Demon's Height

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

"Melinia!" Liorn had shouted once he had turned around and found her body lying under the body of shallow waters. He took a small leap into the bath uncaring that his breeches soaked up the warm water. He dragged her body out of bath and laid her onto the ceramic tile.

There was no response from her as he watched for a movement or two. None.

Panic welled up in his chest as he lifted her off the tile and pounded onto her back. Again, no response. He laid her back down and placed his lips over hers blowing air down her mouth. Again. And again.

His stomach felt like acid as he was afraid. Afraid for her life and afraid that he'd lose her. Liorn let out an animalistic growl from frustration. A guard entered and he stopped. " Call for the healer and rush her as soon as possible. If not soon, I will have you beheaded" he growled at the guard who took off, his armor echoing behind him down the halls.

"I'm so sorry" he said as he used force to a blow to her stomach. It got a jerk out of her but that was all. Then he blew again then placed a finger down her throat. Her eyes flew open and she let loose the contents that were once in her system.

The nurse entered in shock and at the sight. "My lord" she said as she knelt next to Melinia rubbing her back comforting the child. "Tired." Melinia mumbled before blacking out.

He covered her with a velvet cloth before carrying her to their bed chambers. At the same time the healer Liorn commanded for had arrived.

Liorn paced back and forth in his room while the healer checked on Melinia who lied in bed asleep. She looked pale and her body was more sensitive. The healer-a lady in her old age with almost decaying skin but very gentle eyes even if her face looked like a snarl. "How long has she been in this condition?" she asked. Liorn did not know as he watched her small form.

“For now, she has a fever. Give her lots of liquid and let her rest please. With your permission, I would like to check on milady in a few days’ time.” Liorn nodded as guilt threatened to crush him. He watched Melinia as she slept in the bed and didn’t know what to do with himself as the underlying guilt that he had brought this upon her.

He crawled into bed next to her as he held her until they both slept like the dead.

***

A week had passed before the town healer arrived and she checked Melinia once more. A few days ago, she had woken up feeling a lot better but she had succumbed to nausea and vomiting.

"My lady, I'm the town healer and I would like to ask you some questions if I may." She introduced herself to Melinia as she had awoken. She then asked for urine from the Queen and even though Melinia was not sure what the healer was after, she had procured some for the healer. Even though the halls were filled with rumors, they would know in a few days’ time. Liorn still had her in her dungeon but he had opened the shutters for her as he was afraid that she may become deathly ill. She seemed to be in better spirits as the day had passed and he was afraid to touch her after the incident.

A few days had passed when the healer had arrived and she asked the now, bed ridden Queen one more question before she signaled for Liorn to step closer. The healer's smiled was wide and you could see her missing teeth. "I believe thy kingdom should ready for the King and Queen's firstborn."

Melinia's half lidded eyes shot open. "You don’t mean..."

The healer's hands covered her own. "The stars speak of life and you've been chosen to be with child. It's the year of the moon and the gods have blessed you with life." the healer explained as her hand placed itself over Melinia's womb. Oh, how much they did not know the sky also foretold.

The healer tried to hide her excitement but failed miserably. Liorn knew that once the healer had left that word would spread almost like a plague. In a matter of days, the kingdom would prepare itself for the royal couple and their firstborn in months to come.

Once Melinia and Liorn were alone, he sat on the edge of the bed and watched her with semi-cautioned eyes. Her eyes looked out the window that he had the guard remove the cage he had ordered on the months before. She stared at the Sunshine in which she has not seen for months. "How are you feeling?" he asked her unsure how to speak.

He watched her with that silence as she did not speak or so much as move. Finally, she had taken a deep breath. "Exhausted and faint."

"Do you desire anything?" he asked unsure of himself. He wasn’t sure how he should approach the topic and he knew that she had become to loathe him instead of love. "I mean-" he paused. What was he supposed to say, Melinia carried his child but most of all she hated him. "Will you lay with me gently knowing I hold your child?" she sneered the words a sinner would have spoken.

Liorn looked away and felt the anger and maybe regret rise. "No, but until your body physically changes and I cannot find my pleasure, I will have you any way I desire." he stood from the bed’s edge and stormed out of the room as he rose to her challenge.

Melinia, petty girl. She had brought this upon herself as she baited him but the sense of loneliness still stayed. Her throat felt dry and her stomach wanted to empty itself. She knew Liorn, and wondered since when in the past year had they become so- unfaithful to the vows that they had both swore with each other.

He was a liar, a damned shamed liar. Wiping the tear that threatened to fall she cursed her womanly hormones. "Don't worry precious, I shall love you so." She whispered touching the unphased small stomach that was no longer bare. She was wondering how this child's future would be if they continued like they are now.