#listen. he fell in a cage as a child that doesn't count...

[martyrbat]

batman: journey into knight #3

[ID: two narration boxes by Bruce Wayne. Together they read: ‘Few people like bats. I'm in that minority. Most people hate or fear them. Me, I'm usually thankful they're around.’ END ID]

[alexhogh7137]

The Battle Between Love and Fire-

Ivar the Boneless × Reader

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Y/n's Vision and The Lakebed

Word Count 3.6k

Warnings: mentions of blood, mentions of death, angst, fluff at the end

When Ivar awakes, he finds you sitting by the edge of the bed with your feet dangling off the bed. Little did he know that you just had the worst dream that you have ever experienced. 

Ivar "Sweetheart what is it?"

"Oh, I am sorry..did I wake you?" When you turn to face him, your eyes are so swollen from sobbing that they are almost swollen shut and your face is drenched with your tears. Ivar is so shocked by the look of you that he calls for Hvitserk immediately. You try to hush him and say that it was not necessary but he knew that whatever you just went through in your dream, that you needed the both of them to get through it.

"Ivar seriously, it was just a horrible dream."

Ivar "I have never seen you this shaken before Y/n, let me help you."

"I don't know if I-" before you could continue your sentence, Hvitserk flings the door open. 

Hvitserk "What is it?!" He has his dagger in his hand, ready to attack anyone who was in the room if he needed too. 

Ivar "No one is in here Hvitserk.." when he tries to comprehend why he was called in the room, he looks at you and knows instantly. 

Hvitserk "Y/n?"

"Hey Hvitty.." you force a laugh as you wipe a tear that fell from your right eye. He puts his dagger back in his hip pocket and ran to your side of the bed. 

Hvitserk "What happened?"

"Just a horrible dream."

Ivar "You have had bad dreams in the past, my love. This is different."

"I know Ivar, I am just trying to forget about it that's all.."

Hvitserk "You don't have to tell us until you are ready okay? I won't force you."

Ivar "The sooner you get it out of your head and off of your chest, the better you will feel princess."

Hvitserk snickers, "I must say, my brother is right. I can tell whatever happened, made you scared..but you are here okay? Ivar is here and I am here. We will get through that nightmare together. You aren't alone."

You choke up once again, "Yeah, not anymore." You let your emotions take a hold of you and Hvitserk just pulls you into his chest and holds you as you ride it out. Ivar watches you whimper with immense concern. What could have happened in that dream of yours that has you so broken? All you can think about, all you can see is your nightmare replaying over and over in your mind. It felt so real and so vivid that it felt more real than life. That is why you cannot take control of yourself as of right now. You know that it will pass but right now, you just need to be held. 

After what feels like forever, you lift yourself up from Hvitserk's lap and look at Ivar in the eyes.

"I saw you. I saw all of you."

Ivar "You saw us what?"

"Massacred." They look at each other for a moment and you can see their breathing increase. "I-it was dark and everything was on fire. I don't know how it started or why everything was on fire but it was. I ran and ran until I found White Hair. I asked him where you were but he would not answer me so I took off running again. That's when I found your bodies. You three were together like it was meant for me to see. I fell to my knees and wept for what felt like years until I felt a blade pierce through my ribcage."

Hvitserk "Gods-"

"When I looked behind me I saw my father. He got down and sat down in front of me..just watched me fight to breathe with a smile on his face." Hvitserk's jaw is clenched and Ivar looks like he is going to blow up if you said another word. "Then he got i-in my face and pierced his dagger into my chest over and over again! I-I tried to stop him but I was too weak to fight him off."

Ivar "Y/n.."

"Then he spoke.."

Hvitserk "What did he say?"

"I told you, dumb girl...you can never defeat me." When you said those words, Ivar got out of bed. "Ivar, stay."

Ivar "I will not. That was not a dream Y/n..that was a vision sent to you by the Gods. I will not stay in bed when that monster in the cage is ravaging a plan to kill us all."

Hvitserk "What do you want me to do Ivar?"

Ivar "Stay here with Y/n. Don't let her out of your sight until I say too."

"Ivar you are scaring me-" he crawls his way over to you and kisses every inch of your face before looking at you intensely.

Ivar "Everything is fine my love. I promise that I would not do anything that would put myself or my men in danger. But I will not allow that man to even think about doing anything to my family." He kisses your head, then uses his crutch to lift himself up and walk out the door. Hvitserk breathes out deeply, like he took a breath so large that it took up all of the air in the room. 

"Do you believe him?"

Hvitserk "On which part?" He chuckles.

"Any of it. About it being a vision-"

Hvitserk "Yes, I think that as well. It was too vivid to only be a nightmare. Dreams..you can tell that it is a dream."

"Right."

Hvitserk "But you couldn't tell what was real and what was not..making it a vision." You slowly nod and place your head in your hands, "But we will all take care of your father before that vision becomes  our realities."

"Yeah, okay yes.."

Hvitserk "I'm not going to let anything happen to you or the baby, do you understand me? You two are my life..I'm not letting anyone or anything take you away from me." 

"I can't lose you either Hvitserk..I can't lose any of you. When I came here, I gained more than just a kingdom, I gained a family, friendship, a marriage...and I am with our child. So please don't do anything that could get yourself killed. I don't know what I'd do if-" he leans down and kisses you to stop you from talking. 

Hvitserk pulls back, "I won't, I swear to you that I won't. But I will keep you and my child safe. I swore that on my armring the day I found out that you were pregnant."

"I know that, I know." He kisses you again and then lifts you off the bed and places you down in front of the mirror. 

Hvitserk "Now, I am going to help you get dressed and then how about we go riding, hmm?"

"Riding..?"

Hvitserk "Mhm."

"Where would we go?"

Hvitserk "Does it matter?"

"..No. No it doesn't." He kisses your cheek and then walks over to your dresser and pulls out a few of your dresses for you to pick. You would have no reason to live if it wasn't for Ivar and Hvitserk. They are your world and you are theirs. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Ivar opens up Ubbe and Torvi's chamber doors, Ubbe awakes instantly. Alerting Torvi so badly that she jolts so badly that the whole bed shakes. 

Ubbe "Ivar?"

Ivar "Y/n had a vision..he dies today."

Ubbe "What kind of vision."

Ivar "We all die, including Y/n and most of our village."

Torvi "And you are certain that he is the cause of this?"

Ivar "Torvi.." he takes a step into the room and slams his crutch on the floor sternly, "my wife has been crying so hysterically that her eyes are almost swollen shut. When I woke up, she was hunched over on the side of our bed, trembling like she was having a seizure-"

Ubbe "Oh my gods-"

Ivar "She could barely tell us the whole vision because it was too hard for her to speak about. She described in detail, the feeling of the dagger in her chest-the dagger that her father pierced into her ribcage over and over again!"

Ubbe "Ivar.."

Ivar "He bent down to her as she took her last breath and said 'you can never defeat me.' So yes Torvi, I am certain that he is the cause of our demise. So I will tell you both again, he dies today." Ubbe gets out of bed and walks over to put his hand on his brother's shoulder.

Ubbe "He will, we will make sure of it. I am with you brother."

Ivar takes a deep breath as a sigh of relief, "Good..uh good thank you." Ubbe nods and then gets dressed for what is going to be a long and eventful day. Torvi stays put and makes sure that her children are safe. Once Ubbe is suited up, him and Ivar leave the room and out they went. 

Not only do they have to make sure that your father see's his end day, but he has to get Rollo out of his kingdom. Ubbe opens up the door and finds Rollo talking to none other than Ivar's personal guard: White Hair.

Ivar "Oh what could you two possibly be talking about huh?"

White Hair "We weren't talking, Rollo was talking towards me, my king."

Ivar "Is that right?"

White Hair "Yes, my king."

Ubbe "Shouldn't you be leaving Rollo?"

Rollo "Ah yes of course. I just wanted to say goodbye to my nephews and the queen of course."

Ivar "I will say her goodbyes for her...goodbye!" He shouts and waves his hand in his uncle's face to annoy him. Rollo bursts out laughing like it didn't faze him. "Leave Rollo. You are no longer needed here in Kattegat."

Rollo "Are you trying to get rid of your old uncle?"

Ubbe "It's not obvious?"

Rollo snickers, "Alright. Farewell boys. Oh before I go, don't think that you won't be hearing from me about getting paid for my aid in battle, dear Ivar." He whispered in Ivar's ear but loud enough for Ubbe to hear. Ivar just pushes his way through his uncle and heads towards the cell doors that holds your father. Ubbe walks up to White Hair and gets into his face.

Ubbe "Were you plotting against my brother, hmm?"

White Hair "No, of course not. He was trying to get me to side with him..but I just listened."

Ubbe "If you ever try to harm my brother or his wife, I will see to it that you wikl die before you even get the chance. You may be bigger than me, but I am smarter."

White Hair snickers, "Yes..yes my prince."

Ubbe "Good. Now follow me to the cell."

…

When he opens up the doors, White Hair is close behind. To much of Ivar's relief, the old man is still inside: cuffed, chained and gagged. There is a puddle of blood below him and his wounds are starting to form crystals from the cold. 

Ivar "Wake up, old man!" He jolts up and immediately winces out in pain from being chained all night and his wounds that stung as he moved. Ivar grabs the man by his hair and pulls his head back so that he looks into Ivar's eyes. "I said, WAKE UP!" his eyes open wide and fully as he looks deeply into Ivar's blue eyes.

Ubbe "Thinking about anything lately?"

The man chuckles and chokes on his blood but does not answer Ubbe so Ivar rips the gag out of his mouth and forces him to answer his brother.

"My mind is always thinking."

Ivar "Mm, maybe I should put your mind to rest. How does that sound?"

"Do you really think you can kill me, Ivar the Boneless?" Ivar is taken aback by that statement. He has never been asked that question before. 

Ivar "I won't just kill you you see, I will crucify you." He hissed. He knows that your father is a Christian and he would love for his God to see his precious child die. 

He chuckles, "I have heard that one before.."

Ubbe "That might be true but we will make certain that you join your precious god by nightfall." The old man does not respond, he only fights to breathe. 

Ivar "Yeah, you feel the pain? The sharp pain from your wounds, how every time you breathe in and out..it burns like hot coals? Can you feel this freezing air burn yo-"

"Enough!" He shouted and then he whimpered. All Ivar had to do was look at Ubbe and Ubbe gave the old man a fresh wound for shouting at the king. 

Ivar "hush, hushh-" before Ivar could continue, the door opened and in comes his wife.

Ivar does not know what to say nor do because he was not expecting to see you come through that door. White Hair looks at Ivar for a command but he was never given one. Soon after your entrance, comes Hvitserk with an ax in his hand in case your father attempted anything. 

Ubbe "Y/n-"

"Hello brother." He was going to object to you being in this cell but he soon turned soft when he heard you call him your brother. You walk up to him for him to kiss your cheek to which he does. Then, you walk up to your beloved and kiss him right in front of your father. 

Ivar "My sweet, you shouldn't be in here."

"Oh I won't be long, my love. Hvitserk and I are about to go for a walk."

Ivar "Is that so?" Hvitserk nods, "very good."

"Y/n-" he attempted to speak but you do not allow it."

"No, I am here to talk. You will only listen, nod if you understand." He huffs but eventually nods. "You are here because you do not deserve to be king of Wessex..you never did. You are a malicious and ruthless king..and an even worse father. I will not allow you to continue. My husband and I will not allow you to ruin, kill or plan to kill anyone else. I will put an end to you and that is a promise that I will keep. I will not shed a single tear when I see you take your last breath..nor will I weep or mourn you. Because you never mourned my mother." Hvitserk holds in his tear that is trying to slip off of his eye by clearing his throat and puffing his chest. "I hope you know that with everything you've done to me, everything you put me through, I am a stronger and kind queen. I am loved by my people, by my husband's people..unlike you. When I met Ivar you see, I almost didn't believe that a man could be different than you, but he proved me wrong. My husband is loving and caring..honest and loyal. He keeps me safe and makes sure that I am happy and my daughter is cared for even though she is still growing-" Ivar smiles, "My point is, my husband treats me the way mother should have been treated by you. I hope that you let my words sink into your pathetic brain before you join your god."

"Y/n.."

Hvitserk "Time to go princess.." you nod and kiss Ivar before leaving the cell and closing the door behind you. Ivar is lost for words. He can't put into words how proud he is of you and how lucky he feels to be your husband and king. 

Ubbe clears his throat, "You never deserved to call yourself the father of that incredible woman." The man whimpers and cries but Ivar does not believe it for a second. He doesn't feel anything but hate and rage for him. 

Ivar "Let my wife's words sink in. I'll leave you..but not for long. Oh-" he stops by the doorway, "if I were you, I would start praying." He evily laughed as he shut the door behind him and Ubbe. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When you got into that cell, flashbacks of when you were thrown in there when you first arrived here in Kattegat came rushing back. How scared you were and how tiny your dragons were at that time. Then you realized how much time has passed, how much has changed and how happy you are here in Kattegat. So when you saw your father, you let your hatred take control and it felt so good to speak what has been on your mind for years and years and years. 

Hvitserk "I don't know what to say.. that was-"

"You don't have to say how proud you are..I know. Gods that felt so good!" Hvitserk laughs hard and you laugh with him. "Oh gods I feel like I can fly away with how light I feel now!"

Hvitserk "How poetic!" 

"Shut up-" you playfully push him, which makes him laugh harder. "Let's go riding."

Hvitserk "I have a place I want to take you kitten."

"Oh is this going to be our little place too, like Ivar and I have?"

Hvitserk "Maybe..if you would like it to be."

"Let's go." He helps you up on the horse, then gets in front and begins to ride into the treeline. 

…

The thought of having a nice, peaceful place to go with Hvitserk brings so much joy and love into your heart. The fact that quite possibly, you and Hvitserk can bring your daughter to this place is just wonderful. 

Hvitserk "Well would you look at that.."

"Hmm?"

Hvitserk "Look behind us." When you do, you see all three dragons flying in the sky, towards you and Hvitserk. You giggle and rest your head on his back. "I can't take you anywhere, can I?" He laughs.

"You love them."

Hvitserk "I do. I have since they were babies!" 

"Gosh, I miss how tiny they were."

Hvitserk "Mm they were very tiny weren't they?"

"Hey. I still see them that small most of the time, just not when I ride them." He chuckles. "Maybe we can gift our daughter with a dragon."

Hvitserk "You think so?"

"I think that we could think about it. Sadly a day will come when my dragons won't be here anymore..I would like for our daughter to experience what we got to experience." 

Hvitserk "That would be lovely. We will find her one kitten. But until we do, your three will suffice, hmm?"

"Yeah." You look above you and find your three babies flying high and strong with such beauty and grace it makes your heart flutter. It makes you such a proud woman to be able to say that those beautiful creatures are your own and will be for hopefully many years to come.

When there is a clearing in the trees, Hvitserk stops the horse and dismounts. For a second, you are confused and do not get off the horse. That is until Hvitserk offers you his hand for you to take. You can hear your dragons land but you do not see where they did. 

Hvitserk "We are here."

"And where is 'here'?"

Hvitserk smiles, "Don't you trust me?"

"Always."

Hvitserk helps you off the horse so that you land safely, "Then follow me kitten." You walk a few feet through the tree clearing and when you do, your breath gets taken away with subtle beauty. There is a lake with the same color blue as Ivar's eyes, with mountains and a trail just ahead.

"I-wow.."

Hvitserk "Yeah..do you like it?"

"I-I'm speechless Hvitserk! This lake is gorgeous."

Hvitserk "I've been coming here for a little over a year now. When I met you, I knew that I wanted to take you here because I know that you love the water." 

"You are the sweetest, I love you."

Hvitserk "I love you too princess, c'mere..let's sit." There is a tree that has fallen down near you so he gestures to sit down on it. When you do, there is a comfortable silence between the both of you. The only noise you hear is the sound of the water and your dragon's on the mountain tops. 

"We have to bring her here."

Hvitserk "We will. She will love it."

"Mmm." You rest your head on his shoulder and forget about all of your responsibilities and thoughts that include anything back home and just sit with Hvitserk. In peace and tranquility. You could stay here forever you thought. And you just know that this lake can be a place where your daughter can spend time with her love one day. Just like you and Ivar have your place and now this new lakebed, your daughter will have the same privilege and that is a wonderful blessing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ivar has gathered his people around the village of Kattegat to figure out exactly how your father should be killed. It is only right as a king to ask his people such things like an execution. You taught him that. You taught Ivar how to be respected by his people rather than be feared by his people, which he was until he met you. Ubbe and Torvi stand by his side and awaits for yours and Hvitserk's return. When you arrive, everyone is happy to see your return. 

"My queen." They bowed as you walked by. When Ivar has your hand in his own, he is willing to speak. 

Ivar "My people, the time has come to discuss the matters of Y/n's father. We would both like to hear how you all think he should meet his maker!" You hear your people shout words such as crucifixion, death by fire and death by dragon's but nothing up close and personal. 

Ubbe "Should we take a vote?" Ivar takes his people's votes and the majority of the people voted for death by dragon. 

"I personally would love to do the honors." The people shouted and cheered. They are excited to see you finally get the justice that you so rightfully deserve. They do not know of your childhood but they know of your torture and abuse by both him and king Harald. And that is enough for them to say the least. 

Ivar "My love..go get them."

"With pleasure."

To Be Continued 

@hvitserkmarcosource @a-mess-of-fandoms @ivarsgoddess @youbloodymadgenius @readsalot73 @heavenly1927 @saldelys @herestherealproblem @conaionaru

[umccall71]

Chapter 19

Characters: Prince Liam & (mc) Lady Saige

Rating: Mature

Word count :2721

Disclaimer:All characters are property of Pixelberry except my OC Lady Saige. The use of these characters are for entertainment only and i am only borrowing them.

Summary:After a summer of a lifetime,Prince Liam thought he could have it all.He was carefree, free, and sharing time with the woman of his dreams.When life was easy, a balancing act between love and duty, he realizes his truths are lies, wrong is right, and decisions do have consequences. Lady Saige never imagined she would be one of his consequences.When an utter act horror throws her world into a tailspin.

Warning: This series contains subject matter of depression,pregnancy, violence, and sensitive sexual content.The story may trigger certain individuals. Please be advised. If you are reading this series you are acknowledging you are 18+.

A/N:Sorry for the long delay.Things have been hectic in my life for a bit.I had to take some time to focus on my health. Thanks for your understanding and patience.

********

@eadanga @ao719 @lodberg @silviasutton1989 @ownworldresident @rainbowsinthestorm @the-soot-sprite @jared2612 @sashatrr @jovialyouthmusic @smalltalk88 @syphax @custaroonie @kuladekiwi @whenyourheartskipsabeat @marietrinmimi @furiousherringoperatortoad @gibbles82 @choices97 @fantasy-of-fiction @romanticatheart-posts @drakesensworld @simsvetements @blackcoffee85 @3pawandme @indiacater @hopefulmoonobject @elles-choices @lauradowning29 @carabeth @carabethpow

******

An hour after Saige had bared her soul, sharing her nightmare, Liam sat by her hospital bed waiting for any sign that she was open to him being there for her in this dark period. She slept, or at least she seemed to be sleeping when he heard a gentle tap on the door. He lifted his head and eyed Bastien creeping into the door slightly ajar. Liam slowly stood and followed Bastien out of the room. “Sir, Queen mother is in the waiting room. She has a lot of questions as to why she's here”, he lowered his gaze before following Liam to the waiting former queen.

Regina scolded, “Liam, what is the meaning of summoning me here… to a hospital?! Why are you here?`` she inquired. She scoffed and twisted her face at the thought of being in this building without a word.

Liam was not feeling very generous, or stuck on protocol when someone so precious had been victim to protocol and elitism. “Regina, I called you here because there is something I need you to see… my words would ...not do it justice. Follow me.” He opened the door to the waiting room and embarked on large strides across to the door the hid the love of his life. He paused before opening it to prepare Regina to enter quietly trying not to startle his wife. “Inside this room is someone that requires your audience. When you go inside just allow me a moment to prepare…”, he veered off and slowly opened the door. Regina followed, eyes studying each corner of the small room, listening to monitors beeping quietly in the somber corners of the sterile environment. Liam walked around the side of the bed and fell to his knee, he grasped Saige’s hand and gently kissed her knuckle bringing her to a brief moment of clarity.

“Love...I have someone that wanted to see you. Do you have a moment for a brief visit?” he whispered, careful not to cause her alarm. “Regina came to see how you are.” Regina collected herself before speaking, “Saige...are you hurt? Why are you here?” Liam interjected, “she's here because she was attacked a few nights ago while I was in Italy,'' he swallowed hard the lump that had taken up residence in his throat.

“Oh dear… I hope that you...you are on the mend.`` she curtly responded. “Liam...crime in Cordonia is most unwelcomed for tourism. Are there any leads on how this happened… where it happened?”, she attempted to read the body language of Liam.

“We have some valuable leads on who and how this happened… my question is why. My wife...our queen was at home in our quarters when intruders entered in the depths of night and attacked her. The people responsible took upon themselves to hurt and violate my family…my pregnant wife. Animals deemed that their station in society entitles them to help themselves to people and things that are not theirs to have at all!”he spoke through gritted teeth.

“Well I hope you have all the royal guards searching for the perpetrator,'' she gasped trying to not stare at the visible bruises and machines that had taken up residency in the room with Saige. Liam eyed his wife as she tried to avert her eyes and shrank a little smaller. Her crystal blue eyes darted to the door, raising up as much as her body would allow, fear visible on her soft features, panic evident, “please tell me … he’s not here, Liam doesn't let him in here … p. Please, `` she pleaded. Regina noticed that she seemed visibly shaken by a mystery visitor.

“Dear Saige...are you alright? I truly an attacker would be so brazen to come ...here of all places, `` her face was puzzled by the reaction. Liam felt too much time had been wasted to get through. “Regina... Saige is fearful of the people responsible since we know them...well, or so we thought, `` he sighed as he walked over to Saige carefully studying and attempting to convey that she was indeed safe. He spoke to Saige while staring at Regina,” love, perhaps she will better understand if you tell her who was responsible ...for you being here.”, his eyes became glossy, and lip quivered briefly knowing the hell this is creating for his wife.

Saige’s eyes began to well up with tears, pensive look etched in worry and shame, she shook her head disagreeing with Liam, fearful that Regina would not understand or hold her responsible. Her voice was but a whisper, she noticed that he nodded encouragingly that it would be okay,” Liam… she wouldn’t believe me ...she wouldn’t believe that he would...no please, SHE Won’t care that he raped me and ...and beat me… and hurt me! Liam.. nooooo please no, he … he’s too powerful and he will get away with this, `` she sobbed.

Regina's puzzled look started to transform to slight irritation, “who...who is he..this he that she keeps speaking of Liam?”, she quietly asked. Liam continued to stare at Regina as he encouraged Saige to tell her who “he” was. “Baby… he can’t hurt you again… just tell Regina the name of the animal that did this to you.” The room fell silent for several moments, Saige swallowed as she forced the name from her chapped lips, “Constantine”, she whimpered and dropped her head back to the flattened pillow, curling into herself with a defeated look.

Liam continued to stare at Regina as realization dawned on her the name that was uttered as the attacker. Tears slowly ran down his face as he confirmed that she had heard correctly. “Yes..while I was away, my father, your husband came to our home with two guards in the night and he degraded, beat, and violated my wife on the floor. He… did unspeakable things to her. I guess he felt he had something to prove not having succeeded the last time. You see Regina, this is not the first time my father, then the man and I use the term loosely tried to rape her. Did … did you ever wonder why she suddenly left Cordonia? Why my relationship with him changed... Became nonexistent? The night Saige first came to the palace...that bastard tried to rape her in my study. If it weren’t for him being too drunk where she could knee him in the balls and run out the door… he would have raped her a lot sooner!”he clenched his jaw and closed his eyes before turning to his fragile queen and moved as close as she would allow him to be with her. “ He leaned down and whispered to her, “I'm going to show Regina out love, I will be right back...I promise”, she nodded and took her position facing the window staring out into the cloudy sky.

Liam walked toward the door, glancing back to the shell of the woman he loves wistfully. Once the door was opened and closed behind him, he looked down to the floor before looking Regina in the eyes, “before you fix your tongue to defend him...to say it wasn't him...there was DNA collected from a cover that was wrapped around my naked wife after she found bleeding and unconscious on the floor. It is certain to determine 100% that it was father that did this. He… emptied himself on her stomach...the stomach that was to serve as a safe place for our children to grow over the next several months, `` he paused for words to sink in, “we learned after this attack that Saige was carrying the twin heirs, our children”, he clenched his fist at the thought.

Regina's eyes stretched at the words, “she's pregnant with twins?”, she questioned. Liam quickly shook his head, “ she was, but I learned that one... One did not survive, `` he glanced away for a moment. “They believe with the blunt force of him forcing himself into her … violently, it simply could not survive. Right now… I have to figure out how to help my wife come to terms with carrying one child while grieving the other we had no idea she was carrying until this heinous act.” Liam wiped his hand across his face, the stress visible. “Regina, when you see him, let me know immediately. He will be taken in and tried for treason, this I can promise you, `` he eyed her face as the shock set in that her husband, the former king would be hunted down and caged or worse. She reached her hand to grasp his, she nodded in understanding, “I'll let you get back in there Liam. For what it's worth… I am sorry for your loss...both of you”, she stared at the door to Saige’s room, “Will you let me know if I can do anything for her?”

Liam acknowledged her words,” I only ask that you treat her with respect and compassion that she gives to everyone she meets. She will make a wonderful queen, too bad she hasn’t been afforded the opportunity to show you. Right now, I am worried about being a husband to wife...goodbye Regina”, he turned and walked back inside leaving Regina to ponder everything she had just learned. A moment later Bastien pulled her from her thoughts, ma’am, the car is ready.” She followed silently behind him as they exited the hospital and the drive back to her estate.

*

Liam sat staring out the window, lost in thought as he gently rubbed his thumb across her knuckles. His head spun around when he heard a knock on the door and opened immediately to show the fatigued face of her doctor, “How’s the patient doing? “ The doctor offered a solemn smile as he prepared to shatter a little more of the queen’s heart. “Your majesties, I need to speak with you both and give an update as well as expectations for the coming days.” He glanced at the king knowing his next words are going to devastate her, and add to the nightmare she was already living each hour that ticked by. He subtly nodded in affirmation that it was time to cause his queen more unspeakable pain.

“Ma’am, are you in very much pain or discomfort?”, he asked patiently awaiting her response.

“There is some pain, I mean, it's uncomfortable at times within my lower body”, she grazed her face, “my face, will there be any scarring after I leave here?”, she looked at the doctor waiting with bated breath.

“I see no reason that all of your facial injuries should not heal completely. I needed to discuss with you both what the expectations are in the coming days and weeks ahead. Your majesty, when your friends brought you here following the attack, my team in the ER worked to triage your immediate injuries and to check the welfare of the pregnancy. When we learned of the pregnancy we ran a blood test to check HCG levels and ultrasounds to see if there was any immediate distress in utero. We examined the physical tearing from the assault, both front and back areas affected and repaired the injuries and stitched them up. We also learned from the ultrasound and examination of two things. We determined that you were pregnant and we visibly observed the fetus within the amniotic sac, but we also observed a second amniotic sac that was...empty.”,The doctor paused noticing the look of confusion set into Saige’s face.

“What.. what you saying, a second amniotic sac? What does that even mean?”She struggled to make sense of what was being explained to her.

“Ma’am, the second sac was empty due to a partial miscarriage. There were two fetuses, but for whatever reason, only one is still considered viable. The body rejects the embryo/fetus due to it not being strong enough, or it could have the trauma...that caused the fetus to not remain in utero. We had to ensure the safety of the remaining fetus so we had to strengthen your cervix with a procedure called cervical cerclage. It's a stitch added to the cervix to lessen the chances of early labor or miscarriage. This will increase the odds of delivering a healthy, full term baby.” the doctor looked to Liam for reassurance that it was acceptable to proceed. He was interrupted watching Saige become agitated,” stop saying that.”

“I'm sorry ma’am, did I say something that you have questions about? “, he inquired.

“Stop calling my babies… embryos or fetuses… they... Oh god… they were made out of love with my husband and you are telling me that I had two babies growing inside, but only one is still there?! What… do I with that information!”, she screamed in horror with her new reality expanded or in this case lessened in the last several days.”Why would we be blessed with two babies and then fate plays a cruel joke and takes one of our children away Liam?!!!”, the sound of her voice was trapped momentarily in her throat when a deafening cry filled the room. “Oh god, why, why...why did he do this to me? Why did he do this to my baby?! How...how..how can I go on with this baby knowing theres a child that won't be born?!!!! Nooooo, Liam no... why?”, she doubled over her body racked with grief trying to make sense of it all.

Liam wrapped Saige in his arms as she fought the cries, the feeling of helplessness, the need to push him away, but he wouldn't...he couldn't let go. He needed her at that moment just as much, if not more than she needed him. The doctor removed himself from such an emotional, visceral, devastating moment. He felt as if he were encroaching on something so personal. He bowed and quietly left the room after making eye contact with the empty blue eyes of the king. There were less than a handful of people that would ever bear witness to this side of King Liam, but he knew right now, he was simply a husband and father grieving the loss of a family member that would not realize it's destiny.

Liam reached overhead and pulled the light to darken the room to match the darkness that he and Saige felt at this moment. He pulled her as close as he could without making her feel forced without rejecting his touch. Liam's hands shook as he extended them to hold his wife. He was careful not to disturb the monitors and IV as he did what little she would allow...for now. He gently stroked her auburn hair trying his best to bring her some solace in this time of need. Her body’s jerking, shaking, sobs were transmitted throughout Liam as he held her, just being there. No words were necessary at this moment… he knew she just needed to release all the pain, torture, despair, emptiness, and loss without needing to hear the words. Saige cried all night, her tears seemed to have the flow of a waterfall. She couldn't stop, sometimes the cries grew louder, others were silent, but they never stopped.

What was overlooked in that night was the parade of tears that silently relented out of Liam’s eyes and finding refuge atop Saige’s hair. He thought of the words of Liv and Regina, “Liam, you lost a child too. Allow yourself to grieve.” He laid there in the darkness only light breaking though was from the window. Liam removed his shoes without disturbing her slumber. Saige had finally drifted to sleep.

Liam felt his phone vibrate with an incoming text from Bastien that simply read, “We have all three of them in custody,” Liam response was a thumbs up , followed by, “you know where to hold the trash until I’m ready to have it taken out. We will talk in the morning, I’m needed elsewhere tonight. I am not to be disturbed.”

He softly laid a kiss upon her sleeping head and closed his eyes as he contemplated what he intends to do with the men that stole part of his family, hurt his wife, and robbed her of sweet dreams in the sunrise.