“Once since we brought you back, I didn’t speak to her though,” I replied and touched the platinum curls on the top of her head. “I just can’t believe that I could live in a world where I died and was reborn just so I could watch my children die slowly.”
I looked up and he was gone, and Ryder stood there watching me. “We still have time.”
“No, we don’t,” I whispered and looked up at him. “I can’t do this,” I sobbed as I held the sweet girl closer. “I can’t watch her die,” I exhaled a shuddering breath.
“Synthia,” he whispered.
“It’s not fair! I haven’t even had time to get to know them, their personalities, what they like,” I cried.
He sifted out and I continued to hold my daughter, knowing that everyone else was afraid to be in this room. They knew what I did. That we’d run out of time and we were going to lose them.
*~*Ryder*~*
She’s hanging on by a thread, a single tattered one that was fraying and letting go. She’s been so strong for so long that the idea of losing our child is crippling. I know the feeling; I felt it when I lost her. I know that emptiness all too well, and death’s cold hand as it gutted me. Now I’m fighting time, to prevent it from stealing her and our children. I had seen enough of this to know that Kahleena is just the first to sicken and without the blessing they need, the boys will probably be next.
I know if we lose a child, she’ll be devastated. And if we lose all three, she will most likely give up or go inside of her mind as she did with Larissa. Maybe not right away, but eventually, she’ll fade away. She already is, even though she’s fighting it. In the last week, she’s watched as our daughter ate less and moved less, and still, she’s fought to stay alive. She is so tiny, and yet she has the fight inside of her that her mother has. I need them both to continue fighting until we figure it out.
“How’s Syn?” Sinjinn asks, his eyes searching my face and then dropping a slew of curses. “We’ve run out of time. That tiny little lady is just like her momma, she needs to keep fighting.”
“Indeed.”
“Ryder,” Zahruk said as he walks into the room and stops. “I…” he pauses and I watch as his throat bobs. “She’s alive still, right?”
“She’s getting worse, but she’s a fighter.”
I’m holding my emotions in, but I want nothing more than to mow down the Mages and kill every last one of them. Ristan hadn’t seen Synthia or the children in my future and we’re beginning to think this is why; because we somehow fail and lose them all.
“Have the Pixies found anything?” I ask, and turn away from my men.
“No,” Zahruk says as he places a hand on my shoulder, and speaks. “We’ve figured out a way to help Synthia. Well, one we think will help cheer her up a little bit. Between me, Ristan, and the girls, we sorta think bringing in some Human holiday crap might work. It is the Winter Solstice on Tèrra right now, so it is their time for holidays and she is missing it this year. Humans seem to enjoy their holidays so we figure it can’t hurt. Ristan has already cast an illusion in the Pavilion to make it look like her hometown, and we’ve begun decorating.”
I exhale and shake my head. “You think taking her home will make her forget our daughter is dying?” I snarl, and then shake it off. “We can try, but don’t be offended if she doesn’t care. She’s breaking, and all I can do is watch as she shatters.”