Page 285 of May: Bloom & Bane

CHAPTER 87

i will eat your perimeter

Three weeks later⁠—

I am officially living in a dictatorship. If I so much as clear my throat, a shadow-tendril materializes with a glass of water. If my lower back twinges, the floorboards sprout a fresh cushion of moss before my feet can hit the next plank. Ashán and Sage have collectively agreed that the third trimester of a dual-souled monster pregnancy requires a safety perimeter… at all times.

I’m currently stranded on the massive window bench in our bedroom, buried under a mountain of cloud-silk blankets, staring out at the frosty treeline of the meadow. On the cushion next to me sits Winnie’s latest delivery: a tiny, silky cream bonnet with lace ribbons so impossibly fragile that Ashán nearly had a panic attack just looking at it. She also sent me an entire box of candles labeled with cute pregnancy sayings. I pull out the plumeria candle that says Approved by Baby Vaelína, but before I can light it, Sage snatches the match from my hand.

He clicks his tongue at me. “Absolutely not.”

I stare blankly at him. “It’s a candle.”

“It is fire.”

“Very good.”

“Near you.”

“... Okay?”

“Open flames consume oxygen. Our little nestling appreciates oxygen.”

“The plant is right,” Ash agrees.

I roll my eyes and look back out the window.

“Great,” Ashán mutters. “She’s mad now.”

A tiny blue flame blossoms atop one of his skeletal fingers. He leans over me and lights the wick. “There you go, ash’kaela.” He places a kiss on my forehead.

I sigh… and blow out the candle. “Can you guys go for a while?”

Ashán freezes, his hand still hovering over the freshly extinguished wick.

“... Go?” he repeats, his face crumpling. “Go where, ash’kaela?”

“... For how long?” Sage whispers.

“The living room,” I murmur. “You guys are smothering me.”

Neither of them moves.

Sage’s vines wrap around Ashán’s shadows nervously.

“Fine,” I sigh. “I’ll go to the living room.”

I clumsily push up from my cozy pile of pillows. Both of their hands shoot out at once.

“Careful.”

“I’ve got you.”

I glance at their outstretched hands.

Ash immediately withdraws his. “Sorry.”

Sage pulls his back a heartbeat later. “Habit.”