well. Kai and I were revisiting our plans for the night, and then the darkness came, Kai’s voice growing distant even as he called my name repeatedly.

Now, I woke up to a bright light that made me shut my eyes the moment they opened. My groan was met with distant hushed voices.

Scanning the room, it was clear I was back in the royal infirmary. My body felt stiff against the sickbed, likely a response to whatever injection they had given me while I was unconscious.

The voices came again, and I listened in. Even if I was not in the clearest headspace, I would recognize Kai’s and Marcellan’s voices anywhere.

"Have Clawface draft a different plan. He has the blueprint of the space. I’m not risking Alex’s life again," Kai stated.

Marcellan let out a disapproving grunt, but he did not argue. Kai sounded tense... and angry. Though I could not see him with the curtain still serving as an obstruction, I could picture the expression on his face.

"I’m cutting this particular plan off. His body’s already strained enough, and from the onset, I’d been against this anyway," he declared.

"But that changes everything. There’s no way Clawface can draft an entirely new plan. The event takes place in less than twelve hours."

Really? I must not have been unconscious for long then.

My attention shifted when the door creaked open and the doctor walked in. The same doctor who had cared for me the other day.

"Hi, Luna," he beamed with a smile as he regarded me.

I shook my head lightly. "Please, still refer to me as Alex."

"Very well, Alex," he began.

Just then, the curtain slid aside. Kai’s frame emerged, his heavy footsteps carrying him toward me before he settled into the armchair beside the bed.

I had stolen a glance earlier, but Marcellan was no longer there. It was beginning to make sense that what had happened today would have caused a stir in Kai, especially concerning our plans.

I reached for his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, making Kai glance at me.

"Please continue, Doctor. What was the matter?" I hurried to say before Kai became more paranoid than he already was.

"It’s really not much of an issue. Your body is simply exhausted, and it seems you haven’t been eating enough to sustain the increased metabolism happening in your body," the doctor explained. "Otherwise, your vitals are fine, and there isn’t any cause for concern."

"Thank you, Doctor." I smiled at the man, wrinkles forming at the corners of my eyes.

"If you wish to be discharged at any time, please let us know."

"Hm," I answered, and the man turned to leave.

Once it was only Kai and me in the room, my voice grew a little sterner.

"You heard him. I’m fine."

"What?" He feigned innocence.

I huffed, my eyes drifting toward the ceiling. "Goodness, I heard your paranoia. You’re planning to cancel our plans."

"Not at such a risk."

"You were fine before."

"Because you convinced me, as you always do, and eventually I end up hating the plan." This time, he was the one rolling his eyes.

"We’ve only got this one shot," I tried again.

Kai remained rigid about the matter, and it was obvious, so I waved him closer.

He rested his head against my inner thighs while I brushed my fingers through his hair. We stayed silent for what felt like much longer than a few minutes.

"You remember how much you want our babies to have a peaceful life, where they can live in world similar to the utopia the One Tree showed me whenever I was in that field." I stared at the opposite wall as though something had caught my attention, but in truth, I was lost in my imagination.

"We can’t achieve that in this world if we don’t risk a few things. Safety will never get us anywhere, and the enemy certainly isn’t playing it safe. If he were, we wouldn’t be in this mess to begin with."

Another few minutes passed. Kai’s calm breaths warmed my thighs.

"I married a stubborn man, you know."

"Maybe I should have been the Alpha and you the Omega?" I teased, making Kai scoff.

"You’re insulting me indirectly."

"Yeah, because you whine. Just like now. You’re whining like a child, and I thought I was your baby, but it seems I’m your daddy and you’re my baby."

Playfully, Kai’s face reddened, his exaggerated reaction drawing laughter from both of us.

When it finally settled, I reassured him.

"My power as the Aetherblood prepares me for this. I won’t be hurt, I promise."

But I lied.

I could not be sure I would not be hurt. Anything could happen, though I believed I could handle it.

∆∆∆

It was evening, only a few hours before Leo’s banquet, when we arrived back at the castle. Marcellan was the one driving us, and the journey had been surprisingly peaceful.

Back in the bedroom, maids swarmed in with different outfits, wheeling them inside as though the room was about to become a marketplace. It was a little overwhelming, though I quickly got over it when I saw the elegant designs they had brought.

After much huffing and complaining from Kai, I finally chose one from the many that had caught my attention. It was a dark blue ensemble, the suit matching the trousers and my leather shoes, though subtle glitters near the soles were meant to catch the eye.

Looking at myself in the mirror, the fitted corset built into the suit left my waist perfectly snatched, and I admired every intricate detail crafted into it.

My hair was tied into a bun when Kai came up behind me, resting a hand on my shoulder. His other hand settled over my baby bump.

"Tonight’s going to go well, right?"

"If we all do our jobs, yes, it will."

I turned away from the mirror to face him. I was afraid he might catch the uncertainty hidden in my reflection.

Kai’s thumb slipped beneath my chin, lifting my face toward his.

"Keep your mind open to me. Our bond has to remain open to each other."

I nodded.

"I’ll protect you and make sure you’re safe."

"I know."

Our lips met in a soft kiss. Kai held my hand as he led me out of the room.

It was time to attend Leo’s banquet, and much was about to happen.

Tonight, of all nights, would be the longest.