Demon's Height

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

For a long while Liorn had no intention on touching her. They had lain together in bed at night yet he made no move to touch her sensuously only to embrace her almost lovingly.

That morning she had woken up to the sun's rays and light on her body. He had stopped bounding her arms and let her watch the horizon yet he kept the door locked from the inside in which only he or any other person he had given authority to enter using a key that was fabricated.

As she had woken earlier, she felt his hand on her belly that slowly took shape. He had done that much recently but she took no notice of how often he had done that. It was no different than before just this time it was on her stomach and not her breast that started to take fill as well.

There were rumors and his reputation had not gotten better as word rounded that she was with child and him locking her in her bed chamber dungeon had the nursemaids and servants gossiping. Liorn as usual ignored it as he continued to work, ignoring the scolding that Nurse Mya had told him. He retorted with Melinia being his wife and he was free to do with her as he pleased.

He knew that he didn’t mean any of it as he just couldn’t control the anger and hurt, he felt when she looked at him with those eyes that he could no longer read. He rubbed the side of his temple as he crushed the paper that was on his desk.

*** 

As Melinia had lain asleep, Liorn had the dress makers make her a new gown in which they took away her bindings and let her bulging belly fit into a new gown. Her breasts he noticed had taken weight also as the nurse told him her body was changing itself to accommodate a child.

Inside he had felt a very tingly feeling in his gut and at times when he had touched her belly, he felt like smiling like a mad man. He was happy. A child, his and hers. He thought about its traits and characteristics. Truthfully, he did not care about if they were siring a boy or girl. If it was a girl, he'd make it law that his firstborn daughter gets the chance to become an heir, unless she herself does not want the title. He'd shower her with presents and clothing, anything for a little princess. She'd have her mother's smile and her hair but his character. She'd be tough and strong.

If the firstborn was a son, well he knew Melinia would spoil and baby him as soon as he is birthed. For some reason he felt that Melinia would love his children if not him. But he also wished to the gods that he had not done what he had. Regret and a rock hit his gut. He couldn't control the beast that was inside of him. If Liorn could he would have gutted the bastard that had tried to claim his wife.

Did he dare believe that she did not betray him? Of course, not she was a pure virgin as he had taken her that night and he saw what he had done after the fact. It angered him even more to know that he was foolish enough to fall to whatever childish antics his enemy wanted. She told him that she did not do anything to betray him yet he betrayed her instead.

Liorn rubbed his palm over his face. Gods he had no right. She had tried to plead and tell him yet he did not listen. The beast inside. The beast inside ruined a relationship he had that was slowly growing between him and his bride. He knew there was no way in reconciling that old relationship. He could not undo the past and his mistake, but move on and hope he could make it up to her.

At the dining hall Liorn sat as he waited for Melinia to enter. It had been a while since he had enjoyed a meal with her.

When he had put her in solitude, he had her meals brought up to her like a prisoner in a dungeon. He had kept her and treated her like a prisoner and for what crime?

He watched dumbfounded as Melinia entered in her new sky blue and gold gown. Her hair was braided in one tail with a gold ribbon braided in each knot. The maids that stood by waiting watched her with a smile on their faces for Melinia's return.

She looked beautiful in her gown and it had outlined her belly. Over the past few months she became larger in the womb. They all have said that that child must be one healthy thing and all waited for his arrival and so did Liorn.

Melinia gave a curt nod to the maid that pulled out her chair for her as she cautiously sat on the chair. They ate in silence.

"Your father has sent a messenger from your hometown. He wanted me to give you these gifts from your family. I've placed the gifts in our chambers." He instructed her and Melinia looked up at Liorn with surprise on her face. She did not say much as she smiled and continued eating as if she wanted to hide her happiness from him. Not likely. Seeing her smile from the times he had showed her no mercy was like the sun finally shining through after the cold winters.

Both had continued their meals. Mostly in silence. Liorn had finished before Melinia but she continued to eat. "My lady, would you like us to bring on more food?" the nurse asked with humor. Melinia blushed at her plate. She stuttered trying to clear her over eating but found no words to formulate.

The nurse chuckled. "My lady most women who are with child has increase hunger. Be thankful you have the royalty to an endless supply" she informed her highness. Melinia sunk back in her chair. She then murmured a 'thank you'.

After another helping Melinia was finally feeling placated. "Is there something the lord wants from his mistress?" Melinia almost spat the words out.

She had noticed him watching her with heavy lidded eyes and his eyes watched her silently. He did not say a word as he silently observed her almost like a wildcat. He had switched gazes as she accused him of needing something. He did not say a thing in the way up to the bed chambers.

Truthfully, his presence was not needed as Melinia was to be escorted back into their chambers but he wanted to see her reaction from the gifts. For some reason that was beknown to him, he received an unfamiliar feeling when she'd show great happiness or a small smile.

They entered the chamber together and opened the gifts. Much was fabric from the finest dressmakers and Melinia smiled as she opened the gift from her brother, no surprise that he had gifted her with a fine dagger. She had expected Liorn to snatch the weapon away from her but he politely asked for the shank.

He studied the metal and felt it. "Your gifter has a fine eye for this weapon. If you look at it, the hilt had already been worn for your hands. Around the girth of the blade is a small engravement of flowers. The dagger ia small and discreet, easy to hide and flows very easily that even a novice in swordsmanship would do hefty damage." he handed her the dagger as he placed the beautiful engraved sheath over the blade. "Are they afraid I will hurt you?" he asked but Melinia had only shrugged. Of course they did. Liorn was a dangerous man. Very dangerous like the beast inside.