24. Knox

Chapter 24

Knox

After bathing Tiamat and settling her into bed, I can see the exhaustion etched into every line of her face. It's as though the weight of her absence has taken its toll on her, leaving her drained beyond measure. My heart aches at the sight of her, knowing that while she may physically be back with us, her mind and spirit are still grappling with the trauma of her experiences.

Draven curls around our mate, his arms enfolding her in a protective embrace as he holds her close. It's a sight that warms my heart, seeing the depth of his love and devotion for Tiamat shining through in every gesture and touch. I know that he'll do everything in his power to ease her pain and provide her with the comfort and support she needs.

As I watch them, a surge of emotion wells up inside me—love, concern, and a fierce determination to do whatever it takes to help our mate heal. But amidst the turmoil of my emotions, there's also a sense of restlessness gnawing at the edges of my consciousness. I can't shake the feeling that there's something more I need to do, someone I need to find.

With a silent resolve, I slip out of the room, careful not to disturb Tiamat or Draven as they rest. The dim light of the room casts long shadows across the floor as I make my way out into the hallway, my footsteps echoing softly against the polished wood.

My mind races as I navigate the familiar corridors of our home, my thoughts consumed by the need to find Tiamat's mother, Aurora. I know she holds the key to unlocking the secrets of Tiamat's past, the traumas she's been carrying with her for far too long.

As I reach Aurora's chambers, I hesitate for a moment, the weight of my mission pressing down upon me. But I steel myself with a deep breath and knock gently on the door, the sound echoing in the night's silence.

The door swings open to reveal Aurora, her face drawn with worry as she takes in my presence. "Knox, what brings you here at this hour?" she asks, her voice laced with concern.

"I need to talk to you, Aurora," I reply, my tone grave as I meet her gaze. "It's about Tiamat."

Aurora's expression softens with understanding, and she nods, inviting me into her chambers. As we settle into the quiet solitude of the room, I open up to her, sharing the depth of Tiamat's struggles and the urgency of her need for healing. "She's worried about her absence and how it will affect the babies." I glance down at the scotch that Alaric Tia's dad slips into my hand. "She remembers you leaving to go to war. She also remembers talking Ladon into sneaking away from their grandfather to find you."

Aurora listens intently, her eyes filled with empathy as she absorbs the weight of my words. It's clear that she shares my concern for Tiamat, her motherly instincts kicking into overdrive as she considers the best course of action. "I hoped they didn't remember that." She sighs and leans back against Alaric for comfort. "We were at war. It was a very dangerous time between the Strigoi and Vladimir still lurking around, causing problems." Aurora bites her bottom lip and looks up at Alaric.

"All we can do is help her understand that what she did had to be done. Her children are younger than she and Ladon were. With any luck, they won't remember most of it." He rests his head on top of Auroras. "Don't do like we did. We never talked about our time away. Unlike our battle, your children had both fathers with them, so that helps."

I ponder what they have told me, and I nod slowly. "So it's mostly Tia's guilt we have to deal with."

Together, we devise a plan to help Tiamat confront the repressed trauma of her past, to unearth the memories that have been buried deep within her psyche for so long. It won't be easy, and there are sure to be challenges along the way, but I know that with Aurora's guidance and support, we can help Tiamat find the healing she so desperately needs.

As the hours pass, we lose ourselves in conversation, discussing strategies and sharing stories of Tiamat's childhood. It's a bittersweet reminder of the bond that ties us all together, the love and loyalty that runs deep within our family.

Eventually, exhaustion weighs heavily on my shoulders, and I realize that it's time to return to Tiamat's side. With a heavy heart, I bid Aurora and Alaric farewell, grateful for her wisdom and guidance.

As I make my way back to our chambers, I can't shake the feeling of unease that lingers in the air. But amidst the uncertainty, there's also a glimmer of hope—a belief that together, we can help Tiamat find the healing she so desperately seeks. And with that thought in mind, I slip back into bed, wrapping my arms around my mate as I drift off to sleep, our dreams haunted by the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

-the next morning-

I revel in the sensation of Tiamat's warm breath against my chest, her touch sending shivers down my spine as she holds me close. The morning sunlight filters through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room and bathing us in its gentle warmth. It's a rare moment of tranquility amidst the chaos of our lives, and I savor every precious second of it.

As I lie there, wrapped in the embrace of my mate, I can't help but feel a surge of gratitude for the love and companionship she brings into my life. Tiamat is more than just my mate—she's my soulmate, my partner in every sense of the word. And in moments like these, when it's just the two of us against the world, I feel like the luckiest dragon alive.

But amidst the comfort of our shared intimacy, there's also a lingering sense of unease nagging at the edges of my consciousness. Tiamat's recent return from her harrowing journey has left its mark on all of us. I can't shake the feeling that there are still shadows lurking in the corners of her mind, waiting to be confronted.

With a soft sigh, I run my fingers through Tiamat's hair, gently coaxing her awake from her slumber. Her eyelids flutter open, revealing the depths of her stormy blue eyes as they meet mine. There's a vulnerability in her gaze, a silent plea for reassurance and understanding that tugs at my heartstrings.

"Good morning, my love," I murmur, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "How are you feeling today?"

Tiamat shifts slightly against me, her grip on my hand tightening as she snuggles closer. "Better," she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. "Being here with you helps."

I smile softly, my heart swelling with affection for this remarkable woman lying beside me. Despite the darkness that still lingers in her past, she remains resilient, determined to find solace and healing in the arms of those who love her.

"Whatever you need, I'm here for you," I assure her, my voice filled with sincerity. "We'll get through this together, I promise."

Tiamat nods, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips as she leans up to press a tender kiss against my cheek. "I love you, Knox," she whispers, her words a soothing balm to my soul.

"I love you too, Tia," I reply, my heart overflowing with love and gratitude for the woman lying beside me. In this moment, there's nowhere else I'd rather be than here, wrapped in the arms of my mate, as we face whatever challenges lie ahead together.

As we lie there, basking in the warmth of each other's embrace, I can't help but feel a sense of peace settle over me. Whatever the future may hold, as long as I have Tiamat by my side, I know we can overcome anything that comes our way.

The bed suddenly feels smaller than our three energetic hatchlings bound onto it, their giggles and laughter filling the room with a joyous cacophony. Melinoe, always the leader of the pack, takes the lead as she shifts back into her human form, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she launches herself onto her mother.

Tiamat laughs, her eyes alight with joy as she wraps her arms around our daughter, pulling her close. Melinoe tugs on her mother's hair and smiles at her. "What is it, sweetie?" she asks, her voice filled with warmth and affection.

Melinoe's little eyebrows furrow as she holds her little palm up. We watch her little palm intensely until the first plume of frost rose from her skin. She has her mother's ice abilities.

Tiamat's smile widens, her pride clear as she looks down at our daughter. "That's incredible, Melinoe!" she exclaims, her eyes shining with pride. "I can't wait to see it."

Meanwhile, Garyx and Orion, our mischievous sons, continue to bounce around the bed, their dragon forms slowly fading away as they revert to their human selves. Their laughter fills the air as they playfully wrestle with each other, their movements fluid and graceful.

Garyx's eyes twinkling with mischief as he pounces on Tiamat, burying her under a pile of blankets and pillows.

Tiamat lets out a mock gasp, her laughter ringing out as she playfully struggles beneath our son's weight. "Help me, Knox!" she calls out, her eyes dancing with mirth as she looks up at me.

I can't help but chuckle at the sight before me, my heart swelling with love and pride for my spirited family. Leaning down, I plant a kiss on Tiamat's forehead before joining in the fray, tickling our sons mercilessly as they squirm and giggle beneath my hands.

For a moment, all the worries and fears of the outside world fade away, replaced by the simple joy of being together as a family. In this moment, surrounded by the laughter and love of my mate and our hatchlings, I feel truly blessed beyond measure.

The warmth of Tia's lips lingers on mine even after she's left the room, her sweet scent still hanging in the air. I watch her go, a soft smile playing at the corners of my lips as I revel in the simple joy of having her back by my side.

"Morning, brother," I say, turning to face Draven as he stands at the doorway, his presence a comforting presence in the room.

"Morning, Knox," he replies, his voice warm and familiar as he crosses the room to stand beside me. Together, we watch as Tia slips out of bed, her movements graceful and effortless even in the early hours of the morning.

Draven's hand finds mine, his grip firm and reassuring as we shake hands. "It's good to have her back, isn't it?" he says, his voice soft with emotion.

I nod, a swell of gratitude rising in my chest as I think about everything we've been through together. "Yeah, it is," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, we stand in silence, lost in our own thoughts as we reflect on the journey that has brought us to this point. Despite the trials and tribulations we've faced, we've emerged stronger and closer than ever before, bound by a love that transcends time and space.

As we make our way to the kitchen to join Tia and the children for breakfast, I can't help but feel a sense of peace settle over me. Whatever challenges lie ahead, I know that as long as we have each other, we'll be able to face them head-on, united in our strength and determination to overcome whatever obstacles may come our way.