Athelia regains consciousness, sitting up abruptly. Sharp pains shoot through her body, making her bite her lips. Noticing that Athelia has awoken, Naga immediately rushes to her side to support her.
"Athelia! How are you feeling..?" Naga asks gently, supporting her. "How long have I been asleep..? Where's Serenity!?" Athelia questions with a shaking voice full of concern. "Its all okay Athelia. Serenity has been sleeping peacefully right over there!" Naga reassures pointing towards Serenity.
Athelia looks towards her sleeping child, with a gaze full of familial love.
Serenity was resting peacefully! she was placed within a poorly crafted cradle. There were many soft blankets surrounding her, making it as comfortable as possible.
"Naga please bring Serenity over here... She must be starving!" Athelia speaks gently, still gazing at her sleeping child from afar. "Alright I'll bring her to you now." Naga says walking towards Serenity. Sliding his hand under her neck and buttocks, for support and comfort, Naga lifts her gently. He soon brings Her over to his wife Athelia without disturbing Serenity.
"Be careful with her now." Naga says with a playful tone gently handing her to his wife. "Of course I'll be careful with her." Athelia replys with a small giggle pulling her shirt down. Supporting Serenity's head Athelia brings the baby towards her bare breast. "Serenity it's time to eat." Athelia whispers with a doting tone of voice.
The exhausted baby noticing, instinctively wraps her mouth around the breast sucking with force. "So this is how it feels..." Athelia murmurs watching her child drink intently. "Do you feel pain!?" Naga asks with a slightly worried expression. "It doesn't hurt at all. I have to admit it's a little uncomfortable... But it's not something one can't get use to! If I had to describe it... It's almost tingley..." Athelia replys.
After about 30 minutes Serenity's small hands release! Getting sleepy again she falls back asleep. Naga Takes the sleeping baby from Athelia's arms. After burping her he returns Serenity to the crib to rest. Returning to his wife side he sees her bare back. Naga lightly rubs over her back touching where her wings use to be.
"It pains me to see you in this state..." Naga says gently staring at the wound on her back. "I'm just happy this is all that happened... If losing my wings means I could stay together with you and Serenity... I'd cut them off myself..." Athelia speaks with a melancholy smile.
"I just don't understand how they could be so cruel..." Naga says with a expression of anger and sadness. "Even Angels can be cruel when they deem it necessary... I committed a crime and this was my punishment... Divine punishment they told me... Isn't it laughable how life can become a sin..." Athelia says looking over to Serenity with pity and sadness. "This child is a monster to them... Those angels... I was just the carrier of a monster in their eyes... So when I refused to kill my baby... They tore my wings off..." Athelia says looking down to hide her expression. Naga pulls his wife's shirt up covering her back.
"I don't know of any monster. I just know I married a beautiful angel. Even without her pure white wings she is still the most beautiful angel in the world. She gave me the greatest blessing I could ask for. Giving me her love and a child to call our own. I am the luckiest Dragon out there. With treasures more valuable then any nation! Because... I fell in love with you." Naga says expressing his honest love for Athelia.
Athelia's eyes cloud over filling with tears as she can't hide the smile that over takes her face. Gently holding Nagas head she brings his face closer resting her forehead on his. "This was the greatest decision of my life. I love you both so much..." Athelia voice quivers as she smiles from ear to ear.