jeriendhal | 365 Days of Drabbles: Day Four

For

ankewehner. "Tez and Maria shortly after the birth of their first child."

Maria lay asleep in her bed, brown skin gone pale gray, a white cotton gown covering her flattened belly, hiding the stitches. The blood, so much blood, had been washed away. Whether she would awaken again remained to be seen.

Meribeth lay in her cradle beside him, also sleeping while Tez rocked her. Pointed ears marked her as his, tiny horns and light mocha skin as Maria's. Tiny, precious life. New life, of a mix never seen in the world before.

"New" was always so dangerous.

"I will defend you from all who would destroy you," he whispered. "I promise."