To Take What Is Rightfully Ours

Chapter 30. Preparing For The Inevitable

102 AC, Falley Hills

'I did it! Look!' Daemon exclaimed as quietly as he could, pointing his fingers at a three-year-old Diane who dozed off on his chest.

Iris, who had just walked into the room, smiled tiredly, 'My hero.'

Falley Hills was in the middle of the cold outbreak. Nothing serious but no one was getting much sleep in the last few days. Iris was helping Haisa to treat the villages and Daemon was tasked to look after Diane and Haisa's children because Haisa's husband disappeared somewhere as he always did and they hadn't seen him for more than a week. Daemon did a good job overall, and even though Haisa's house was a terrible mess, all the children were fed, washed, and put to bed.

'How is she?' Iris asked, coming closer to the bed and touching Diane's forehead to check her temperature. Their room in Haisa's house was small, but it was enough for the three of them.

'Better... I think,' Daemon said, then coughed a few times and sniffed.

Iris frowned and touched Daemon's forehead as well, 'And how are you?'

'Splendid,' another cough. 'Never better.'

Iris let out a laugh, 'Daemon, you have a raging fever.'

'No. No! It's just- um- really hot in the room, I'm alright, I'm-' Daemon wanted to say something else but he started coughing again and wasn't able to finish that sentence.

Iris carefully picked up Diane and put her in her bed so Daemon's coughing wouldn't disturb her sleep. When she made sure her daughter was comfortable, she turned to see Daemon making an attempt to stand up from the bed.

'And where are you going?' Iris asked with a small smile on her lips, witnessing how Daemon pushed himself into a sitting position but slightly overdid it and just fell back down on his other side.

'I promised Haisa I'll help her with- with- well, with something as soon as all the kids are down. I'm pretty sure she'll remind me,' Daemon grunted and finally pushed himself into a sitting position. 'See, I'm all good.'

'You haven't tried to stand up yet.'

Daemon glared at her, 'Whose side are you on?'

Iris laughed and came closer to the bed, 'There are no sides, my love. And I appreciate your willingness to help but you are ill and you need rest. Haisa will understand.'

'But I'm telling you, I'm alright!' Daemon stubbornly insisted, grabbing Iris' forearms. 'Plus I really need to do something that doesn't involve children,' he added, hiding his face into Iris' abdomen. 'I love Diane and Haisa's kids are fine but I'm losing my mind here,' he muttered into her dress.

Iris patted his hair with a smile, 'I can sit with the children tomorrow and you can go and- I don't know, take Caraxes for a flight if you are feeling up for it.'

'Sounds good,' Daemon coughed again and hugged Iris around the waist like people usually snuggle pillows.

'But right now you need to sleep.'

'But I'm not tired!' Daemon protested, even though his voice sounded rather sleepy.

'You still should get some sleep. You will feel better in the morning if you do.'

'I still don't want to,' Daemon whined and moved back a little to look up at Iris. 'I'll tell Caraxes you are bossing me around.'

Iris raised an eyebrow, 'You know you sound like Diane, right? But she is three, and what's your excuse?'

Daemon pouted. Iris rolled her eyes and said, 'Just trust me on this one. Go to sleep.'

'But-'

'No "but"s. That's an order,' Iris said, putting her hands on his face. 'Go to sleep, Daemon.'