He Let Our Child Called Bastard

The "safe place" Damien promised became a tomb of silence. The room was a windowless box at the end of the north wing, smelling of damp stone and the metallic tang of the blood bags he left for me every three days.

In the beginning, he visited every night. He would stroke my swollen belly and whisper about the future—about the day he would become High Lord and finally bring me out into the light. But as the months bled into one another, his visits grew shorter, then rarer, until they ceased altogether.

The clan’s bells chimed frequently, echoing through the vents. Each ring signaled a celebration I wasn’t invited to. Through the thin walls, I heard the servants gossiping in the hallway.

"Lord Damien took Lady Lia to the Whispering Woods today," one giggled. "He carried her over the stream so she wouldn't tire her feet. He’s so devoted to her and the heir."

"The heir," I whispered to the dark walls, clutching my stomach. My baby kicked, a sharp, rhythmic reminder of the life Damien was hiding like a shameful secret.

To the world, Lia was the glowing mother-to-be of the next High Lord. I was just a ghost in the masonry.

One night as Damien walked in my room, he whispered a few comforting words like always, I remained silent.

After a few more words, he looked into my eyes and asked, "Serene, are you still upset with me?"

My nails dug in the bedsheet listening to his complain that felt like another mockery. But, I did not cry or argue to him. Instead, I simply replied,

"No, the arrangements you have made for me is more than enough I could ever expect."

He sensed the sarcasm in my tone and immediately pulled me in his arms.

"Serene, I'm sorry. My life is Lia's debt. I could not ignore her." He said. "I promise, everything will be fine in next few weeks."

"Our Clan's alchemist, they will know Lia's child is hybrid. We can't let her deliver her child in our vault."

"So, I'm taking her to somewhere else. A safe place where she can deliver her child safely. After, I come back, I'll take you to the High Court and announce you my blood bound."

"Everything will be okay then, Serene. Just hang in a few more weeks." He said, his eyes shining brightly in hope. However, I could not feel the same excitement as him.

"So, you are leaving?" I asked, my lips trembled despite trying to suppress it so hard.

A moment of hesitation flickered through his eyes. His gaze shifted down to fix at my belly and guilt consumed him instantly.

"You are also in the third trimester." He stated, "If you want... I'll not go."

"I'll stay by your side, Serene. I'll send someone else on my behalf. I can't leave you in this situation."

"It's okay, Damien." I said, "You should go. I don't want you to stay with me and worry about Lia."

The truth was I no longer care whether he stayed beside me or not. His existence... it didn't matter to me anymore.

He had been almost invisible for seven months of pregnancy that I was accustomed to not see him around me.

A smile appeared on his lips.

"You are always so understanding and brave, Serene. That's why I love you so much."

He leaned closer to me. While stroking my hair, he leaned his lips close to my cheeks to place a kiss. But, I turned my face away. His kiss landed on my hair instead.

His eyebrows tilted. But, he said nothing. He stood up and walked up to the door. He paused at the door way, turned back and said,

"After I come back, I'll make up for everything, Serene. Just wait for me."

After declaring these words, he left.

But, what he didn't know was that it was going to be our last farewell. That, I had other plans in my mind.

He wasn't going to see me when he returned.

After he left, I grabbed my phone and saw the text from my brother. "We are coming to find you, sister."

"Come fast."

I typed the words and send the reply.

Damien didn't know that a few men reached out to me through social media. They claimed to be sirened by the same vampire who birthed me. Though half, but they were my brothers and want me in their family.

For the first time in my life, I was going to have a family. A family that would not be shameful of accepting me in public.