Heart of Darkness

Skender arrived home after going by Roxana's home and not finding her there. He wondered why she was suddenly here. She never came here on her own. Did she just get here after meeting his grandma?

Going to the room, he found her in deep slumber. He could tell she hadn't meant to sleep because she was curled up with no covers. He went and covered her up and decided to not wake her. Instead, he proceeded to take a shower and once he came out and got into bed she stirred in her sleep.

"You are here," she mumbled.

"Yes."

She sighed and continued to sleep for a while and then suddenly when he was about to turn the lights off she shot her eyes open wide as if hearing something and then pushed herself up. "Oh, I fell asleep waiting." She said.

"It is alright. Let's get some sleep," he told her, while he still had an ounce of control.

"Mhmm..." she sighed again and crept into his arms.

Oh, sweet torture. As she moved, she realized his body was already alive.

"Alex," she looked up at him.

He shut his eyes tightly. "I am fine. Let's sleep."

"Maybe if I tell you something, it will help."

He chuckled. What could possibly help? She would have to tell him some very bad news to make his demon go limp.

"You don't think it will work?" She asked.

"Well, it could." He said trying to sound optimistic.

"I will tell you and then...I will help you."

Oh, God! He needed help.

No! He was going to exercise control.

"You should not offer help. Remember we were going to..."

"I know but you have done so much progress. I don't intend to starve you."

No? He was already starving.

"Anyway, I have the good news first." She told him.

Skender looked at her wondering what the good news could be. Did she find him a witch who could remove the darkness? They had already tried speaking to the best ones and all of them said the same thing. It was dangerous even if the next full moon came, there was no guarantee of success. Skender would rather keep it than let anything bad happen again.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Soon in the near future," She spoke slowly and in a low voice, "there will be a small creature in the world. One that is a mix of you and me." She said.

Skender blinked, his mind going blank for a moment and then running with wild thoughts. Small creature? That was a mix of her and him?

"A-a child?" He stuttered.

She nodded.

Near future? "Do you mean..."

She took his hand and placed it on her stomach. Then she nodded with a smile.

Skender's heart ceased to beat for a moment and then it thundered in his chest.

"I am pregnant," she said.

Pregnant?

He sat up immediately and she rose with him. He turned to her, examining her from top to toe. Worry settled in his chest, remembering their wild activities later. Was she alright? Was the child alright? Was this even possible? Demons didn't conceive this fast? Was this a dream?

Roxana noticed his panic and placed her hands on his shoulders. "I know. I panicked too at first. But all is alright. The midwife said everything was fine."

"You are fine," he breathed. "And pregnant."

"Yes."

She was pregnant. With his child? He was going to have a child soon. Very soon. His heart still thumbed in his chest. That meant he was going to be a father.

Roxana smiled at him. Whatever she saw amused her.

"I am going to be a father." He said.

"Yes. A wonderful one."

His eyes stung as he tried to catch his breath. He was happy for a moment before it dawned on him the condition he was in. Dread filled him. He shook his head. "I am not safe."

"You are," Roxana said with conviction.

God, he had wanted this so badly. It was a dream come true but now...

Roxana grabbed his face and made him look at her. "I completely trust you with our child."

"Roxana." She leaned in and he held hugged her tightly. "I will do my best. I will do better." He promised.

"I know you will."

He could not help the tears as he hugged her. Even with the darkness inside, everything else in his life was perfect. Just the way he had dreamt of it. He had his mate, his grandmother was here and he even found a family with Fanny and Uncle Ben who made him laugh and now he would have a child. His own child.

"You make so happy," he told her.

"You make me happier."

Pulling back he kissed her forehead and then kissed her. He had only meant to kiss her softly but Roxana straddled him and added more passion to their kiss pushing him back down on the bed. "Let's take care of your needs now," she said.

"No! No more taking care of me." He said gently removing her. "You will sleep and rest."

He rose and adjusted her in her bed. "I am fine," she told him.

"I know and you will be better sleeping," he grabbed the cover and covered her up. "Did you eat?" He asked.

"Yes," she replied.

"Don't lie to me," he said.

"I am nauseous. I can't eat much."

"You should have my blood then. We should make sure you are in the best condition. It might also cure your nausea."

"Uh... I don't think so." She said.

She seemed to have gathered the information she needed.

"Let's just sleep. I have too much of your blood in me anyway. I cut myself yesterday and the wound was completely gone in an hour." She added.

He contemplated for a moment and then decided to let her sleep. He gathered her in his arms and stroked her back gently until she fell asleep. She did so very fast. She must have been tired, this stubborn woman. He kissed her hair, promising to take care of her again despite the fact that she couldn't hear him.

Then he lay in the dark for a moment, thinking of his future and imagining himself as a father. He was dreading yet anticipating it at the same time.

It made him think of his parents for a moment. Despite everything, he wished they were here and that he could share the good news with them.

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