Chapter 125
"When I told you to save him, you said I would have a price to pay." She gave a head nod.
"The cosmos functions in the most basic manner. That day on the battlefield, your mother would not have perished with your king. Your magic has absorbed his life essence since the two of you formed a relationship. Because of the way my power has supercharged you, healing occurs far more quickly." She grinned. "The most his human body would need was a couple of weeks of rest, but since you asked me to heal him directly, the universe takes payment in equal measure." Hope was pounding in my heart.
It meant that I wasn't dead if I believed what she was saying.
"I'm not sure I understand what you're saying." When Derrick's picture vanished, my heart stopped.
"You've been unconscious for a little over two weeks now, taking on the injury meant for your mate and restoring the balance of the earth." I exhaled and knelt down, placing my hand on my stomach.
"So I can go back?" Although I was ecstatic, I also felt like I should puke.
"I don't usually meddle in the lives of my creation, but you and your brother have always held a special place in my heart. Before I give you back to your mate, I wanted to show you something, even though I know I can't undo what has already been done." She turned away from me, her words determined.
I was impatient and unsure as I observed her.
"Don't look so hesitant; you will like it—it's always nice to have a little knowledge of the future." Fading away in front of me, she said.
The empty area started to change, and a short while later I found myself in front of a massive grey brick home surrounded by vines and roses. I was laying in a backyard on the grass with Derrick's lap as my head rested on it.
I was both in and out of my own body at the same moment.
"Are you tired, my love?" His hand went to my large belly, which was full of the anticipation of a baby.
"I'm content—although I'd be more content if you'd feed me." I was pregnant, and I sounded happier and older.
"And how do you want me to feed you?" His hand went from my belly to the underside of my dress. I groaned in exasperation as his thumb rubbed over my inner thigh.
"I'm already pregnant with your babies." I squirmed and huffed as he touched me.
Really?
"And you do it so well, but that hasn't stopped us before." I gave him a hand swatte.
"You're insatiable; at this rate, you'll have to build us another house." Derrick laughed, and I felt a chill go down my spine.
"You know I'd do anything you want; haven't I proven myself already?" I tipped my head back as his fingers slid under my skirts once more. Instead of noticing the willow tree that was all around us, a young child ran towards us.
"Mom, dad! He destroyed my clothing, and Kester is always hurling mud at me." The girl, who couldn't have been older than six, pouted and settled in front of our bodies as Derrick grudgingly moved his hand.
Her skin and long, black hair gave her a striking resemblance to me, but there was no mistaking where she got her green eyes from—they shone like two brilliant emeralds as she fought back tears of annoyance.
"Sophia, you are aware that I will purchase any new dresses you desire; however, I thought you were responsible for Elena's care?" Softly, Derrick reprimanded her.
"Elena is boring; she can't do anything I tell her to, and all she does is eat the grass." I looked around for my other daughter, and I gasped as I shot up from his lap.
"Sophia." With a groan, Derrick moved his hand to massage my back. "One day Elena is going to look up to you as her big sister, and you better not let her eat grass again." He planted a kiss on my forehead before bending over and planting one on Sophia's.
He stood up and stretched a little before heading off to find our third child, which I watched.
I turned back to stare at Sophia while she fixed her gaze on my tummy. Her hands were flat against it.
"I hope the new babies are girls just so that we can outnumber Papa and Kester." That made me giggle. Through and through, she possessed Derrick's mischievous nature.
"And why would we need to outnumber Kester and Papa?" She gave a shoulder shrug.
She stated bluntly, as if she had just taken my words out of my lips, "It's good to be prepared."
"Emily!" Derrick came back towards us, carrying a toddler in his arms, and asked for our kid.
I momentarily lost my breath as I turned to face him.
Was this really how we were going to live in the future? brimming with joy, love, and babies—oh, the babies. Was I really going to give birth to twins? Fuck.
"Don't look at me like that; you're the one who keeps getting me pregnant." He returned my smile with one.
It was an absolute joy.
With a smile on his face as he concealed something behind his back, Kester ran up to us at that moment. He resembled his father to the letter.
"What are you hiding from me, you little monster?" I reached out to seize him, but all he could do was chuckle before revealing to me what was in his hands: a wobbly little daisy.
"For mama." He observed me taking it in, his eyes wide with amazement.
I glanced up at Derrick, who was watching us with admiration in his eyes.
I had found everything and more in this. With him, I had his affection, and together we had formed a family.
The gift that the moon goddess had given me began to go away suddenly. As I realized it, the image around me began to become blurry, becoming darker around the edges. My thoughts were withdrawing, becoming increasingly detached.
I was aware of my own state of being.
I returned home when the darkness dissipated and I opened my eyes once more.