Inheriting Her Light

The night's weight settled on me the moment our chamber doors closed. I collapsed face-first onto the bed with a dramatic groan, sinking into the soft velvet like it owed me for my performance.

I wasn't sure if it was the pressure, nerves, or simply the afterglow of holding the entire noble class of Coldmere in the palm of my hand. Whatever it was, my body was done.

A few moments later, I felt strong hands with a familiar touch wrap themselves around my ankle and slide off my shoes with a soft thud.

He started slow, fingers kneading the sore muscle along my arch, pressing up toward my calf. I let out a soft sigh I didn't even realize I was holding.

"So confident in front of them," Noah mused, voice like honey. "Now here you are, limp as a noodle."

"Hmm, this noble deserves worship," I said into a pillow. "Do you know how much willpower it takes to threaten five noble families without sweating?"

It felt incredibly good, though.

"You didn't even blink," he said with clear amusement.

"Exactly," I huffed, peeking over my shoulder. "That's talent."

Noah chuckled and shifted his grip, working a knot out on my leg.

"You saw the Delvains, didn't you?" I asked.

Even though I didn't care about any of these people, I still did some research before tonight, learning the faces of some of the key players in the north.

"Mhm," he said with a knowing look. "The mother whispered something to her son after he kissed the dagger. She probably didn't like seeing the heir of their family bending a knee."

Her face had obvious disdain as she looked in my direction. I tried not to acknowledge it, but it was impossible.

"Good catch," I murmured, flipping onto my side. "Add them to the maybe revolt list."

"Already done," he said, gazing at me with eyes that would move the world if I asked. Sometimes it was almost too much to bear, but that never stopped me from leaning into it, from using that love like it was mine to command.

"What about the Sorens?" I asked with obvious alertness from the way they acted.

"They were far too enthusiastic, like it was rehearsed. Either they're truly loyal or trying much too hard to be noticed."

"Trying too hard is almost worse," I rubbed my temples, "Makes me feel itchy."

Noah grinned, "You're really starting to sound like me."

Do I? At the same time I scoffed at that comment.

"That's dangerous," I said with a smirk. "One overly possessive lunatic in this marriage is enough."

Saying something like this to Noah was my right as his woman; no one else in this world would get away with it. There was a real possibility that they would be injured severely or killed for such disrespect.

"You enjoy it," Noah said with so much confidence that I couldn't help but believe his words. At the same time I smirked inwardly, not being able to deny it.

"Of course I do." I said without shame.

He moved up to my lower back, easing the tension from my spine. I melted again, my limbs reduced to pudding.

Who would have known Noah was so damn good at this? The second he starts doing his magic with his hands, I can't even resist, no matter what he does to me. Not like I would anyway, hehe.

"You think with this show of force any of them will test me?" I asked curiously.

"Some will, without a doubt; the smarter ones won't. Finally, the desperate ones will end up getting killed before too long trying something stupid that I'm already preparing for."

"Well, that's reassuring." I couldn't help but remember all of those eyes; most of them were not of acceptance, but obedience waiting for the right time to strike. Damn vultures!

"Before you even have to raise your voice, don't worry, Sera, I will protect you." He started placing light pecks onto my stomach.

It was obvious our peaceful night was about to turn a bit more wild. That look in his eyes when he's ready to pounce was already lingering.

I smiled, "But what if I like raising my voice, its fun watching them squirm."

"So you're a tyrant now?"

"Maybe," I purred. "But I'm your tyrant."

He brought himself up to eye level as I lay on the bed, Noah brushing his lips over my forehead. "You're my queen, and your wish is my command."

"Oh really," I said seductively, knowing my will won't be completely followed tonight.

After we rolled around and had our fun, I slipped into a deep sleep, or so I thought.

When I opened my eyes, I wasn't in my bedroom anymore.

I stood barefoot in a nightgown, surrounded by a realm that stretched beyond the bounds of reality. The air itself felt cool and impossibly gentle.

Across from me stood a girl, one that I would definitely recognize because she looked completely identical and, at the same time, very different.

Her hair shimmered faintly with that same bluish-silver hue I've come to love atop my own head, while her emerald eyes glistened with a depth I'd never seen in any mirror—something warm and familiar.

"Seraphina," I whispered quizzically.

The girl blinked, and tears immediately welled in her eyes. She took one trembling step forward.

"You're the real…" I hesitated for a second. "The original, aren't you?" My voice cracked as I took in her appearance.

She nodded once.

My throat tightened, and before I could stop myself, I rushed forward and wrapped my arms around her. She felt so real… Warm and soft, I've wanted to do this ever since I received her memories.

"You're still here," tears falling from my eyes, "I can't believe it."

She sniffled softly against my shoulder. I pulled back just enough to see her face, my hands gently holding hers.

"I didn't take your life on purpose… I… I just woke up here. I never meant to…" I paused, heart sinking. "Do you hate me?"

I couldn't help coming to my own conclusions even though her face was showing anything but hate.

She shook her head furiously, squeezing my hands back tightly. Her lips moved, but I didn't need to hear her to understand what she was trying to say: 'Thank you.'

Then she finally spoke, her voice small and trembling.

"Watching you live the life I couldn't… it was beautiful," she whispered. "You gave it purpose, in a way I never could.

Tears pricked my eyes, but I forced a smile.

"You're a beautiful girl," I said softly. "I just helped people see it."

I watched as she laughed; it did something to me. My feeling towards this girl could be nothing other than love.

Her face suddenly turned solemn.

"I can't stay for long," she said, her voice growing faint. "I feel myself slipping."

"No, wait…" I reached for her, but my hand passed straight through empty air. She was not solid, not truly there. A wave of despair hit me, deeper than anything I had ever felt.

"I just wanted to say goodbye and…" She paused, brushing her hand gently over my stomach. "Congratulations."

My heart dropped.

"Wait… what?"

She gave a soft smile. "You're pregnant."

"No way," I exclaimed, blinking hard. "I mean… we've done it a lot, but I didn't even think… wow."

Then a thought hit me like a ton of bricks… a wild, desperate, and perfect plan with the one in front of me in mind.

"Be my child, Seraphina. Let me be your mother and I'll raise you with more love than you ever dreamed possible." My voice trembled with fierce desperation. This was not just a wish; it was one of the deepest desires I carried into this life. "I'll give you everything you could ever want. That's a promise."

Seraphina looked at me, and this time, her smile was so radiant.

"I think I can," Her words were not confident, but I felt like she would at least try. "I might forget everything though…"

"No matter what version of you becomes this life now growing within me, I will love you with all my heart. Just trust in me, I swear it."

The light around the original owner began to dim ever further, her image slowly breaking into a soft mist.

"Goodbye," she whispered.

My heart dropped at that moment, not understanding if what I wished would come true or not.

Then I heard someone calling out my name, "Sera!"

I jerked awake with a sharp gasp, tears falling as if I had lost something, but the question is, did I?

Noah's arms were already around me, his expression etched with concern.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "You were crying as you slept, and your face looked… scared."

"No, not scared," I whispered, pressing my forehead against his chest, "just overwhelmed."

He gently rubbed my back, holding me like I might break.

"You want to talk about it?" Noah asked, like the very supportive husband he always is.

I smiled, my voice cracking just a bit.

"Not right now, just… hold me for a while, okay?"

"You don't even have to ask me that; I consider it a reward." Noah said with a grin that I couldn't help but smirk at.

As he rocked me softly in the stillness of the room, I pressed a hand to my stomach, a quiet, secret joy blooming deep in my chest.

Welcome back, Seraphina; that's at least what I'm going to keep telling myself. Because even though I received no confirmation, at the same time it just felt like it happened.

A strange pull that gave me confidence: it wasn't just a dream; there's no way.

There was a presence when I woke up, delicate, gentle, and comforting. That same feeling I had when I touched her in that impossible place. The real Seraphina… the girl who had lived this life before me, she was no longer just a memory.

She was inside me now, a life reborn, and I would treasure her with all my heart.

I didn't know how long I stayed in Noah's arms, lost in the weight of that revelation. Minutes, maybe hours, and by the time I noticed, the sun was already setting. He remained silent, holding me with steady presence, a constant support at my back.

Only when I finally looked up into his eyes did I speak.

"Noah," I said softly, my voice still catching on the emotion in my throat. "I… I need to tell you something very important."

He sat up slightly, his arms tightening around me.

"Last night… I had a dream, or maybe it wasn't, and I actually met her, the original Seraphina."

His brow lifted slightly at my words, but he didn't interrupt.

"She looked just like me, only softer. When she cried, I held her without a second thought." My voice cracked again, tears burning at the corners of my eyes. "She told me she was proud. That she liked what I had done with her life."

Noah put one of his hands on my cheek, turning my head towards him, his eyes locked on mine.

"That's not all; she also said goodbye." I couldn't help but feel regretful at those words.

Hopefully she was still here with me as I rubbed my belly, trembling as tears still fell from my eyes.

"She told me I'm pregnant."

His breath caught, and I could see the flicker of awe rush through his expression.

"Her soul…" I said with confidence because that's what I choose to believe. "It's inside me; I felt it, I know it!" A smile couldn't help but bloom on my face. "She's the baby growing within me right now. When I woke up, what I was thinking all this time was how much this body felt like mine more than ever. So it was obvious she relinquished whatever hold she once had over it."

I was a crying mess, not just over sadness, but also joy at what the future could now hold. What I wanted with all my heart had come true.

"She might not remember though, maybe. But, even if she doesn't, I'll still love her the way she has always deserved. I'll give her a life full of love and joy. No fear of her own family or pain she never deserved, only warmth from the both of us."

My eyes locked with Noah, who leaned forward and kissed me, his own eyes glossy now.

"You've already changed her world once," he said quietly. "Now you'll do it again, even better this time."

I sniffled, pressing myself against his chest.

"I never expected such a life, none of it, but now that I have it… I don't want to let any of it go."

He wrapped his arms around me, burying his face in my hair.

"There's no way I wouldn't protect my own daughter, especially with her origin coming from you." He said with confidence. "You're mine, and now… she's ours."

I smiled, the tear starting to subside. I didn't know what fate had in store for us.

But I know this. The little girl inside me was more than just a child. She was my redemption.

A promise: she would be loved more than anyone else in the world.