Marriage Alliance With The Lycan Monarch-Chapter 241: My Greatest Love

It was a sound that captivated silence, and everything went still. I forgot to breathe for a moment, and a strong feeling seized my chest in a tight hold.

I glanced at Eloise, who had her gaze fixed on me already, her face drenched in sweat, her breath heavy and slow. Despite her distress, she smiled at me. Words were not said, but her eyes spoke volumes, and I could read it.

Our son is here. After waiting so long, he was here. Lucard was here.

I pressed a prolonged kiss on her forehead. "You did so well, my love. You were wonderful."

"Monarch," Valestra seized my attention, holding our son covered in blood, tiny hands and legs wiggling.

Hestiant, I rose to my feet when she handed me Lucard.

He was so small in my hand that it felt like a giant held him; he moved too much, and I was afraid he might fall off.

Holding such a delicate life in my hand unleashed a protective instinct I didn’t know I had in me. So I brought him close, not minding the blood.

"Congratulations, my liege, your majesty." The room rang in endless praise.

I walked to Eloise and dropped to one knee, placing him beside her.

Tears built up in her eyes. "Hello, Lucard." She caressed him, and even she was too big for him. "He’s so tiny."

Eloise’s eyelid grew heavy, and her body slumped.

"Eloise!"

Valestra quickly rushed to carry Lucard. "You must give her your blood, monarch. That is the only way she can heal. Awaken the ice in her blood once more."

I didn’t hesitate as I sank my canines into my wrist and positioned it at her mouth. I was mindful that every drop was swallowed, and Eloise’s body went cold.

"More, monarch," Valestra urged. "She needs as much as she can get."

I did as she said, ensuring more was given to Eloise. Her body was still in my arms, too cold for me, and I got worried.

"She’s not responding," I panicked, holding her closer so that my heat would ease her cold.

"It means it’s working, monarch," she said.

"Are you certain?"

"Yes, the snow in her blood is finally coming forth, stronger than it once was."

"What do you mean?"

"A small part of her human side will linger."

I wasn’t worried about that; I only cared about her health.

"Will she be okay?"

"As healthy as a horse when she wakes."

~•~

"He weighs too little," Celia explained. "And he has no heartbeat."

I looked back at the crib. Lucard was asleep, cleaned up, and changed into the layette that Eloise had made for him.

"There is no need for worry," Corvin said. "I feel the magic pulsing through his veins, stronger than any warlock I have known. That alone will make him strong."

"But there must be utmost care, my liege," Celia added. "He’s in a very fragile state."

I nodded. "You may leave."

I kept my eyes on Lucard as they left. I leaned down, hand fondling his head, and he opened his eyes. They were a striking blend of crimson and olive green, unnatural and impossible to look away from.

I was lured into an image of blur, tiny hands moving. I heard my voice as well as Eloise’s, and his reactions were jolts.

I smiled when I realized what had just happened. He just showed me his reactions whenever he heard our voices.

"You like the sound of my voice?" I reached out to carry him as gently as I could.

I frowned slightly when I couldn’t feel any temperature from him. He was just so unnatural, but perfect in every way.

He was a life that Eloise created and brought into this world, and I wasn’t sure I deserved it.

"Drevon."

I whipped my head to see Eloise stepping into the nursery.

"You shouldn’t be out of bed, my love."

My moonblood had healed her completely, and even though it had been a few hours since she gave birth, she was as healthy as a horse. But I wanted her to rest longer while I tended to our son.

"Go back to bed, my love."

"I-I feel fine."

"Are you sure?" I asked strongly.

Eloise came to us in a heartbeat. "He’s... perfect." She carried him in her arms, and her body shook, as if overcome by the idea that he was here.

I held her close to keep her steady.

"Am I dreaming?"

"No, my love. Look into his eyes."

Eloise was puzzled at first, and when she did, she gasped.

"Is that?"

"Yes," I said breathlessly.

"He shows us how much he loves listening to our voices in your womb. Especially yours."

"No wonder he kicks a lot whenever we’re both near." She stroked his head. "Oh my, Lucard, I finally get to meet you."

I kissed the top of her head. "Thank you, my love."

"For what?" She smiled up at me, and suddenly the drastic pain she was in felt like a dream, but it was a memory that would stay with me forever, because I never wanted to see her go through that ordeal again.

"For making me a Father."

"Thank you for making me a mother too. I never knew this feeling before, and now that I do, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I hold our joy in my arms, Drevon."

I leaned down and kissed her briefly. "I appreciate you more, my love. Because without your strength, I wouldn’t be the happiest man on earth."

~•~

I couldn’t stop smiling. Eloise has always been happy, but now she seemed like she was beaming with joy. She rocked Lucard, humming a tune I haven’t heard before.

She hadn’t left the nursery or put him down. She fed him and held him close like she was afraid he would disappear.

I leaned away from the chair and rested my elbows on my knees. "My love, you need to eat something."

"I’m quite full," she replied distractedly, completely taken over by him. "He has both our eyes. I never thought it could blend so well and make such a lovely color."

I chuckled.

"What? Did I say something funny?"

"No... it’s just..." I leaned back on my chair.

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously before coming closer. "Speak..."

"Words cannot describe it, my love."

"Then describe it through your feelings." She walked back to the crib and gently placed Lucard inside.

She sat on my lap.

"Well?"

"And here I thought you wouldn’t spend any time with me."

She gasped. "Don’t tell me you’re jealous already. You vile beast! It’s only been a day!"

"Can’t fault me for wanting my wife’s little attention."

She scoffed. "Enjoy disappointment from now on."

"I have no reason not to expect that, and it’s fine."

"Really?"

"I’m having a glimpse already."

She tipped her head. "A glimpse of what?"

"How big your love is."

Her eyes trembled at her words.

"We broke the cycle..."

"It’s too late to assume such." She glanced at the crib. "It’s only the beginning, and I hope we can always be there for him."

"I told you I see it already." I held her closer, finally having her in my arms. "And I know in my heart you’ll love him beyond words."

She gave me a sad smile. "What about you, dearest?"

"You still come first for me. Always and forever. When I saw you on that bed, bleeding out, I thought I’d lose you forever. Your pain was like a knife to my heart. Your screams almost made me go mad."

"Drevon..." she mumbled softly.

"And then I heard his cries and I knew no doubt that was the life you brought into this world, almost died for. When I held him, Eloise... I was..." I paused, having no words to define that moment.

Eloise smiled as if she could read my feelings. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me. It was a soft, slow connection, all I needed to ease my body and mind.

"Is the Monarch of Lycans suddenly short of words, or do my ears deceive me?" She said amused.

I slowly grinned. "Words have escaped me ever since I laid my eyes on you."

She took a slow, shaky breath, utterly mesmerized. I knew I affected her. Seeing her that way made me proud. She had no idea how much she meant to me, and till this day, I couldn’t possibly find a way to tell her that.

"You’re my greatest love," I mumbled because that was all I could put into words.

I cupped her cheeks. "In this life and many others. There is no room for others."

"I always knew you were a poet."

"And as I told you that day on our first breakfast together, I’m no poet."

"Ah, the memories, you were always such a gentleman. Who knew a beast could be one?"

I kissed her knuckles. "Your beast."