Song For This Chapter: The Power Of Love Is Here Now by Alexia Chellun

Years Into The Future....

Elien;

"Don’t you dare take that off!" Lioran’s voice snaps at me like a whip, and I scoff as I drop my hands from the blindfold wrapped tightly around my eyes.

"I am your husband. Why do you have me blindfolded like you’re about to sell me off?" I say to him dryly, as I stand in what I can only assume is the centre of our training lawn.

The ground beneath my boots feels familiar... But there’s a faint scent of oil and metal... and the distant crackling of firewood.

"You’re insufferable," Lioran shoots back immediately, and I smile.

I hear him moving around quickly... Too quickly for my liking.

There’s a soft thud, then a muttered curse.

I tilt my head.

"You’re running," I note in plain dislike, and he answers immediately, the way he always does when he’s lying.

"I am not running."

"You are running," I note as I cross my arms over my chest, and I hear him slow down.

"I was just... walking briskly... with purpose." He replies, and I can’t help but smile because I can already picture his pout.

"You’re not supposed to stress yourself in your condition," I note, and there’s a pause... and then a softer sound of movement.

"I’m not stressed," he says, slightly breathless, and I sigh.

"I promised I wouldn’t strain myself. So, I only... adjusted a few things." He adds, and I raise a brow.

"Adjusted?" I repeat sceptically, and his reply comes fast and proud.

"Yes."

"Define adjusted." I push, knowing Lioran never listens when he’s told to be careful or to rest. It’s not something he’s used to, and that’s the very reason I am constantly on my toes.

"Lio—" I begin, but he cuts me off.

"You’re not allowed to ask questions." He replies, and I laugh under my breath.

The sound feels strange in my chest these days.

It’s...fuller... warmer. Almost even carefree. An undiluted happiness I never knew I was capable of feeling.

I take a step forward, and now I can smell new things—firewood, roasted meat... honey.

There’s also lantern oil, and... metal. Polished metal.

My brow furrows as my curiosity piques. Where has he brought me? What is he up to?

"Lioran," I call, and he almost yells.

"Not yet, Honey! Wait!" He scolds, and I let out another breath.

He sounds closer now. I can feel his presence like heat against my skin.

Then his hands gently hold my shoulders from behind.

"Ready?" he whispers, and I decide to tease him.

"No," I reply, and he huffs.

"Too bad." With that, he unties the blindfold, and as it falls off, light floods my vision.

I look up, and my heart forgets how to beat.

I was right. We are at the training lawn, but it is... unrecognisable.

Lanterns are hanging from ropes overhead, casting golden light across the lawn. The weapon racks have been cleared and polished.

And then I see it. My first practice blade— the one I made for myself and cracked down the centre due to my impatience — is mounted carefully against the far wall.

Beside it hangs the gauntlet I wore the night I almost died protecting him.

My throat tightens... but I don’t look away.

The central sparring circle has been transformed into a beautifully... intimate space. Thick furs cover the ground, cushions are scattered around a low wooden table set with roasted meats, spiced wine, dark honey cakes... all my favourites.

Even the old training posts have been wrapped in crimson cloth, braided with small wildflowers.

It is still the lawn... And yet somehow... It’s different.

A kind of difference I didn’t know I needed.

I turn slowly, taking it all in as my heart aches sweetly. Every detail is deliberate... Every memory between us touched.

Lioran steps into my line of sight, and all my attention drifts to him.

He’s wearing dark blue today.

The colour makes his eyes shine brighter tonight. His hair is tied back loosely, though several strands have escaped and fall against his perfect face.

His hands are on his waist, and he’s discreetly trying to catch his breath. He’s not doing a good enough job at being discreet.

Four months.

We’ve been married for four months, and I still look at him like I am afraid he will disappear.

"Well?" he asks quietly, and I can’t help my smile.

"You did all this?" I question, and he grins proudly.

"Yes. All by myself!" He announces, and I pause.

"Lioran, you were not supposed to—" I begin, but he cuts me off.

"I know... But I wanted to." He says, adding the last part in a whisper.

My chest feels tight as I stare at him, and he smiles at me. That tender smile he always uses to get out of trouble with me.

I look back at all the decorations and walk towards my old blade. I pick it, and memories rush at me.

"You kept this," I whisper in disbelief, and he shrugs as he moves over to me.

"You hated the sword... but it reminds me of the version of you I first fell in love with. That stubborn, aggressive young man," he replies, and I smile as I gently run my fingers along the hilt.

"I didn’t hate the sword. I hated losing." I note, and Lioran sighs.

"You were nineteen." He notes, and I huff softly.

He moves closer. His steps are slower these days. Careful and measured.

"You never celebrate yourself," he says, and I look up at him.

"So I thought I would." He adds, and my jaw tightens.

Today is my birthday... well, mine and Elian’s birthday. The brothers celebrated us, but as usual... Lioran had to do something special... for me.

But birthdays were never a thing in my childhood. They were days like any other. If anything, they were reminders.

Reminders of absence, silence... and the things I did not have.

But here...

He has turned the place where I bleed into something warm.

I turn toward him fully.

"Lioran," I whisper, and he steps closer, staring down at me with those bright, unguarded eyes.

"Several times I almost lost you once," he says quietly, before I can speak, and I pause.

His voice is not teasing now. He’s not playing around or teasing now. He means his words.

"I remember the night I thought you were dead," he continues, and I hold my breath.

"I remember what the world looked like without you in it. And I hated it." He adds sadly as his gaze drops, and my hands move to his waist instinctively.

"I didn’t think my life would look like this," he says, and I tilt my head as I look at him.

"If someone had told me I would be married, happy and expecting a child with the most infuriating man alive... I would have argued until my throat bled." He adds, giving me a knowing look, and a laugh escapes me as I raise a brow.

He smiles faintly in response.

"But I am. I am married. I am happy... And I am expecting a child with the man I love with all my being," he says, and I feel my eyes sting.

"I would not change it for anything." He adds, and my hands move from his waist to his cheek.

"You are my home, Elien. Not this lawn. Not the throne. Not the kingdom. You." He adds like a reverent prayer, and my vision blurs.

I hate crying. I despise it.

But something in me has grown softer over the years. Or perhaps it was always there, buried under resentment and survival.

"I promise to take care of you," Lioran continues.

"And our baby." He adds with an almost shy smile.

The words hang between us like star dust, and my heart quakes.

This man before me means more to me than my very life. He saved me. Nurtured me... gave me purpose. And even now, he is still extending my will to live and my desire to be better.

I exhale shakily as I stare at his delicate features.

"You think I need taking care of?" I ask, and he gives me a look.

"Yes," he replies immediately, and I scoff.

"You forget I’m a trained killer? I carry swords for leisure." I note, and he raises a brow.

"And I carry your child," he counters calmly.

That shuts me up.

I blink at him... and then at the gentle bulge he’s craddling beneath his palm.

The life growing in his stomach because of us.

Because he chose me.

...Because I chose him.

I drop to my knees before he can protest, but he still gasps.

"Elien—" He calls as he tries to move away, but my hands hold his waist, keeping him put.

I make sure to be careful... because right now, there’s never too much carefullness.

I press my forehead against his stomach and then kiss it.

Right over the curve.

A promise reignites itself in my heart. A vow.

"I will protect you," I whisper as I stare up at him.

"Both of you," I add as my hand travels freely over the swell of his stomach. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"And you," I add softly, looking into his eyes now.

"You stubborn, brave man... thank you," I whisper sincerely, and his brows crease.

"For what?" he whispers back, and I smile.

"For carrying my child," I note, and he pauses.

The words feel sacred... Because they are

"Thank you for choosing to carry our child... Despite being an Alpha. Thank you for trusting me with something this precious." I answer, and tears flood his eyes instantly.

"Elien..." He mumbles with his lips, starting to wobble.

I stand slowly and pull him into me, as he breaks.

He clings to me without hesitation, and I bury my face in his neck.

"I love you," I tell him quietly.

There’s no arrogance in my confession. No sarcasm or deflection.

Just truth.

"You are the first man I ever loved," I continue, and I hear his breath shudder.

"You’re the first person I allowed myself to soften for. And I will spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret that choice." I add, and he laughs shakily through tears.

"You’re terrifying when you’re sincere," he whispers, and I smile as I gently rub his back.

"Good," I reply, and he chuckles again.

We stand there for a while, lanterns flickering around us, as we feed the old training lawn new memories.

Finally, I guide him to sit on the cushions.

"You are not running anymore tonight," I inform him, and he pouts.

"I wasn’t running—"

"You were absolutely running." I cut him off, and he rolls his eyes.

He’s just like Elián. Hyper even in pregnancy.

We settle together, his back against my chest, and my hands resting over his stomach.

Our child shifts slightly beneath my palm, and we both freeze.

"There," Lioran breathes as he directs my hand.

I feel it again, and for a moment, the world stops.

I feel the faint flutter of our child, and my throat closes.

I press a kiss to Lioran’s shoulder, and he melts further into me.

"I will build them a world that does not break them," I promise, and Lioran looks up at me.

"You don’t have to build it alone," he whispers, and I smile at him.

"That’s right. I have an entire Ashfang army to help me with that..." I note, and Lioran grins.

I sigh as I let the significance of this moment sink in.

The feisty boy who once fought everyone and trusted no one is gone...

Or perhaps he is simply no longer alone. He’s surrounded by so much love, he no longer knows how to be negative.

Lantern light dances across the mounted weapons.

Andmy mind drifts slowly to Andover, all I had now... and how much I’ll give to protect them. My home... my family, my children... and my husbands.

For the first time in my life... I am not afraid of what tomorrow holds.

Because tomorrow holds him... our child, and our whole family.

And I will guard that with my life.