3. Awakening

After that night Reena couldn’t get out of bed. It was like someone was sitting on her chest at all times. Noy tried her best to help Reena, but she didn’t respond to anything, no words reach her mind anymore. Reena just stared at the ceiling she couldn’t think of anything or anyone. She was hiding her hurt, the pain even her tears that were streaming down her face almost every day. She was rapidly losing weight as she couldn’t eat a single bite since her soul ached so badly, she thought to herself “This must be the feeling when someone rips out your guts.” Loneliness consumed her soul and fear embraced her from every corner she was in constant pain.

One morning Noy stormed into Reena’s room with a letter in her hand and she was mortified when I saw her lady… covered in puke she collapsed on the floor just few steps away from her bed. She threw the letter on the dresser and checked Reena’s pulse. It was a faint pulse but that made Noy sigh in relief she put Reena on her bed tucked her in and rushed to call a physician. 

After the physician checked Reena out thoroughly, he gestured towards Noy and they closed the door carefully behind them “She is pregnant, and very weak, you said she hasn’t been eating well which helped me to get to the conclusion that her highness is malnourished. I gave her an injection that should help strengthen her but given she is expecting she will have to take care of herself and the baby.” Noy nodded and thanked the doctor for everything. She walked in the room again looked at the letter on the dresser, she was staring at it intently, when is dawned on her “I should try it we have nothing to lose.” She whispered and pocketed the letter. She took her seat next to Reena and held her hand, waiting for her to wake up.

Reena’s eyes popped open drenched in sweat; she bolted upright in her bed after seeing the horrifying nightmare. It wasn’t far from what she had seen earlier when she went to see her parents. She stared in blank space and no longer wanted to lay down, in fear that she will see it again. She looked at Noy who nodded off next to her in a chair, her loyal handmaiden never left her side. 

She got up and tiptoed into the bathroom where she washed her face in cold water, she looked up water trickling down her face and thought. “No wonder Noy is worried I look like a walking corpse.” she felt around her face then swiftly touched her belly. “I came this far and I am with child right now, but was it worth it? Even if my parents are not dead, they have basically become soulless imitation of themselves from the amount of torture and the research that was done on them. I shouldn’t give up, I can still start over, maybe after the child is born, I can escape, or would it be easier to escape now?” Her mind was racing, she was playing different scenarios in her head, she walked out of the bathroom and stared at Noy. “I need to take her with me, God knows what they will do to her if I were to disappear.”

 She was standing there for a while then she quickly put her robe on, unhooked her lantern and lit it before she made her way out of the room without a sound. She remembered the way to her parents’ room, the quarters built for the researchers, was the exact same place where they were. She finally arrived after a little while and opened the door, Morag and Leena were embracing each other while their slept on the floor. It was like they had a moment of sanity in the chaos. Reena put the lantern down and squatted by the glass divider and knocked. “Mom? Dad? Please wake up, I need to talk to you both if you are able this time.” They didn’t hear her, so she knocked again a little louder.

Morag was startled awake he opened his eyes and sat up, tears formed in his eyes “Reena you’re here! How are you? Haven’t seen you in years.” Reena’s eyes widened as she thought “Years? I visited around a month ago… They probably have no idea at this point whats going on.” Leena reached out and she gestured Reena to come closer. She started caressing the glass as if it was Reena’s hair. Reena gave them a painful smile and rested her head on her knees, trying to hold back the tears. She collected herself and said “Mom? Dad? I think it’s time for us to leave.” Her parents stared at her blankly, “What you mean sweetheart? Where would you want to go? Do you not like Gour?” It dawned on her that her parents have absolutely no idea about the situation, nor about where they are. She pushed her hand towards the glass where her mom’s hand was and sobbed. “I will come back another day. Good night, I love you both.” Morag and Leena were puzzled at first, but they gave their daughter a gentle smile and waved her off. 

Noy was awakened by the sun glimpsing through the curtains, she looked around and noticed Reena passed out on her dresser she got up and rushed towards her. She checked her forehead, it was normal she didn’t have a fever, she checked her pulse, it was slow but better than the other night when she found her mistress passed out in her vomit. Noy took a deep breath and gently shook Reena awake.

She blinked a couple of times to adjust her eyes for the morning light and to clear her blurry vision and then she noticed… a letter peaking from Noy’s pocket. She grabbed it and gave Noy a glare “when did you get this?” Noy was nervous “I’m sorry My Lady, but the night you passed put I must’ve forgotten about it I wanted to give it to you after you awakened and and something, you’re really weak, I wanted to use this as a motivation for you to get better.” Reena jumped up from her seat. “It’s fine, I know your heart was in the right place, but never again hide her letter from me again.” Noy bowed and apologised a few more times than giving her Lady space she hurried in the bathroom and started preparing Reena’s bath just like every morning.

——

My beloved Reena, 

Falling in love with you has been the best thing that have happened to me. I still wonder how such a radiant, loving woman chose me to open her heart to. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I have been captivated by an infatuation that only deepens as the time goes by. Whenever I saw your smile, my heart fluttered, oh how I wish I could see it again, even if it’s for a short time. I want to hold you in my arms and never let go, I wish I could’ve stop time when we spent our last night together, before Loch took you away from me. 

You rushed towards my residence and climb through my window; I remember being a bit startled at first but then I realised it was not an intruder but you. I wanted to play a joke on you by pretending I was asleep. You snuggled up to me and whispered. “Khanna, are you awake?” Your voice sounded so sad I immediately felt the need to cheer you up. I didn’t move trying to continue with my pretend sleep when you wriggled even closer to me. Your breast pressing against my back so hard I could barely control myself; I wanted you even more when you climbed on top of me to make sure I will wake up. I was at my limit so I just wrapped my arms around you twisted around so you will completely face me.

Your eyes were red probably from crying but you couldn’t say anything, and you didn’t have to. One glance at your beautiful face and I knew what is going to happen. Hypothetically we prepared for this, but I never knew the time will come so soon. We hugged each other so tightly it was hard to breathe, I kissed your brow, forehead, your beautiful nose, the corner of your mouth when I lingered a little, you looked me in the eyes so deeply I thought you are going to devour my soul. You closed the small distance between our lips and caressed my cheek. Your lips gently pressed against mine when I opened my mouth to deepen the kiss, our tongues intertwined. The antagonising pleasure almost made me lightheaded. This wasn’t our first kiss, but probably my favourite one of many. We closed the door on the reality we have to face in the morning and just let loose for the night. Your voice trembles as we are craving more and more of each other, our hearts were racing I couldn’t tell if your or mine was beating faster, but it didn’t matter. 

I propped myself up and gently switched positions, you loved me on top, and I loved how helpless you get when I slowly explored your body you never let my hand go, as if you were scared that if you let go it will be all over. I reached to your favourite spot; I knew when I entered you that we will be high as wind in our forests hollow. My fingers were whispering sounds as you tried to control your screams, which that getting louder and louder by the second. Honey flowed from your beautiful spot, and I tasted you as my fingers were doing overtime. You let my hand go to touch your breast, but my childish mind could not let you play with them alone, so I slipped my now free hand on your breast and gave I started kneading one after another.

Your thin nightgown slipped up to your neck, but you couldn’t care less. I still hesitated a bit and asked if you were okay, and when you said yes, I stopped for a second to help you out of that nuisance of a nightgown, I did the same and now we had a clear view of each other. I kissed your lips nibbled on your neck as you were grinding against my thigh. I chuckled and looked at you when your large eyes found mine and you mouthed ‘hurry’ with those plump lips. You are making me lose my mind with the simplest things Reena.

The atmosphere was so hot we both started sweating, making you taste even better. Your moans were making me more and more eager for you. The soft blush on your glistening face and your beautiful chest with perked-up nipples was just something I wanted to stare at day and night. After the minute break, you became more collected, but it was not the time to rest. I quickly slid down and wrapped my arms around your thighs, pressing your legs down and restricting from movement, you were at my mercy. I lost access to you with my fingers, but this position gave me a better angle to continue with my tongue.

“Khanna… ah,” you clenched your hand in a fist and bit on it, thinking this would help from crying out. You threw your head back and propped yourself up a bit. You were close. I ran the flat of my tongue faster up your slit, giving your clitoris a short suck before starting over again. Your fingers had latched onto my hair, nails digging into my scalp ever so slightly. Your eyes were closed, and you were desperately trying to hide your sweet moans with your other hand over your mouth. With this image in mind, I stiffened my tongue, prodding at your soft spot and relishing in the high-pitched squeak I heard from below before moving on to flick it with my tongue. “Don’t stop,” you panted, moving your hand to the side to speak. “Please, I’m so close...” 

A wail fell from your lips when I started kissing down on you agin and again, harder and harder. You grabbed my sheets and subconsciously thrusted your hips rhythmically with my circles. Giving my tongue a break, I let you go and quickly carried on with my fingers. You were so wet I managed to slip in three fingers, and you screamed out, I smirked and teased you a little bit slowing down my pace.

 “You’re being such a good girl for me, aren’t you?” I whispered in your ears, “Don’t go shy on me now,” I huffed, dropping to suckle at your neck again, I sped my fingers up and with my thumb I teased your clitoris until you came in my hand. You screamed and panted. The most magnificent sight I ever laid my eyes on, but there was no time to rest since you were desperate to return the favour.

You pushed me down and sat on me, sizing me up, I always wondered what you were thinking in these moments. My face flushed as you started kissing me between my breast and down to my stomach. Meanwhile, you arched your back so I could simultaneously see your beautiful bottom and front. 

If I knew this was our last night together, I would’ve savoured ever moment and inch of you.maybe I could’ve hide you away as well, though it’s probably for the best I didn’t. Gour was allowed to live on and exist because of you and your family’s sacrifice. I hope this letter find you well.

Your loving Khanna

——

Reena was worked up by only reading Khanna’s passionate words. “Noy” she shouted, “I will take my bath alone today” Noy was surprised but didn’t want to argue with Reena, so she nodded and waited outside until Reena was finished. 

Reena hopped in the bath and stared into space. “I need to get stronger in accordance to get away, but if I take too long, I might give birth before an actual plan is put in place.” She bit her nails, keep thinking and reevaluating the situation, “I need Khanna’s and Noy’s help… I need to get my parents out as well, my magic hasn’t been awakened yet since my mother is alive, and it seems like they haven’t got a grasp on how this actually works with the Iridiums. All they know is that we can perform prodigious things.”

——

There are different definitions of the Iridium magic, there is one called natural magic, which means the use of the occult properties of nature such as precious stones, herbs, elements. For example: Even a common men could use herbs for healing but if Iridium powers get in the mix, the healing was faster. Healing, protection, conjuration, divination, enchantment… These listed could be used in a positive or a negative way, it depends on the influences and surroundings. For the sake of Gour’s peace Morag made a misstep and sold his family to the Eugolian Royalties, but he didn’t understand what this will entail. 

Eugola had access for the finest medical research tools and the greatest minds. They wanted to unlock the secret what made the Iridiums these magical creatures, they did not believe that they were just born this way, they thought it might be a mutation in their brain… They thought if they will find an indicator confirming that they are just humans with an added capacity they wanted to unlock this hidden capacity for themselves, then they would’ve had the power, money to be omnipotent and rule over the Eugolian continent. Everyone to the Loch family and they could just rule comfortably.

Little did they know the answer wasn’t that simple. The blessing as the Iridium called it was passed down from generation to generations women usually inherited the powers from their mother’s side and men from their father’s side. There were few instances, where the parents passed before fully preparing the new vessels mentally and physically, in this case the vessel itself had to unlock by itself every corner and hidden secrets of the power. 

There are some Iridiums that were eliminated simply because they misused their power for evil. There was one goddess called Serena that was the first one who misused her magic and since she used it to kill hundreds and thousands of mortals, she was killed by the other goddesses possessing the blessings. No one knew Serena’s motive or where her body was buried in secrecy.