Four

"How beautiful," Rosen whispered, his voice awestruck.

He stood transfixed, his breath catching in his throat as he gazed upon Morelle's transformed visage. The wounds that marred her delicate features had healed, leaving behind nothing but a trace of lingering tenderness. She was like a sculpture carved from a piece of the night sky, an ethereal beauty that radiated a soft luminescence, as if the moonlight itself had woven its delicate silver threads into her very being.

Rosen's eyes roamed over her flawless complexion, tracing the gentle curves of her cheekbones, the elegant slope of her nose, and the softness of her lips. In the moonlight, beneath her closed lids were silver eyes that shimmered with a depth that seemed to hold entire galaxies within . Rosen had never seen anyone so utterly breathtaking before.

He reached out, his fingers trembling with a mixture of reverence and desire, as if he were afraid that this enchanting vision would vanish with a mere touch. As his fingertips brushed against her cheek, a surge of warmth spread through his veins, igniting a profound connection that whispered of destinies entwined.

Morelle stirred, her eyelashes fluttering open like the delicate wings of a resting butterfly. Her eyes widened in surprise as she found herself met by Rosen's intense gaze, the fiery depths of his crimson orbs mirroring her own awe. A soft smile graced her lips, a smile that spoke of gratitude and newfound hope.

"Thank you..." she breathed, her voice a gentle melody that danced upon the night breeze. 

Rosen's heart swelled with a mixture of pride and tenderness. From the moment he laid eyes on her in the clearing, he had been captivated by Morelle's gentle nature. Now, in the presence of her resplendent beauty, he found himself falling deeper into the abyss of his emotions. He longed to protect her, to cherish her, to be the one to bring a smile to her face and the light back into her eyes. 

"You owe us nothing, Morelle," Rosen replied, his voice filled with a conviction that echoed through the surrounding darkness.

Morelle's smile widened, a soft glow illuminating her features. She reached out, her hand finding its place upon Rosen's, their fingers intertwining in a gesture of unity and understanding. In that fleeting touch, they were no longer two separate beings, but a singular force.

As they sat there, bathed in the moon's gentle glow, a sense of calm settled upon them, their souls intertwined in a delicate dance of trust and vulnerability. The night itself seemed to hold its breath, as if aware of the profound connection that had been forged in that tender moment.

And so, in the embrace of the night, Rosen and Morelle lingered, their hearts beating in harmony.

"Ahem", Rosalyn coughed delicately, her presence suddenly feeling like an intrusion amidst the palpable connection between Rosen and Morelle. She shifted uncomfortably, feeling like a third wheel in this intimate moment.

Rosen tore his gaze away from Morelle, his eyes momentarily clouded with confusion. He blinked rapidly, as if trying to shake off the spell that had held him captive. His attention shifted to Rosalyn, a sheepish smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"Apologies, sister," he said, his voice laced with mild embarrassment. "I got caught up in the moment." Rosalyn nodded in response , her eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and understanding.

"It's quite alright," she replied, her voice gentle and soothing. "I'm just glad to see Morelle healed."

"Thank you both," Morelle whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "For everything."

Rosen nodded, a soft smile playing on his lips as he held Morelle's hand a little tighter. The weight of their unspoken connection filled the silence, and it was as if time itself had slowed down.

Until Adeline's wail broke the silence .

Morelle's head snapped to her daughter laying on the straw mat beside her. Relief washed over her as she discovered the infant was unharmed. She quickly scooped her up into her arms, her touch gentle yet filled with a fierce protectiveness. Adeline stirred, her tiny fingers curling around Morelle's thumb as she let out a contented sigh.

She then looked to Rosen with a sheepish grin. "Uh, I- I need to nurse her. Could you...?"

A faint pink dusted Rosen's handsome face as his eyes glanced at Morelle's chest and then quickly looked away. He gave a swift nod, his voice barely above a whisper. "Of course. I'll...I'll give you some privacy." With that, the young man turned on his heel, his steps quick and determined as he made his way towards the cave's entrance.

The sound of his retreating footsteps echoed through the cave, leaving Morelle and Adeline enveloped in a gentle silence. Morelle's silver eyes, now shimmering with a mother's love, never left her daughter's face. Her touch was tender, her fingertips tracing the curve of Adeline's chubby cheeks as she hummed a soft lullaby.

The melody filled the air, weaving its way through the cave's damp walls, resonating with a warmth that transcended the darkness. Morelle's voice, though soft, carried a profound depth of emotion, as if every note were an expression of her love and devotion.

Adeline's eyes fluttered closed, the rhythm of her mother's voice lulling her into a peaceful slumber. Morelle's heart swelled with a mixture of joy and relief, knowing that her daughter was safe in her arms. She continued to sway gently, her movements mirroring the soothing cadence of the lullaby.

After what felt like an eternity, a faint knock resonated from the wall outside of the cave. Morelle's eyes widened in surprise, her voice a gentle whisper. "Rosen?"

The cave's entrance shifted, revealing a bashful Rosen with a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. His eyes met Morelle's, filled with a mixture of tenderness and vulnerability. "I...I hope I'm not intruding," he stammered, his voice barely audible.

Morelle shook her head, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Never," she replied, her voice filled with warmth and gratitude. "You're always welcome , Rosen."

With a hesitant step, Rosen entered the cave, his eyes never leaving Morelle and Adeline. The sight before him, the bond between mother and child, filled his heart with a newfound sense of awe. He approached them slowly, his movements cautious yet filled with a burning curiosity.

As he reached Morelle's side, Rosen sank to his knees, his gaze fixed upon Adeline's peaceful slumber. He extended a hand, his touch gentle as he brushed a stray wisp of hair away from her forehead. Morelle watched in silence, her heart swelling with a strange affection for this man who had become an unexpected pillar of support.

"We'll keep her safe," Rosen whispered, his voice tinged with a fierce determination. "No harm will ever come to her, I promise you that."

Morelle's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you, Rosen. For everything."

Rosen looked at Morelle and offered her a small smile, "This is strange to me, you know. My own mother never paid so much attention to me and Rosalyn. She left us in the care of a wet nurse for our early years. Always too busy to be bothered with her own children."

A soft pang of pain pulsed in Morelle's chest. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she looked down at her own daughter's lovely face, her heart swelling with a mixture of love and protectiveness. "I could never imagine doing that. I love my baby girl so much that it hurts, she is my universe."

Rosen's eyes softened, his hand instinctively reaching out to gently grasp Morelle's. The warmth of his touch seemed to seep into her very soul, a balm to the wounds that still lingered from her past. "Morelle, you possess a love so pure and fierce, it's like a beacon of light in this dark world. Adeline is lucky to have you as her mother."

Morelle's eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling with emotion. "I just want to give her the love and attention that I never received. To be there for her, to protect her from all the darkness that surrounds us."

Rosen's grip on her hand tightened, his voice filled with determination. "And you will, Morelle. We will protect her together. I promise you, I will never let any harm befall precious Adeline."

A sense of comfort washed over Morelle as she looked into Rosen's crimson eyes, his words a soothing balm to her troubled soul. She knew that with him by her side, she would never have to face the challenges of motherhood alone.

In that moment, a newfound strength and resolve coursed through Morelle's veins. She was no longer the timid and fragile young woman she once was. She was a mother, a protector, and she would do whatever it took to keep her daughter safe.

Outside the cave, the wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the sweet scent of blooming flowers.

And as Morelle gazed down at her sleeping daughter, her heart swelled with a profound sense of gratitude. She was grateful for the love that now surrounded her, grateful for the strength that Rosen brought into her life, and grateful for the opportunity to be the mother she had always longed to be.

In that moment, Morelle made a silent vow to herself and to her daughter. She would cherish every precious moment, she would be the unwavering pillar of love and support that Adeline needed, and she would create a world where her daughter could grow and thrive.

And so, Morelle and Rosen sat there in the cave, their intertwined hands a symbol of their unbreakable bond. As the lullaby of the cave's resident creatures filled the air, they knew that their journey together had just begun.

The path ahead would be filled with challenges and obstacles, but they were ready. For they had each other, and with their love as their guiding light, they would navigate the complexities of life and protect their beloved Adeline from any harm that dared to come her way.

In that fleeting moment, the cavern underwent a metamorphosis, shedding its external facade to reveal a sanctuary of solace and sanctuary. A respite from the cruel world that lay beyond its protective walls. Yet, this haven was but an ephemeral escape. For as comforting as it was, a simple cave could not serve as a suitable home for her precious child. Certainly not a cave nestled within the forbidden depths of the Forest, where danger lurked in every shadow.

As Morelle tenderly pressed a kiss upon Adeline's innocent forehead, a resolute determination welled within her. She understood that she must forge herself into an indomitable force, one that would no longer flee from the monstrous beings that lurked in the darkness. Neither her sister nor her treacherous husband would be spared from her righteous fury. No longer would she cower in fear. She would vanquish them, and anyone foolish enough to threaten the safety and sanctity of her beloved ones..

Morelle looked at Rosen with a heavy heart. For some reason she was drawn to this beautiful stranger that came into her life at her direst moment. She so wanted to stay with him , but she knew better. 

"Rosen...Could you guide us safely out of the forest?"