Mage Chronicles: The Journey.

A MOTHER'S PAIN.

"Mahina!"

"Mahi!"

"Oh fates, she's going to bring down the entire building."

The shouts jolt me to the present and I fall to the ground covering my ears as an eerie scream fills the air. My throat hurts and I'm dazed realizing the sound was coming from me.

I take a deep breath trying to wrestle my consciousness from the vestiges of the heart-breaking memory. Ignoring all the hands reaching out to help me up, I move to stand up before my legs give out and I'm back on the floor again.

This time Papa doesn't take no for an answer and he scoops me up from the floor and places me on my feet with his arms firmly wrapped around me.

I grab the handle and shove the door open letting go immediately before I could get sucked into another memory.

I take a step forward and the hands around me fall away. Moving into the room, the comforting scent of lavender wraps around me instantly putting me at peace.

There, lying on his side on my canopied bed is Blue; looking like he was just taking a nap. I move closer when a shimmery blue curtain of power falls around the bed blocking my approach. Frowning at the barrier, I ignore the subsequent warning calls and push through and I'm satisfied when there's no resistance.

"Well, that is... new and a relief," goes Khalil dryly and I almost smile.

"Figures that it would let her through," agrees Nona Ellie.

I glance at them in question but they're busy examining the barrier.

"After I placed, well Rhian placed Blue on the bed, the barrier fell into place and so far, I've been the only one to get through," Rhys supplies helpfully.

I nod in understanding and move closer to the bed kneeling next to it to stare at my baby.

"He has no heartbeat," I rasp, my voice grating on my throat.

"She killed him, my mother killed him so of course he doesn't have a heartbeat," I whisper to myself in answer and I hear a whimper from outside the barrier.

I stretch my trembling hands to clasp at his flinching at how cold they were. I wrap his tiny hands in mine rubbing them together to get them warm. Deep down I registered that it was a futile effort but I couldn't comprehend this fact.

"Why can't I get him warm?" I ask out loud voice displaying my rising hysteria, before I put a clamp on it.

I look at Blue's face again and the blankness threatens to break me.

You must be strong Mahi. He needs you to be strong.

I move to the bed settling in so I could cradle him to get him warmer and that's when I feel the ridges on his tiny back.

The tremors start again as I remember the reason he had those in the first place. This time the bed shakes with me.

"They crushed his wings and put him in a box...they..." I choke off a sob trying to remain strong as the events of that day unfold in my mind.

"They crushed his wings so we had to cut them out," I whisper swinging back and forth.

"They put him in a box," I whisper louder.

"THEY PUT HIM IN A BOX!" I cry out heart breaking all over again.

"Honey, do something," a voice pleads.

"I can't get to her, and the earthquake isn't helping either."

"Rhys, you try."

"What is he doing?"

I shut them out focusing on my baby's face that was now hazy through the tears flowing down my face.

"I'm so sorry baby, forgive me. I shouldn't have left you alone. I'm a terrible mother but I love you. Please wake up."

"Wake up baby! You can't be gone."

"Wake up Blue!" I cry out again still cradling him gently.

"You promised me cuddles."

"I need them now Blue, please open your eyes."

"You promised me cuddles, so wake up and deliver." I switch from pleading.

"You're so cold but I want them anyway."

"Mama wants your cuddles so please wake up."

I'm full on sobbing now while pleading with my baby. The tremors intensify until I feel a calming hand on my shoulder.

"Oisin..."

"Rhian?" I ask turning to look at him. How was he here?

"Scoot over, maybe we could both keep him warm," he says his voice heartbreakingly calm which brings on a fresh wave of tears.

"Really?" I ask hopefully and he nods with a smile moving to lie on the bed next to me.

"Come here little mate."

I move into his arms carefully holding Blue so as not to press on his back, "We'll get him warm then he'll wake up, right?" I ask once I'm settled.

"Mmh-hmm."

"I want to believe you, I need to believe you," I whisper voice trembling.

"We'll get him back, our baby is a fighter, I promise."

A sharp in-drawn breath sounds from outside the barrier and I lift my head staring at the rest of my family gathered in the room.

Mama was in Papa's arms sobbing and Khalil looked like he was talking down his mate from committing murder. Axel was sitting down at the edge of the barrier crying freely while blowing his nose and the rest of the guys were trying to clean up all the fallen things around the room though they kept falling back down with the tiny tremors still going on.

I didn't think earthquakes happened in Faery I muse falling back into Rhian's warm embrace.

"They don't," he answers close to my ear.

"You are doing this," he adds and I stiffen in his arms before he cradles me tighter.

"Maybe you should sing to him," he suggests after a long pause, "I'll help."

"I don't know any..." I'm cut off when he starts humming.

"No, not that, I can't do ..."

"Come on," he urges softly then goes on humming.

"Edelweiss..." I start my voice shaky.

"Edelweiss..." I choke on a whimper.

"Every morning you great me..." Rhian continues urging me to join him with pats on my back.

"Small...and...white, clean...and bright," I continue in tears.

"You look happy to meet me." Papa joins in from outside the barrier and I give up on singing sobbing into Rhian's chest.

"Blossoms of snow may you bloom and grow, bloom and grow forever," my entire family joins in.

When did they learn the song? I muse clutching Blue tighter as Rhian's warmth envelopes the both of us. The singing continues until my eyes get heavy before I finally give up the fight and fall asleep humming along to the song.