Twenty-six days remain…

Felix let out a groan as he sat up, wanting nothing more than to go back to sleep. The four of them had a rough night. Eri was once again not feeling well. Mana had built up inside her causing Felix to have to release it. Unfortunately, that hadn't been enough.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his concern slowly burning away the haze within his mind. He glanced her way and found her curled up and massaging her temples.

"Better…I think?"

He winced. She sure doesn't look it. Still sitting, he reached over to her and put a hand upon her forehead. It was hot to the touch. "I'm finding a Sage. Kyrith. Zira. Keep an eye on her."

Felix immediately bolted to his feet and took off, not waiting for anyone to respond. Meanwhile, the rest of the world was starting to stir. It was slightly cloudy, but in the distance there were drooping, dark clouds…

Coming to a stop before the tent, Felix stuck his head in. Inside, he found Ashtia standing over a small table. The Healer was quietly humming away as she worked to grind something within a mortar and pestle.

"Hmm?" She stopped and glanced up to him. "Oh, Felix, it's you. What can I do for you? Did you hurt yourself again?"

He hesitated. The Sages knew the full extent of Eri's pregnancy and how different it was to a normal one, but did he have time to explain everything to her? Should I?

A look through the bond answered it for him. Eri's condition was worsening. I should have brought her with me! He clicked his tongue in frustration.

"Felix? Are you–"

He interrupted her. "Eri's sick. She has a fever and is burning up."

Before he could blink, Ashtia was already pushing past him. "Take me to her…"

The two of them stepped outside and back into the waking world, the dark clouds growing ever closer. They made it about half-way when Felix decided to speak. He needed to tell her about the pregnancy.

"Ashtia," he said, coming up right next to her. "About Eri's–"

"I am aware. Master Aluin thought it wise to fill me in."

Her words made him stop mid-step. "Oh."

"I will do everything to help her and the child," Ashtia added, not waiting for him.

He shook his head and did his best to catch up, however, the Healer was surprisingly fast. She was already nearing the two dragons by the time he managed to pick up his own pace. Both Kyrith and Zira immediately swiveled their heads towards their direction.

Zira was sitting, poised like a dog ready to strike, while Kyrith laid coiled up around his partner. He had a wing draped over Eri and pulled close to him.

Ashtia, unfazed, ignored Zira and went straight to Kyrith. "Lift your wing," she commanded the ember-colored dragon.

Felix finally caught up to her and came to a stop as the dragon raised his wing, revealing a writhing Eri.

ERI!

He pushed past Ashtia and fell to his knees next to his mate. "Eri!" he shouted, trying to grab her.

"Stop! Let me work!" Ashtia shoved him aside and immediately set to work. Her golden magic spread out and over Eri.

Felix watched, something bubbling up from inside him. It was those draconic urges once again…

His instincts screamed at him. Seeing his mate like this, it was too much. He wanted to take the pain away, to take it upon himself if need be–

That's exactly what I will do!

Shuffling over to her other side, Felix took Eri's hand into his and closed his eyes. He thought back to when Zira was seriously injured, and how he had reached into her mind and bared the pain with her. It had been intense and excruciatingly painful. But there was one difference now compared to then.

He would not be doing this alone.

As Felix took a deep breath and mentally prepared himself, he felt the presence of two others. They gathered at the edge of Eri's boundary.

Let us do this together, Zira spoke, her emotions just as strong as his.

Kyrith did not speak.

As one then. Felix's mind embraced Zira's, then Kyrith's.

Three became two became one…

Down… Down… Down she sank, through steam and haze. Down into the boiling sea below.

Her mind filled with pain, her senses disoriented and confused, her memories fogged and clouded. Who even was she?

The question too disappeared into steam…

She gasped, finding it hard to breathe. What could she remember?

Visions flickered in front of her, obscured and– A man? He was familiar, so familiar… The way he smiled at her…

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It faded, a new vision taking its place.

An egg, hot to the touch yet soothing and calming… It was not like this. It too faded, and with it so did the emotions attached.

One final vision appeared, a being who was cold yet soft. They towered over her but there was a sense of protection–

It was gone. It was all gone. Nothing remained, only a hint that there had been something. But even that feeling was fading…

She cried out, her tears turning into steam. She would languish here, she would… She would perish here.

Out of pure defiance and misery, she let out a scream. A scream that was muted and dampened by the heated fog. Not even that could escape her Hell.

With realization sinking in, she sank further down into the boiling water. She only wondered now which would be worse? Drowning or being boiled alive…

Down. Down. Down she sank, losing her senses altogether. She stared up at the void above, her mind empty and idle.

Eri…

She blinked but continued staring.

Eri…

She closed her eyes.

Eri.

She covered her ears.

Er–

LEAVE ME ALONE!

Eri!

LET ME DIE IN PEACE!

ERI!

Something graced her cheek, it was hot, it was comforting and soothing. It was gentle and careful, it was cold yet protective. It was… It was…

Her family.

***

Eri's eyes fluttered open, revealing a blurry and spinning world. Every part of her body felt like fire and her head pounded. The only sensation she felt that wasn't pain was someone gently holding her hand.

Daring to shift her head, she found the blurry visage of a man sitting next to her. Unlike in her fever dream she knew who it was.

"Felix…" she drawled out in a whisper, her voice barely audible. The man suddenly came alive as he jumped from his seat.

"Eri!" He let go of her hand, something that caused a moment of panic for her, before he leaned over her and pulled her into a hug. "Gods, Eri… How are you feeling?"

"Pain… Hot… Really hot…"

"You have a fever," he answered, laying her back down.

"Don't…let go."

Freezing, Felix looked down at her. "I won't."

She felt him grasp her hand once more.

"I won't ever let go…"

Felix took a deep breath as Eri faded off to sleep. This was the third time since she was brought to the Healer's tent and, unfortunately, there wasn't much that anyone could do. It was her pregnancy that caused this…

In the following silence he probed the edges of her mind, making sure she wasn't having another terrible dream. That was the last thing he wanted and he, along with Kyrith and Zira, were keeping a constant vigil for any signs of such. But now there was another problem to contend with.

What to do now?

Their marriage and Eri's coronation were only a few days away. Her fever was going down but Ashtia had determined that stress played a major role.

Should we postpone everything? That question weighed heavily on his mind and he desperately wanted to say yes. Everyone was moving quickly, though, and progress was outpacing their expectations. In fact, they were supposed to be having a meeting with Hargoth soon…

The tent flap was pushed open and two individuals entered, Aluin and Oralyn. Both came to a stop next to him and gave sincere but grim looks.

"How is she doing?" Oralyn asked, taking a seat next to him.

He answered, giving a meek smile. "Still has a fever but it's slowly improving."

Aluin was the next to speak, putting a reassuring hand upon his shoulder. "Ashtia is one of the best Healers around. She will take good care of Eri."

"I know."

Silence fell between them, but the burning question ate away at him. "About the ceremonies… We should–"

Oralyn stopped him with a shake of her head. "I know what you are about to say and I think you should reconsider."

He looked in her direction with confusion. "What?"

"You want to cancel the marriage and coronation. Don't do that."

Felix blinked and his expression became incredulous. "Do you realize that stress was part of the reason for her becoming like this? Her pregnancy is already tough but with all this added stress? It's making her physically ill!"

Aluin squeezed his shoulder. "Felix, I believe what she is trying to say is, get this all over with and she wont have any more stress."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You're agreeing with her?"

"I am, we both had a brief chat about this on our way here. If she's recovered enough, I think it would be best to keep with the schedule and let her be done with it all soon rather than dragging this out any longer. Once the coronation is complete she will be able to rest far more easily."

Hah, I highly doubt that… Although, Aluin does have a point. Eri has been running around and dealing with all the meetings by herself. She's under a lot of pressure… A lot of pressure that I can take on.

Suddenly, and against his own instincts, Felix stood up. "Oralyn, have you cancelled the meeting with Hargoth?"

She gave him a wry smile, letting her mask slip away for the moment. "No, worse case I would be going by myself. I take it, you still wish to go?"

"Yes, and any other meetings that Eri was planning on attending."

"Very well, but I think I shall warn you, it will mostly be a formality."

He waved her concern away. "I don't care, I should have stepped in a lot sooner and taken some of the weight off her shoulders. In a way, I am responsible for her condition." He paused, another thought occurring to him.

"Aluin, can you do me a favor?"

The Sage raised an eyebrow. "What can I do for you?"

"Can you or someone you trust keep an eye on Eri?"

"Won't Kyrith at least be here to keep her company?" Aluin's eyes widened. "Ah, you're wanting them to continue their practice."

"Exactly, and I will talk with them. It's a long shot, but I am going to try and convince those two to go do something productive."

"Fair enough. I do think getting their minds off of Eri for a little bit would be healthy. The same goes for you as well."

Felix let out a sigh. "I know, but the three of us fear that she will wake up in another fit and be left alone. However, If you could take our place then I think we can breathe a little."

Aluin gave him an elven bow. "Then that is what I will do. She will not leave my sight."

"Thank you." He turned his gaze towards the tent's entrance and sucked in a deep breath. This next part wasn't going to be easy, but neither dragon had uttered more than a handful of words the entire morning. They were taking this just as hard as he was, and that needed to change.

And Eri, I know I promised I wouldn't let go of you… But I think this is the best way I can help you. All I can ask is that you forgive me once you wake up.

He stepped through the tent flaps and went to face two scared and overprotective dragons…

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