Helios

Prologue

The woman stood before the mirror, her gaze soft as she traced the curve of her growing belly with a tender hand. Her thoughts wandered to the future—picking out tiny clothes, decorating a nursery, imagining birthdays yet to come. The anticipation was overwhelming, and a small smile crept across her lips.

Behind her, a figure chuckled softly. He stepped closer, pressing gentle kisses to her cheeks, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine. "It's way too early to decide on a name," he murmured, his voice a soothing rumble that filled the quiet room.

She turned to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him into a deep kiss. Their bodies pressed together, the heat between them intensifying as he responded with fervor, his hands sliding down to grip her firmly. A soft moan escaped her lips as their passion ignited, but she pulled back, breathless and with a teasing smile.

"Can you at least give me a name suggestion?" she asked, her voice playful.

He rolled his eyes, clearly not ready to let go of the moment. "How about Elion? Like the sun?" she offered.

He seemed to consider it for a moment, but his expression soured, and he shook his head. With a sigh, he walked out onto the balcony, distancing himself from the conversation.

Leaning against the doorway, she watched him, understanding the reason for his reluctance. His childhood had been difficult, and any talk of children brought back painful memories. The day she had told him about the pregnancy, he had disappeared for days, and she had feared the worst—that he might abandon her.

She joined him on the balcony, resting her head against his arm as they looked out over the dark forest that stretched into the distance.

"I love you, Sunny," he said softly, his voice strained. "But I can't bear the thought of being a father. How could I know how to treat a child when I never got to be one myself?"

"You'll know," she reassured him gently. "Remember when little Bea got lost, and you brought her back to our house?"

He nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he recalled the memory. Little Bea had been lost in a crowded town square, her tiny voice drowned out by the festivities. He had taken her in, made her chocolate muffins from scratch, and listened to her talk about her dreams of becoming a strong fighter.

"You see?" she said softly, "You have it in you to love and nurture this child. He's yours."

They stood in silence, simply enjoying each other's presence, but the weight of unspoken words hung between them. She rested her head against his chest, wishing he could say the words she longed to hear, but they never came.

The quiet moment was shattered by a distant howl, followed by explosions that lit up the night sky. Flames erupted in the distance, and her heart raced as the forest seemed to come alive with chaos.

"Sunny, lock the doors and shut the windows. I need to help them," he growled, already moving toward the edge of the balcony.

She clutched her stomach protectively, fear gripping her as another explosion rocked the ground beneath them. "Please, I can still fight!" she cried out, desperation in her voice.

"No!" he barked, thrusting a dagger into her hand. "The child, you need to protect the child. I need to protect you! Please!" His voice cracked, his eyes filled with rare vulnerability.

She met his gaze, nodding as she kissed his forehead. "Come back safe," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

With a final glance, he leaped over the balcony railing, shifting mid-air into his other form, and disappeared into the night, leaving her alone with her thoughts and fears.