For the Throne

- 1

I climb back into my bed after what feels like my fifth, or maybe sixth, you know what, I lost count, but whatever count it was, I knew I was over running to the bathroom because of being nauseous. I wasn't even vomiting properly. If there even was a proper way to do it. But I knew for a fact that I was just dry heaving. I looked down at my torso and I spoke mentally to the little bundle inside me. Why don't we rest mi carino? I apologise for using a portal. It won't happen again. Caressing my torso, I hoped it'd help put him/her to sleep. I've decided not to find out the s*x of the baby. I definitely want it to be a surprise. Burying down deeper underneath my blanket, I put my hand under my head and closed my eyes.

"Eryn? Eryn darling, wake up."

I wake to my mother gently touching my shoulder.

"Mom?"

"Sorry to wake you. But I got sick of your father's pacing so I decided to check in on you."

"I'm surprised, he's normally the first to be nosey."

She shook her head and laughed. "Oh he would've but I told him to let you rest."

I laughed. "Really mom. You never tell dad anything."

She laughed and patted my hand. "He means well but you know him. He forgets to separate his personal and professional life. Your siblings got most of the brunt of it, but with you well, you were definitely a surprise."

I cringed. "Come on mom. I've heard the story too many times now. Spare me? Just this once."

She nods. "Yes well. I suppose I could but when you become a mother you'll understand."

At that I freeze, which of course she notices.

She moves aside and sits on the other side of the bed. "That's why you're home. Isn't it?"

I breathe in and hold my hands together. "I don't even know where to start. I thought... if I slept, I would wake up and know exactly where to start but.. mom I'm so tired. This happened so fast and I just reacted. Is that normal?"

"Honey, if I don't know what happened, how can I help? I can't read your mind."

"You could."

She laughs. "Yes, I could, but I want to hear it in your own words. Not by images."

Breathing in I hold onto her hand and nod. "Okay. Here goes."

After I tell her, she's silent. Almost calculating. And I'm nervous. Not as nervous as I was when I was taking multiple pregnancy tests, but maybe the nervous you are when you're very much concerned about what someone is thinking of you.

"Well.. that's all there is to it then. You made the right choice coming home. I wouldn't have condoned you staying there another day if I was there with you. I would've transported you back here myself. But.. Eryn, he deserves to know the truth."

"I know that too mom but you don't know how he is. Well now you do but still. For the sake of his grandfather I really tried. There's just no chance of saving him, or changing him I should say. He's forever stuck in his ways. That last woman I found him with really was the last straw for me. And yes I overreacted but can you blame me? There's a point where a woman will eventually break right? Tell me you broke at one point.. with dad."

She nods. "Of course. It took a lot of time, work and effort to keep up with your father. But what mattered most is that, without all of that, you and your siblings wouldn't have been born. And our relationship wouldn't have been as strong as it is now."

"Yes well we aren't all lucky."

"You're still young. Time will tell. It does for all of us." She pauses to give me a hug before looking at the childhood photo on top of my fireplace. She smiles. "Fury and her family are doing well."

"Is Death still keeping an eye on her husband?"

"Yes, he has a lot on his plate now that she keeps asking him to look after the twins."

"They adore him. The little devils. Bet they're still the same."

"You'll be surprised. Shay has matured a bit. I think she's slowly growing into her own self away from her brother now."

"I can't see Kai doing that. He held so tightly onto her when they born. Fury got so upset. What about War?"

"He's been busy too. You just missed him actually."

"He's always travelling. Never taking a break. Strife?"

She pauses for longer than normal.

"Mom."

"We rarely see him. Since you left-"

"I didn't leave. I was taken."

"You know what I meant. He took it harder than the rest of us."

Sighing, I push the blanket off of me and I walk over to my closet. I pull my robe out and put it on, embracing the fluffiness and comforting feel of it.

"I don't think it's best if you see him right now. You're showing a little bit you know. Maybe give him some time."

"It's been too long already. You know."

"Do be careful then."

"Mom its Strife. He won't hurt me."

"You've been gone a long time Eryn. You're not children anymore and the fight between adults leaves deeper wounds than the fight between children."

"I'll be fine. If you hear anything at all, just pretend its Cerberus in heat or something."

She sighs and I leave, opening my door and turning left. It's time I visit my older brother and break the news to him. Oh lord, maybe I really do need your help this time.