Chapter 6 Page 11 - The Silent Conversation Mati and two lamias chapter 74 by The Reaper

Mati felt the wave of coolness from the mangoes begin to fade, replaced by the oppressive, honey-thick heat of Aurelia's metabolism. The sensory overload was intoxicating, but he felt a sudden, pressing need to let his daughter know he was still there, still aware, and deeply appreciative of the lavish treatment. He shifted his weight, pressing his palms firmly against the pulsing, velvet walls of the sanctuary. He didn't have a voice that could penetrate the muscle and skin, so he relied on the only language they shared in this space: rhythm and pressure.

He began to tap a deliberate pattern—three slow, firm presses, followed by a pause, and then two quick pulses. It was a makeshift code, a tactile heartbeat designed to cut through the rhythmic thrum of her digestion. He pushed with all the strength his slim frame could muster, trying to create a sensation that was distinct from the internal movements of the belly, a signal that shouted *'I am here'* into the darkness.

Above him, Aurelia paused mid-bite, a slice of mango still hovering near her lips. Her blue eyes widened as she felt the unexpected, rhythmic pressure against her interior lining. It wasn't the mindless kneading of a digestive process or the shift of a body settling; it was intentional. A small, knowing smile curved her lips, and a soft, shuddering breath escaped her as she realized her father was trying to talk back to her.

"Oh!" she gasped, her voice vibrating through the walls like a low-frequency bell. "He's talking to me! Daddy is trying to tell me something!" She dropped the fruit and leaned forward, her hands splaying across her stomach to feel for the next pulse. She pressed her palms inward, mirroring his pressure in a gentle, squeezing embrace, creating a conversational loop of touch that bypassed the need for words.

Emily leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she watched her sister's reaction. "What is he saying, Aurelia? Is he asking for more mangoes? Or is he telling us he loves us?" She pressed her ear against the stomach wall, listening intently to the muffled sounds of the man inside, her heart swelling with the joy of their strange, intimate connection.