Iris hummed in agreement, shifting her eyes to look forward at the path ahead that now she could clearly see, like Tyla and the others.
They carried on walking through the forest talking and making plans for the new arrival in their family, even though it was far away and a lot could happen in that time, they couldn't help but rejoice at the news.
Ian showered Iris with kisses whenever he got a chance asking her if she was tired or hungry like a worried mother hen.
He carried her on his back on the more difficult parts to walk on, even though Iris reassured Ian that she was alright.
Now that she and Bastos had finally merged, she could feel a different kind of energy coursing through her body, she felt stronger and more confident in her own abilities to prevail.
Night came and then dawn followed, the sun peaked from behind the hill when the cave finally came into their view and they saw Athan pacing in front of it like a caged beast.
Ian sighed heavily, not knowing what to do about Athan's failure to give him the good news but for now he would have to let be, since Iris looked a bit tired and he knew she needed rest more than anything.
Athan sighed in relief as soon as he saw them, he ran down the hill, crashing into Iris hugging her tight " I'm so happy that you're safe!" he mumured with his face buried in her bossom while Ian glared at him.
Clearing his throat to gain his attention, making Athan lift his face and finally realise what he was doing, his eyes widened " I apologise! I got carried away again!" he muttered under his breath while bowing his head still very much glued to Iris.
Ian peeled Athan off Iris, who reluctantly let go of her, knowing well that Ian's wrath was no joke and she was his only shield against him.
" Athan, would you stop smothering Iris! She is my wife, not yours!" Ian barked while glaring at Athan, he knew that what he felt for Iris was nothing more than brotherly love but he couldn't help himself to point out the obvious.
Athan let out a nervous chuckle, wringing his hands, trying to gather the courage and come clean " So, you know when we asked me about the mark changing, not long ago?!" he began his story looking like puppy while his eyes darted between Ian and Iris.
" Mhm!" Ian hummed already knowing where this was going, he just wanted to let Athan stew in his own juice a little longer just for his own enjoyment.
Athan awkwardly smiled "Well, you see.....Iris is with child!" he uttered quickly before taking a step back putting some distance between him and Ian just to be on the safe side.
Ian kept a straight face and continued playing the game " Are you sure Athan?" he asked in disbelief while frowning trying his best to look surprised.
Iris rolled her eyes, she was feeling tired now and in no mood to deal with this " We know Athan! Tyla told us!" she finally ended the sharade giving Athan a reassuring smile, patting him gently on the shoulder, glaring at Ian for being childish again.
Ian frowned " I was just having a little fun!" he smirked, looking a little dissapointed that Iris told him before he could go any further.
Athan sighed in relief that he wasn't in as much trouble as he thought he would be " "How are you feeling? Where is Bastos?" he quickly shot the questions while looking past Iris for the wolf.
Iris gave him a small smile " I'm a little bit tired now and hungry!" she paused taking a deep breath in before giving the news to Athan " Bastos and I merged!" she breathed out the words knowing how Athan felt about that.
Athan gasped " No, the witch she will know where you are now!" he stated in worrisome voice while frowning and lightly panting in panic.
" She already knows where she is, there is no point in delaying the inevitable!" Ian informed in a serious tone voice looking a bit displeased at how things turned out.
" How did she find you?!" Athan curiously asked, his eyes darting between Iris and Ian waiting for one of them to answer.
" The three people in the forest, she possesed them while we were there!" Ian shortly replied glaring into empty space at the memory of it, he still couldn't believe that Tyla's mistake came at such a hefty price.
Upon having a closer look at Ian, he finally noticed that Ian clothes were covered in blood but it was too much to have come from only three people " Are they still alive? Why there is so much blood on you?" he again shot the questions while staring at Ian blood stained clothes.
Iris sighed " I promise, we will tell you everything but first Ian and I need some rest! We will talk more after that!" she softly added while putting her hand on his back and started to walk up the hill with Ian and Athan in tow.
" Has Tyla been here since we left?" Iris questioned looking at Athan from the corner of her eye while aproaching the cave entrance.
" Athan shook his head " No! Why? Isn't she with you?" he asked in worried tone of voice while glancing over his shoulder.
" I sent her to search for the castle, she should be back soon! If I'm not mistaken, the castle is there but we can't see it, for some reason!" she explained in a pensive tone of voice while looking at the ground, thinking about the castle that seemed to have a mind of its own.
All three walked inside the cave, where Rhya was waiting, she quickly stood up and gave them a curt bow " Happy that you have returned safely !" she greeted them while lifting her head making her way to them, grining ear to ear.
Athan rolled his eye, he could see that Rhya was itching to tell them by the way she smiled and decided to burst her little bubble " They already know, Rhya!" he mumured while smirking at Rhya feeling better now that he had ruined her joyous streak.
Rhya screamed, making all three of them freeze in their spot, she couldn't believe that a baby is coming into the fold, this has never happened before.
Their queen's never married during their reign and never had children, that was one of the reasons why there was no royal family in their society.
I wasn't forbidden but the position was so demanding that over time queen's just focused on managing the two realms which took a lot of time and energy, leaving no room for something else.
" A royal baby!" she squealed frantically, her eyes sparkled with pure joy while she looked at Iris with adoring eyes.
" Are you hungry? Tired? Your feet hurt? Do you want to wash? Sleep? she frantically asked questions while looking at Iris unblinking.
Iris sighed " I would like to rest, now! We can leave the rest for later?" she replied in a soft voice while trudging to the spot that she Ian slept previously.
Ian made his way to the back of the cave and returned with more blankets, making his way to Iris trying to make it as comfortable as possible for her to rest.
" I'll get out of these clothes and I'll join you!" he softly mumured while covering Iris with the blanket, placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
Iris nodded " I'll wait for you!" she wispered in a soft voice, slowly closing her eyes.
Ian nodded and made his way to were Athan was, pulling him along at the back of the cave to look for some clean clothes.
" Light!" he beseeched Athan with his head buried in one of the chests that they haven't had a chance to look through.