When the door to the room slid open, so did Salina’s eyes. She hadn’t truly been asleep, but was caught drifting in that feverish state between dream and reality. And although her bladder felt like a dam about to burst, the first thoughts to enter her mind were those of her children.

Kannith arrived at her bedside with a steaming cup of jaka just as she pushed herself into a seated position. She smelled the rich aroma from across the room, but up close it made her smile. She absolutely loved jaka with a little honey and milk. Taking a cautious sip, she tried not to scald her tongue, and wondered if legends about the sacred fruit were true: Did it really come from a world connected to humanities origins? Setting the hot mug aside, she asked, “Where’s Caustia and Sef? I miss ‘em.”

“In town with Natalene. Sef discovered he could dig his little fingers and toes in between the bricks, so he was climbing the walls out of boredom. And Caustia spent the last day and a half drowning the clergy in questions. We figured it best to give them a change of scenery before she caused any more disciples to question their faith.” Salina laughed. “That girl. I swear she’s just like you—always arguing with somebody about something!”

Kannith replied with mock defensiveness, “Hey! There’s nothing wrong with engaging in a bit of intellectual query. Besides, you’re fairly argumentative yourself.”

“See. Yer doing it now,” Salina teased. “Trying to turn things around. And using words like query, you dunce.” She threw her pillow at him. “You might as well speak another language if yer gonna argue with people using words they don’t understand.”

“Well, let me educate you, my dear. A query is a questi-“

“Oh stop it,” Salina playfully slapped his arm. “You know what I’m getting at. You like talking circles around people. Asking ‘em questions with no answers—then feeling smug when they don’t know what to say.”

“I’m not smug!” Kannith shot back.

“Are, too! Now quit yer smiling and help me to the privy before I use the bathroom on this table.”

“Looks like a bed to me,” said Kannith as he glanced at the sheets.

“It’s about to look like a toilet if you don’t hurry.”

As Salina was coming out of the privy, she couldn’t help but appreciate that the plumbing worked so many stories up. Things had changed so much since she was little. It was fascinating to see how vysilium and the ancient relics that had been reverse engineered were revolutionizing the world. She was willing to bet her mother hated it almost as much as Kannith, who was brooding by the window, loved it.

Without saying anything, she embraced him from behind, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders and resting her weight against his back. For a time they stood like that. Not saying a word.

Salina was the first to break the silence. “Now that I’m not about to burst, why don’t you tell me why yer over here all sad and morose like someone stole your cluckling.”

“We’ve already discussed this. I hate birds,” Kannith replied. “I would never own one of those things. No matter how small and adorable they are.”

“Quit stalling and tell me what’s going on.”

Kannith let out a long suffering sigh and Salina felt his shoulders slump the tiniest bit, “It’s your prognosis.”

Letting Kannith go, she retrieved her mug of jaka and took a sip. “Let me guess—more bad news?”

Kannith nodded.

“Seems like that’s the only type of news we get us anymore.” Salina was tired of hearing people tell her she was going to die. Even if it was true—especially if it’s true.

“I know,” Kannith said quietly. “But things are different this time.”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Before he could explain, Salina hugged her belly, “What’s changed? Is there something wrong with him?”

“No,” Kannith shook his head, looking at the floor instead of her.

Stepping forward, Salina placed a hand on his cheek. “Then what’s the matter? People have been telling me I’m going to die fer months now, Kannith. How much worse can a prognosis get then that?”

“I know. But there was always a way to save you—before,” he said the last word with a bit of hesitation. “Even if you didn’t want to take it—the option was still there. Now it’s gone.”

Salina withdrew her hand and took a step back. She knew exactly what he was referring to and was not okay with it. “That was never an option. Not for me, Kannith. You know that. I’d give my life fer you or any of my babies in a heart beat,” she touched her stomach,” and that includes him.”

“I know. And I mostly understand. I just have a hard time accepting that you would give up,” Kannith hesitated, “everything for him. We have a family, Sali-”

“You don’t think I know that?” she snapped a little more harshly intended. “Tell me Kannith, if Sef were drowning in a stream, would you jump in and save him?”

“Of course,” Kannith answered without hesitation, almost sounding offended.

“Even at the cost of yer own life?”

“Yes,” Kannith replied, but a bit slower this time. Likely because he realized where her line of reasoning was going.

“Well, that’s how it is for me. I feel like we’re drowning in a river. Slowly. And he needs me to save him. To keep him safe. Because no one else is willing to do it.” She cradled her stomach again, protectively this time, as angry tears began to build in her eyes. “I can’t give up on him. I won’t. It’s not in me. I’ll fight for him with my dying breath—I swear it.”

“Shh… Calm down,” Kannith said as he pulled her into an embrace. “No one is trying to make you give him up. I promise.”

“You better not, because it’ll never happen.” Salina whispered, still angry.

Kannith took a moment to reply, “I’m sorry. I was wrong. Okay? I’m just scared. I don’t want to lose you. And I don’t know how to do this without you.”

“Yer smart. You’ll figure it out if it comes to that…”

Taking Salina by the hand, Kannith said. “I don’t want to figure it out. You’re meant to be here with the children and me.”

“Maybe… But like my father used to say: You can only work with what you’re given. You can’t curse the land and the rain and the sunshine, when it’s all that you’ve got. Like it or not—this our lot, Luv.” She looked deep into his honey colored eyes. “I don’t want to die. I’m not ready to go. And I haven’t given up hope. But I need to know that you’re going to be there for the kids if something does happen to me.”

“You should know I’m going to be there for them—no matter what.”

“I do. But I can tell this is eating you alive. Don’t think I haven’t noticed that you’ve barely slept in months. You’re always stressed and angry. And you barley touch your food these days.” She tugged at his sleeve, “This coat used to fit you well.”

Kannith tried to turn from her, but Salina caught his chin with gentle fingers and made him look her in the eyes.

“I’m fine,” he replied, trying to sound calm, though strong emotions clouded his voice.

“Don’t lie to me or yer’self. And know I don’t question whether you’ll be a good father, Kannith. I know you will. I’d haunt you if you weren’t,” Salina said, managing to tease the edge of a smile out of him. “But if yer not taking care of you—then how are you supposed to take proper care of anyone else?”

They leaned in, resting their foreheads together with their eyes closed. “You need rest to you know.”

“I can’t argue with that,” Kannith whispered, sounding resigned. “I’ll get myself together. Promise.”

“Good. Now tell me what that stuffy old priest said. I want to know why you’re so blooming upset?”

“Alright, but food first,” Kannith said.

Salina agreed and reached out to the rooms control stone with her sensium. It took only a flicker of intention, but the moment her mind resonated with it, she could feel the residual feedback from the buildings wireless energy system dully vibrate through her. That really put things into perspective as she was young the last time she felt feedback from something as simple as a control stone.

Brushing the sensation aside, she activated the chambers psi-com crystal, which began to hum almost imperceptibly while emitting a dull violet glow. Once a connection was established with the kitchen, she put in a meal request.

Turning her attention back to Kannith, she said, “Done. It’ll be here soon.”

A short while later, they quietly discussed things over a light meal made up of fruits, nuts, and cheese with a serving of honey glazed bread. Salina mostly listened and ate, while Kannith caught her up on all the details. When he got the part about her DNA being rewritten, she felt her pulse begin to quick.

“…that’s why they haven’t been able to keep your temperature down. Wildly enough, they believe the reason your blood pressure has been so high is because Valnor has not one, but two hearts…”

Two hearts. Salina could see that Kannith’s mouth was still moving, but couldn’t hear him over the ringing sound in her ears.

It couldn’t be…

“Salina… Salina,” Kannith waved a hand in front of her to get her attention. “Do I need to summon a healer?”

“No. But I need to get to an Echo-Chamber.”

“Why?”

“Because,” Salina sounded sullen, “I need to call my mother.”

The expression on Kannith’s face made it clear that those were words he never expected her to say. She supposed she couldn’t blame him as she hadn’t spoken to most of her family in nearly ten years—her mother Baroness Ravanna in particular. Hells, they fled half-way across Promethea to escape her meddling in their relationship. They would have ran farther if they had too, but she eventually took the hint before Salina and Kannith were forced to disappear entirely.

“Are you sure?” Kannith asked.

“No. But I don’t have choice…”