To Kiss a King 2

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Fiora cringed as she heard Raphael’s quickening loud and purposeful foot steps pounding in the hallway.

She stared at herself in the beautiful vanity that was once Raphael’s mothers. Ever so slowly she brushed our her long chestnut tress of hair. 

“Fiora?!” His voice was pained as he threw open the door to their bedroom. 

“Yes darling, I’m in here.” She swallowed heavily trying to keep her voice as calm as possible. 

He was upon her in an instant spinning her small form around to face him. 

“What happened this afternoon?!” 

Fiora avoided his deep eyes and shrugged. “Well, I spent the day shopping with Nora and Erickson...I didn’t know I needed permission to-”

“That’s not what I’m talking about Fiora, look at me.” He put a thumb gently under her chin and tilted it upwards forcing their eyes to meet. 

“Tell me the truth.” He urged her. 

“I..I don’t know what happened. I got a bought of dizziness and well...I fainted.” Her eyes began to swell with tears and she shook her head slightly to dispel them. 

“Why am I the last to know?” The question was so deep, so hurt. 

“I...I..” Fiora stumbled, feeling more tears threatening to overflow. 

Raphael’s brow knitted together in concern noticing the tears and his strong hand came up gently to cup the side of her face.

“Fiora?” He breathed.

“I...think I might be...pregnant.” She had seen the symptoms around her home town often enough. The serve moods, her current aversion to any cheese smell, and the new bought of nausea come morning. 

Raphael’s mouth fell open, and his eyes took on a glassy effect. He was somewhere else, registering, or panicking. 

Fiora bit her bottom lip and looked down instantly, fearing a look of disappointment that could gleam in his eyes.

“You’re pregnant...” He spoke so softly she almost didn’t catch it. 

“Fiora’s pregnant.” 

“My wife is pregnant!” His voice grew and suddenly he was laughing, grasping both sides of her face. 

She looked up into his eyes, seeing excitement, pride, joy, and most of all love all muddle together. All she could do was nod in confirmation. 

“We’re going to have a child!” He laughed as his own tears spilled down his handsome face. 

Fiora let out a small laugh as more tears spilled. How frantic they were, both insane with love for each other, laughing and crying at the prospect of bringing another life into the world. 

A life that would be of their creation, a symbol of their love for each other. 

They stood grasping each other, exchanging tender kisses on and off until they both collapsed onto their bed. 

That night Raphael held her in his strong arms, nestled in her hair until they both fell asleep, happy and hopeful. 

And when morning came...Fiora screamed. 

Blood soaked their silken white sheets.