Fire sparks

Ch.5 An Ember

Roughly five and a half months was evidently the gestation period for a baby dragon... assuming I was about two months along when the pregnancy first came to my attention, that is. 

The day my son burst free from my womb, releasing a battle cry or ferocity and life into the abyss, was the single happiest and worst day of my life. 

For starters, I had to deliver him alone. For safety. 

While the exponentially increasing violence of the Judgements had held the majority of the beasts in a quiet medium between complacency and sheer terror, plenty had acted just as I'd predicted; they'd seen my vulnerability as an opportunity. 

Each time a new threat weaseled its way to my attention, the consequential punishment became harsher than the last. Still, there was always another awaiting traitor bold or daft enough to make their move for my metaphorical crown. I was petrified that the monsters I'd already faced and eradicated were nothing more than ripples, barely a whisper of the waves of threats that were sure to follow. Whether it was true or not, it was safer to assume the more cunning monsters lay dormant, waiting for my ultimate incapacitation to make their move.

The growing threats and my growing belly had turned Braxis and Galen into fussy mother hens. Their hovering had turned to downright officiousness and it was positively ridiculous. But they had nothing on Hades’ over protectiveness.

Hades had a smug smile when I announced the guards would not be allowed in the room with me during the child's birth... that is until he realized that included him as well. He fought me tooth and nail when I insisted he stay just outside the only entrance of my room to stand guard. He argued he’d be of better service within the room, but I knew seeing me in pain would only distract him should any trouble arise. 

What I wouldn't tell him was that he'd likely crowd me, stress me far too much to offer any real assistance in the matter anyway. And with the shadowy threats looming just beyond my home, licking their chops in anticipation of their chance to easily defeat me... it just made more sense to have him beyond my door. 

Finally, after many heated debates, he conceded. The entirety of my army lined the steps and perimeter of the castle while Hades and the Fae guards stood just beyond my bedroom door.

I expected the birth to be difficult, but had no reason to anticipate the child nearly tearing me in two. It felt as if he was clawing and chewing at my very organs in the name of his freedom. 

I bit down on the bedsheet to stifle my screams. I worried my teeth would crack under the pressure. After a grueling few hours, just when I thought I could take no more, he entered the world, announcing his arrival with an earth shattering shriek... not of fear or confusion; simply a 'hello world, I'm here.' I heard later his screams had caused dust to fall from even the farthest walls of the Dark Place. When he finally hushed, the child and I laid staring at each other.

He was perfect. He curiously opened his piercing ruby red eyes and ran them over my face. I hadn’t spent much time with babies in my life, but I was sure his behavior was not typical for a newborn. He was so aware. I carefully brushed his full black locks away from his face. As I did, he gripped my fingers with his chubby little hands and moved it to his cheek. He nuzzled into it, making the sweetest sounds, effectively shattering my heart. 

I smiled softly as I ran a finger down his button nose. I wished more than anything I could share with him the beautiful world that laid beyond this realm. I wanted to raise him to understand his powers, know his dragon, and live like true royalty- not to be used as some vicious tool in game started long before his conception.

For the first and only time in his life I gently lifted him and kissed both of his eyes. I inhaled his sweet newborn scent. My heart throbbed within my chest. When my lips parted, tired and weary, something of a sob slipped the cracks. 

He tilted his head at the sound, appearing to carefully consider my well-being. Yes, the child was far too smart. Despite myself, I heard my own whisper, “I love you, Lucian.” I hadn’t previously considered what I’d call the child, but the second the name left my lips I knew it was right. He looked at me, his eyes still exploring my face. “You’re going to hate me, though. I’m so sorry, kid.” 

I held him tightly for only a moment more before setting him on the bed and attempting to stand. Pain wracked my body. 

Okay, so no standing then. I glanced behind me to find the baby looking at me with what seemed to be concern. Only a few minutes old and the child already appeared to have a sturdy grasp on emotion. There were ancient creatures within this realm with less of an understanding of basic human emotion than this newborn. 

He extended a chubby little arm towards me, as if recognizing my weakness and wanting to help. Part of me wanted to hold him, tell him not to trouble his mind with grownup matters so early, but a larger part of me had had enough coddling men for one year. So, I rolled my eyes. “Oh don’t you give me that look, kid. I’m fine.” I braced again as I tried to stand. When I looked back, his eyebrows were quirked in what appeared to be sarcasm so I added,  “Mind your tone, boy. If its so easy, I'd like to see you stand.” I shook my head and tried to stand a third time, but my efforts were futile.

A slew of colorful curses left my mouth. The baby babbled behind me as if attempting to imitate my foul words. I couldn’t help but chuckle quietly. “Good boy. You’re going to do just fine here, my little monster.” His mouth opened revealing a very gummy smile, breaking my heart all over again. “Aht, aht. No smiles.” I lifted a stern finger at him and made my face very serious. Adorably he furrowed his brow and tried to copy my expression. Again, I laughed and again he copied. 

“Goddamnit, Lucian, stoppp! You can’t be cute! You just can’t, okay?” His eyes became round and glowed slightly at the reprimand. His bottom lip trembled slightly. It hurt my soul to not reach for him to offer comfort, but this was the way it had to be.

There was a quiet knock at the door, but Hades didn’t wait for an answer before he entered. “Are you okay? I thought I heard-” His voice trailed off as he looked at the child on the bed. 

“Hades, Lucian, Lucian, Hades.” I gestured between the two as if the baby could understand the introduction. Lucian’s eyes glowed and he barred nonexistent teeth at Hades. He was so f*****g adorable.

“Hm, only a few hours old and he’s already trying to pick a fight. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.” Lucian didn’t break his stare or grimace. “Lucian, huh? What made you pick that name?”

I shrugged. “He came with it.” Hades raised a questioning eyebrow, but didn’t say anything. His eyes trailed my body finally realizing I was still naked from the waist down and covered in blood and bodily fluids. 

“You look terrible.” Lucian hissed from the bed behind me at Hades’ insult.

“Good boy, Lucian.” I wanted to tickle his tummy, but knew I had to fight the urge.

Hades huffed. “Really? You two are already ganging up on me? Well, don’t make him hate me, too much. Keep that up and the kid will eventually kill me.” He stood up straight as he moved in front of me, but I didn’t miss the flicker of approval in his glaze. He seemed to still be deciding on his true assessment of the babe as he grew nearer, his eyes glued to my child the entire time. When he finally tucked his arms beneath mine to lift me Lucian began uttering a slew of babbles that I was sure would have been nothing but obscenities should the child be able to speak.

When I grunted and swallowed a scream at the pain that shot through my body, Lucian went silent. I looked back to see his eyes glowing so brightly I had to shield my eyes. Oh, yes. The child would be fine. I just had to get him through these early tender years.