Arcanum

Chapter 40: Aiyana

I sighed, watching the cloud float through the sky as I gazed out the window. It was hard to believe that a month ago I had married Prince Chayton. Not to mention it had been two months since I last saw Lucas. Everyday I stared out the window, hoping for him to show up, but it never happened. I was started to lose all hope in the guy, and I realized I wasn't the same brave girl anymore. Charlene and Kyrin tried to comfort me, but I just kept pushing them away. As far as I knew, now I was a broken, cold and depressed girl. Nothing of who I used to be.

"Hi honey." A voice interrupted my thoughts, and I looked to see Prince Chayton. The guy placed his hand on my large belly, "how's our daughter?" He asked,

"She's fine." I sighed, "why are you here?" I continued,

"My kingdom and your kingdom want us to continue to rule both, separately. You'll still be my wife, and I'll visit you and the baby every month or so." He explained to me, and I nodded. Honestly, I wasn't sad. I want to rule again, and be away from this jerk. Plus, I know Kyrin would be there to help me.

"Okay." I pretended to be sad, and I clutched the man's hand. He gave me a gentle kiss on the lips, and then rose to his feet,

"See you soon." He waved, and left the room. I stared down at my large stomach, and felt my baby kick against me.

"We'll be just fine without him, won't we?" I smiled and rubbed my stomach. When I looked up, I noticed a familiar bay horse approaching my house, with someone on his back. The black hair and wolf ears made me realize it was Kenji. The guy got off the horse, but when he brushed the hair out of his eyes, I noticed his eyes weren't yellow. They were red.

"Lucas?" I gasped as I looked at the boy. I ran to the door, and pulled it open, staring at the man in front of me. It defiantly was him.

"Hey princess." He smiled, and I leaped into his arms, burying my face in the crook of his neck. I took in his familiar scent, and held the guy tighter, never wanting to let go.

"Where did you go?" I whispered,

"I went to find something to turn me into a Catori. Aiyana, I want to be with you." We pulled away, and I smiled,

"That's so sweet." I giggled, and Lucas froze when he saw my large stomach.

"You-you're..." He couldn't say it,

"I'm pregnant." I finished his sentence, and Lucas placed his hands on my belly,

"Is it mine?" He asked, hope in his eyes,

"Lucas, I married the Prince. And this baby...it's his." I suddenly broke down into tears, and Lucas wrapped my up in his arms,

"What's wrong?" He asked, but I could tell he was breaking from the news,

"I don't want this baby. I'm sure she's going to be beautiful, but it's the Prince's, and I don't love him." Lucas rubbed my back, "Also, I'm only eighteen. I can't have a child this early, I'm not ready and this isn't right.". The black haired guy placed his hands on my shoulders,

"Aiyana, I promise I'll be with you the whole time. You can have that baby, and if you don't want it, I'm sure a family in this village would love to take her as their own. If you decide you want her, we will look after her. Together." He kissed my forehead, and I tugged on his hand,

"Will you rest with me?" I asked, and the guy squeezed my hand,

"Of course, let's go." The two of us walked into my room, and I crawled into bed, and curled into his chest. Lucas ran his hand down my back, and placed his chin on my head.

"Lucas?"

"Yeah?" The guy pulled away, and looked at me. I smashed my lips against his, and cuddled closer to him. Lucas kissed me back, with a kiss that showed he missed me.

"I love you." I whispered to him, and cuddled back into his chest. I heard the sound of weapons clashing outside, and Lucas and I leaped to our feet. The guy stopped me from following him,

"Aiyana, you have to stay here." He told me, and I grabbed his face and pulled him in for a long kiss,

"Be careful." I hugged the guy, and then watched him leave, feeling tears falling down my face. As he left, I felt a sudden horrible pain in my stomach, and I collapsed to the ground.

"Aiyana!" Charlene came rushing in,

"I think I'm having my baby." I breathed, and then screamed out in pain. Charlene helped me onto the bed, and I saw Kenji appear,

"Hey, what's happening?" He asked, obviously hearing my scream,

"Aiyana's having her baby. Can you get the healer?" She asked, and Kenji nodded, coming back minutes later with the healer.

---

"Aiyana." I heard a gentle voice, and when I looked up, my eyes met with Lucas's. I was exhausted after having my daughter. The guy clutched his hand in mine, "how long have you been pregnant?" He suddenly asked,

"Two months. But Catori are a lot different than humans. They can have a baby as early as one month. Sometimes, it takes ten months." I explained, and then took a deep breath, before speaking again, "I gave Kimani to another family. They have one child, and always wanted another."

"What about the Prince? Don't you need to have a heir?" Lucas asked me, and I sighed,

"I've decided I'm divorcing him. And I've also decided I'm not ready to have another heir. Maybe in a few years though." I smiled at Lucas, and the guy smiled back, "How was the battle?"

"We managed to fight them off, but everyone suspects they'll be returning soon."

"Lucas, do you think you'd be able to help me to the hot springs? I need to heal as fast as possible." I weakly got to my feet, and the guy pulled me into his arms,

"Is it okay if I carry you?" He grinned,

"Yeah." I giggled.