breaking like the wine-stained glass that held my drink
The last few months, after meeting the gold and white flecked creature, had changed everything for her. Those moments of emotions bursting with desire had been filled with exhilaration. It was something forbidden almost, a secret part of life she never knew truly existed until she had met Aodhan. She never had any idea that was the way it truly felt. Sure, she knew how babies were born, but the way Adria had told her had not compared to that moment she shared with Aodhan.
Her belly swelled quickly after Aodhan had left Ischia. A part of her missed the shifter. She longed to feel those gentle touches and moments again. But the nereid simply fell back into the pattern of her daily habits living on the tropical island.
Being pregnant had given her more of a reason to be lazy. She spent most of her days lounging around the island and spending time with her island family. Carrying life within her felt strange and foreign, but each day she loved the little creature that grew within her.
Spring had finally come—she knew the day would come anytime she would give birth. It wasn’t until the late spring now that her body finally told her today was the day. Eva naturally finds her way to a quiet space on the shore of the island, far from where others rarely venture to. The waves of the ocean lap over to where she finds a comfortable spot among a patch of wet seaweed and other sea plants that provide a comfortable spot for her.
Eva laid gently down on the shore, feeling the laboring pain more each time the contractions came. It was a strange pain, something she never felt before, but she found herself completely relaxing. She allowed nature to take over. Her face contorted as the contractions became quicker and her eyes closed once the birthing began.
Her sides rippled with pain as every ounce of her strength focused on giving birth. The child was eager to find its way into the world as it only took a few pushes. Eva quickly found herself eager to meet her first child—a boy! “My little Aeolus,” a smile quickly lifted her purple lips up as she was memorized by his sunset color coat with gold flecked markings. Scales covered his coat naturally where he the waves of the ocean touched him. A nereid, she thinks happily.
The boy quickly finds himself fluttering about in the swallow water. Naturally the boy picked up swimming easily, but Eva encouraged him with soft nudges. The boy smiles back, suddenly revealing sharp teeth where once normal teeth had been. Her features quickly turn into confusion, uncertain of exactly what sea creature he could be.
Eva