Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 737: Give Anything ()

~Aloria: The Fae Royal Forest

The low hum of the small stream flowing through the meadow was the only sound other than Lodenworth’s pacing footsteps, the damp earth beneath his foot gave way underneath the hard soles of his boots, leaving behind the exact print, recreated over and over again for every time he retraced his steps.

For how long he had been pacing, Lodenworth was not certain. But that foreign emotion that was called anxiety, the one humans were more susceptible to, now churned through him in potent waves and it grew increasingly disturbing as the days passed.

"Lord Dragon..." A lilting voice called as a vaguely familiar woman approached Lodenworth from the thin path leading through the meadow. It was one of the many groomers Lodenworth had seen around a few times, tending to the flowers in the meadow. A dashingly beautiful woman, just as much as any fairy was.

She was dressed in sheer white robes and a woven flower crown, what he had come to realise was a common attire of the attendants serving in the Fae royal forest and though he had only been here twice in all the decades since he had bonded his rider, once before and now, Lodenworth still found the Fae territory intolerable, in all its ethereal beauty.

"It is lunch time. Shall I serve your meal here or will you retire to your cottage?" The groomer fairy asked, her tone unsettlingly sultry. As much as he did not wish to harbor negative opinions towards the Fae on Keila’s honor, Lodenworth knew that most fairies had been trained all their lives to aspire to bond with Lord Dragons and this was like second nature to them.

It was not that she hoped to bond with Lodenworth, his identity was well known amongst the Fae, as well as his claim and bond to Keila. It was just how most young fairies interacted with Dragon Lords, like moths drawn to a flame,

And their intimate bond with nature made them natural seductresses. They did not loathe it either, they thrived on their beguiling abilities and ethereal beauty, just as dragons thrived on battles and bloodshed.

The young woman walked slowly, tilting her head down to a bow, her lips tilted in a beguiling smile, which in Lodenworth’s view looked rather horrific.

Lodenworth frowned deeply, his brows scrunched up to display his obvious displeasure. "How much longer? It never goes on for this long." He says, ignoring the attendant’s words.

"Our healer is gifted and meticulous in her art. It may go on for much longer and My Lady would want for you to replenish your strength while you wait." The attendant said dutifully, taking a step forward but a low snarl from Lodenworth halted her movement.

"You seem to have the wrong idea, did no one tell you that I detest your kind? There are only two exceptions to this, Keila and Adrienne. You are neither, just another insufferable Fae. If you get within arm’s reach, I will kill you." Lodenworth deadpanned.

It was not hidden knowledge that Lodenworth was not fond of fairies and it was rather ironic that he had ended up bonded to one. Which had helped soften his prejudice...but only by a fraction.

"My Lady...has warned us of such." The attendant said, taking a fearful step back.

"Good. I won’t have to repeat myself then... I do not converse with random Fae, get lost." Lodenworth snapped crossly and then turned away from the attendant, so her existence ceased to be paraded in his face along with the compel to rectify it.

"You can learn to be nicer to your family, Lodenworth. Aloria is after all your second home." Diandre chided as she came into view down the forest path.

Lodenworth gritted his teeth to force down the sharp retort, this was not the right time to stir trouble with the Fae, not while Keila and his child depended on their hospitality.

"Rude as you can be, I commend your dedication to my niece. Leaving behind everything to see her through this critical period." Diandre approved, though her tone sounded more taunting than impressed.

Lodenworth ignored her and only perked up when Keila emerged from the small wooden hut that was home to the Fae healer. Lodenworth jogged over to his rider, his heart finally restored to calm as her lips stretched into a dazzling smile at the sight of him. She hastened her steps and met him halfway, molding into his arms on instinct and Lodenworth held her close, needing the proximity to settle his predator.

"You are well? And the child?" Lodenworth fussed.

"I said to wait back in the cottage. Why did you come out here?" Keila chided halfheartedly.

"You were gone for hours, I got worried. Tell me you are well, did our trip to consult the Sea oracle aid the healer in finding a cure for you?" Lodenworth asked worriedly.

"The first few months of any pregnancy are usually the most fragile period, but for dragon offspring, the complications only grow with time, it is inevitable..." Keila replied quietly, still nestled in Lodenworth’s arms.

Lodenworth winced visibly, guilt flashing through his eyes. Keila’s failing health was due to the great risk she was undergoing, carrying his heir. It had begun so suddenly that they had needed to seek help from the Fae healer, and with the tensions rising between the Fae and Dragon Kind, Keila had pleaded to keep it all a secret till they returned.

"Are you certain this is the best choice? Everon can take a look, I am certain he will even come down here if only I can contact..." Lodenworth began to say but Keila interrupted.

"How well did he fare with Kaliana?" Keila asked, "Do you forget that the molt scales were the only thing keeping her stable? He doesn’t have any of that left. And even if he did, molt scales may be effective on Asvarian blooded mortals but they are of no use to my kind." She reminded.

Lodenworth heaved a sigh, nodding his head slowly in understanding.

"Do not fret, my love. The healer can see us through this period, with her carefully monitoring me each day, if there are any complications, she can also diagnose it in time to administer the right treatment... and when this is all over, you will have us in good health. Your child and I both." Keila said tenderly.

"I will give anything for that... I won’t contact anyone if that is your wish." Lodenworth assured, nuzzling his head into Keila’s neck.

Keila ran her fingers through his hair in comforting strokes, whilst a murderous glare was fixed on Diandre who retreated silently.