25. Tiamat

Chapter 25

Tiamat

-Six months later-

The morning sun spills through the curtains, casting a warm golden glow over the room as I lie awake in bed, my thoughts heavy with the weight of the news I received at my last doctor's appointment. I can still feel the chill of the sterile hospital room, hear the echo of the doctor's words ringing in my ears as she delivered the devastating verdict.

Infertile .

The word hangs heavy in the air, a crushing blow that threatens to suffocate me as I struggle to come to terms with its implications. How do I explain this to Knox, my beloved mate? The man who has stood by my side through every trial and tribulation, unwavering in his love and support?

The weight of the news settles heavily on my shoulders, a crushing burden that threatens to suffocate me. My reproductive system is extremely damaged. It would be a miracle if I ever conceived again . The words echo in my mind, each syllable a painful reminder of the dreams and hopes that have been shattered in an instant.

I sit alone in our bedroom, the soft glow of the morning sunlight filtering through the curtains, casting a warm golden hue over the room. The air is still, the only sound the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the bedside table. But inside, my heart is in turmoil, a tempest of emotions swirling beneath the surface.

Giselle's presence offered some solace during the last doctor's appointment, her unwavering support a beacon of light in the darkness that threatened to consume me. But even her comforting words couldn't dull the sharp sting of reality, the cold, hard truth that I am damaged and may never conceive again.

The memory of that last appointment with my mother and mother-in-law still haunts me. The shock and disbelief etched on our faces as the doctor delivered the devastating news. We sought refuge in the familiar comfort of the ice cream shop, the taste of sweetness a fleeting distraction from the bitter taste of despair that lingered in the air.

How do I tell Knox? How do I find the words to convey the depth of my pain, the emptiness that now lives within me? He deserves to know, deserves to understand the reality of our situation. But the thought of seeing the disappointment and sadness in his eyes is more than I can bear.

I close my eyes, willing the tears to stay at bay, but they come unbidden, hot and bitter against my cheeks. I feel like a failure, like I've let down the man I love more than life itself. How can I ever make this right? How can I ever hope to fill the void that now exists between us?

The sound of footsteps approaching pulls me from my thoughts, and I glance up to see Knox standing in the doorway, his eyes soft and filled with concern. My heart clenches at the sight of him, his presence a bittersweet reminder of everything I stand to lose.

"Tia, are you okay?" he asks, his voice gentle and filled with worry.

I swallow back the lump in my throat, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "I... I need to talk to you," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper.

Knox crosses the room in two quick strides, his hand finding mine and squeezing it gently. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together," he says, his words a silent promise of unwavering support.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what is coming. "I went to see the doctor yesterday," I begin, my voice trembling slightly. "And... and they told me that... that possibly I can't have anymore children."

The words hang heavy in the air, a palpable silence descending between us as Knox processes the magnitude of what I've just said. His eyes widen in shock, a myriad of emotions flickering across his face before settling into a mask of sadness.

"I'm so sorry, Tia," he says, his voice thick with emotion. "I can't even imagine how you must be feeling right now."

I feel a lump form in my throat, tears welling in my eyes as I meet his gaze. "I don't know what to do, Knox," I whisper, the weight of my despair threatening to crush me.

Knox pulls me into his arms, holding me close as I bury my face against his chest, seeking solace in the warmth of his embrace. "We'll figure this out together, Tia," he murmurs, his words a soothing balm to my wounded soul.

The weight of Knox's words hangs heavy in the air, his unwavering support a lifeline during my despair. How can he be so calm, so understanding faced with such devastating news? My heart aches with the fear of losing him, of him seeing me as less of a woman because I cannot give him the children he deserves.

But as I look into his eyes, I see nothing but love and compassion shining back at me, and a wave of gratitude washes over me. How did I get so lucky to have such a wonderful man by my side?

Tears blur my vision as Knox leans in to kiss my lips softly, his touch gentle and reassuring. In that moment, I feel a glimmer of hope flicker to life within me, a tiny spark amidst the darkness that threatens to consume me.

"We have three beautiful children," Knox says, his voice filled with warmth and sincerity. "Healthy and smart as hell. There's no way I could ever be mad at you, Tia. Oberon stole your ability to choose from you."

His words pierce through the fog of despair clouding my mind, offering a ray of hope amidst the darkness. Knox's unwavering faith in our love gives me the strength to face the uncertainty of the future, to believe that together, we can overcome any obstacle.

But even as his words offer solace, a part of me can't help but mourn the loss of the dreams we once shared, the family we had hoped to build together. The thought of never experiencing the joy of holding our own biological children in my arms is a bitter pill to swallow, a wound that cuts deep into my soul.

And yet, as Knox suggests the possibility of adoption, a new glimmer of hope ignites within me. The idea of expanding our family differently, of opening our hearts and our home to a child in need, fills me with a sense of purpose and excitement.

But even as I entertain the idea, a part of me hesitates, afraid to let go of the dream of having children of our own flesh and blood. Will I be able to love an adopted child as fiercely as I would my own? Will I ever be able to fully let go of the pain and disappointment that now weighs heavily on my heart?

But as I look into Knox's eyes, I see the answer shining back at me: love. Love that knows no bounds, that transcends blood ties and biological connections. Love that is unconditional and unwavering, a bond that can never be broken.

And in that moment, I realize that no matter what the future may hold, as long as we have each other, we'll build a family filled with love, laughter, and endless possibilities.

As Knox's arms envelop me in a comforting embrace, I feel a sense of safety wash over me, as if his presence alone has the power to chase away my fears and insecurities. His kisses rain down on my cheeks like gentle raindrops, each one a soothing balm to my wounded soul.

"Have you told Draven yet?" His whispered question hangs in the air, a reminder of the weight of the news I carry. I shake my head slightly, my heart heavy with the burden of what I must tell my other mate.

"Not yet," I murmur softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I wanted to talk to you first."

Resting my head against Knox's shoulder, I cling to him as if he is my anchor in a stormy sea. His muscular arms wrap around me, holding me close, and for a moment, I allow myself to surrender to the warmth and comfort of his embrace.

Together, we make our way down the hallway, the familiar sights, and sounds of the castle offering a sense of familiarity during uncertainty. Knox's reassuring words wash over me like a gentle breeze, soothing my frayed nerves and easing the knots of anxiety that have settled in the pit of my stomach.

As we approach Draven's office, I feel a knot form in the pit of my stomach, a sense of apprehension gnawing at the edges of my mind. How will he react to the news? Will he be angry, disappointed, or understanding?

But as Knox sets me down gently, his hand warm against the small of my back, I draw strength from his presence, knowing that no matter what happens, we will face it together.

With a deep breath, I push open the door to Draven's office, my heart pounding in my chest. Draven looks up from his desk, a warm smile spreading across his face as he sees us enter.

"Hey, you two," he says, his voice filled with warmth and affection. "What brings you here?"

I exchange a nervous glance with Knox before taking a deep breath and stepping forward. "Draven, there's something we need to talk to you about," I begin, my voice trembling slightly. "It's... it's about the doctors' appointments I've been having."

Draven's smile falters slightly, a flicker of concern crossing his features. "What's going on, Tia? Is everything okay?"

I swallow hard, my throat tight with emotion, as I struggle to find the words to explain. "I... I went to see the doctors because... because I've been having some... some health issues," I say haltingly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Knox reaches out, taking my hand in his, his touch a comforting anchor in the storm. "The doctors... they found out that... that I've been... I've been sterilized or at least damn close to it," I finally choke out, the words heavy with pain and sorrow.

Draven's eyes widen in shock, his expression a mixture of disbelief and anguish. "Oh, Tia," he murmurs softly, his voice filled with sympathy. "I'm so sorry."

Tears well up in my eyes as I look at my mate, my heart breaking at the thought of the pain I've caused him. "I... I don't know what to do, Draven," I admit, my voice trembling with emotion. "I feel like I've let you two down, like I've failed you as a mate."

But Draven shakes his head, his eyes filled with love and understanding. "You haven't failed me, Tia," he says firmly, his voice unwavering. "You could never fail me. We're in this together, no matter what."

His words wash over me like a soothing balm, easing the ache in my heart and filling me with a sense of hope and reassurance. In that moment, I realize that no matter what the future may hold, as long as we have each other, we'll overcome any obstacle together.

As I sink into the soft cushions of the couch, enveloped by the warmth and strength of my mates' arms, a sense of calm washes over me, soothing the turmoil that has been raging within me. Draven's embrace is like a safe harbor in the storm, his muscular arms wrapping around me, holding me close and offering me comfort and solace.

Knox's gentle hand's work wonders on my tired feet, his skilled fingers kneading away the tension and stress that has been weighing me down. The sensation of his touch sends waves of relaxation coursing through my body, melting away the knots of anxiety that has been plaguing me.

As I lean back against Draven's chest, his steady heartbeat a reassuring rhythm beneath my ear, I feel a sense of peace settle over me. For the first time in what feels like forever, I allow myself to simply be. It's nice to let go of the worries and fears that have been consuming me and just revel in the love and support of my mates.

The sound of my mother's voice interrupts the tranquility of the moment, and I look up to see her standing in the doorway, a soft smile playing on her lips. Her presence is like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds, bringing with it a sense of warmth and reassurance. "I'm taking the babies for the night," she announces, her voice gentle and soothing. "You three could use some time to yourselves."

I offer her a grateful smile, feeling a surge of gratitude for her unwavering support and understanding. "Thank you, Mom," I whisper, my voice filled with warmth and affection.

With a last smile, my mother disappears from view, leaving us alone once more. And as the door closes behind her, I find myself surrounded by the love and comfort of my mates, knowing that no matter what challenges may come our way, as long as we have each other, we can face anything together.

In the quiet of the evening, with the soft glow of the fire casting a warm, golden light around us, I allow myself to relax fully into the embrace of my mates, letting their love and support wash over me like a gentle tide, soothing my soul and filling me with a sense of peace and contentment.

As the night wears on and the hours slip away, we remain curled up together on the couch, lost in each other's arms, our bodies entwined in a tangle of limbs and hearts beating as one. And in that moment, surrounded by the warmth and love of my family, I know everything will be alright.