“I can’t speak for everyone, we didn’t go into details about our past because it didn't matter any longer. We all wanted to forget about our life here and move on. We never thought we’d see Faerie again and had to make the most of it. In Winter, family units lived together. I was unmarried, so I still lived with my parents. That was my favorite thing about Winter, the sense of community was unbeatable.” He speaks of Winter with so much pride, despite everything the king did. It only makes me want to fix this land for him, to re-establish what he’s longing for.
“I bet it was amazing. I’d have killed to have family like that,” I say softly. He gives me hand a squeeze. That’s one thing I appreciate about his comfort, it doesn’t come with useless words, only a sense of solidarity.
“We can have that again, don’t worry. You get a second chance, including getting to know your parents. But I’d love to see that community built up again, families helping families. If one person became ill, then others helped.”
“I think we’re already on our way. Look at New Faerie,” I say. I’m proud of how well we’ve all worked together so far. Even new fae coming in jump right into life here.
“But as for work, I was a historian. I documented current events and maintained the historical books in the school library. Our school wasn’t like Earth schools. Children stayed with their parents or family until they were thirteen, then they joined classes. Most leave school to start work at twenty, others who want to teach or be advisors need to stay longer, getting a more tailored education for their specialty," he explains. It’s interesting how each court had an entirely different system, we’d have to discuss as a council how to handle that in the future.
By the time he finishes explaining how Winter operated, we’re back in the halls and almost to our suite. Just as we round the last corner, a scream echoes through the hallway. We glance at each other in alarm, pull out the daggers we never leave our room without, and run towards the chaos. Fae I don’t recognize are clustered in the hall and I hear Maddox’s voice booming above the crowd.
“Let’s be respectful and give her space. We have healers, go back to your rooms or wait in the ballroom for news. She has everything she needs," he yells and the crowd thankfully obeys, giving us a chance to get closer to Maddox. His eyes relax when he sees me and he rushes forward to grab my wrist and pull me with him. “We could use an extra set of hands to help. One of the pregnant women is having her baby... right now," his words are punctuated by a shrill scream that has us hurrying.
Ready to do my part, I take off and toss my cloak to Wyn before rolling up my sleeves. I pull my magic to the surface and take a deep breath before I enter the room. I’ve never been in a delivery room, but I have a feeling this isn't going to be pretty.
The poor woman is on the table writhing in pain while two healers stand nearby. They’re bracing her legs and saying words of encouragement while another man rubs her forehead lovingly, though he looks pale and terrified. Yup, definitely the father.
“I’m Queen Bella, is it alright if I assist you?” I ask, and her eyes go wide before she gives me a weak nod. I take her hand and she immediately crushes it. Her belly tightens with another contraction and I push my magic gently into her, a mix of calming and healing waves to try and ease her stress.
Pain relief isn’t something we’ve discussed, but she seems to relax into the bed as soon as I send my magic her way, her screams now whimpers of pain as her belly seems to tighten with another contraction. I push my magic gently into her, sending healing waves of magic mixed with a touch of calm to try and ease her mind.
She lets out a sigh of relief despite her belly tightening yet again, but the moment she does, horrific pain lances through my abdomen and pelvis until I nearly crumple on the spot.
“Bella?” Maddox yells in shock, bracing his hands around my waist to keep me from falling. I open my eyes to check on the woman. She seems to be a lot less distressed than she originally was and that makes it worth it. I have to make sure her baby is well and they both survive. She’s suffered enough, and we have no clue what the king’s spell may have done. Not to mention, this baby is the first born in our new world and I refuse to let anything happen to either of them.
“I took some of her pain, I’m fine," I grit out when Maddox asks again. As another contraction hits, I take a little more of her pain. She feels
some of it, gritting her teeth and breathing through it this time instead of screaming.
“Time to push, Lilly,” the female healer states, instructing the two men to hold her legs. I don’t dare let go of her hand, in fear of the spell breaking and this getting worse.
The labor seems to go on for hours, she’s exhausted and so am I. The moment the baby is out, we all hold our breath. As the seconds of silence tick on, I send prayers to the Spirits of Faerie, terrified the baby won’t make it.
Please let the baby be alright, don’t let the evil king take this from his people too. Please!
The beautiful sound of a shrill cry cuts through the room and Lilly sobs. I’m not usually a crier, but the moment is beautiful and I can’t help the tears streaming down my own cheeks. My heart warms at the sight of her soft smile as she watches the healers tend to her baby.
“Now, let’s get you to your mommy,” the male healer says softly, moving to hand her over. Lilly’s arms are outstretched before they fall back to her sides, head lolling to the side.
Fear slams through me. Could fate be so cruel? This baby needs its mom to survive.
“She’s hemorrhaging!” The healer announces in a frantic voice. He hands the baby off to the father and Maddox escorts him out before coming back.
As the healers get to work, I shut out the rest of the world and focus only on Lilly. I know nothing about labor or delivery, but I can push everything I have into healing her. Dropping to my knees at her side, I start pushing magic slowly into her. Since my pain relief worked, I focus specifically on stopping the bleeding and repairing any damage from the birth.
My heart is breaking, but I refuse to let those thoughts take hold. Instead, I keep a steady flow of magic, knowing Lilly deserves everything I have to offer. Now that the baby is safely in her father’s arms, I no longer have to be gentle. Knowing my men are close, I increase my magic and keep my focus.
My magic stores are wavering, so I focus on the warm tingle of magic flowing from me into her. We’re so connected now that I feel the healer’s magic pushing into mine, the pain subsiding and warmth flowing back into her body.
She’s getting more stable, but still has a long way to go. Before I can worry that my magic supply is empty, the scent of spring rain and fresh cut grass washes over me. The moment Bowen’s hand rests on my shoulders, my magic replenishes.
Maddox’s hands never left my waist and at this point he’s all that’s holding me upright. Even with the extra magic, my body can only take so much. But I refuse to stop, knowing deep down that she’d never survive if I abandon her now.
“The bleed has stopped," the healer announces, her voice astonished. Even though hope blooms in my chest, I refuse to stop. I’m nothing if not stubborn and it’s too quickly. Though with that prospect, I do slow down so I don’t pass out on her.
“Will she be okay?” her husband chokes out. The poor guy just had to watch and wait, snuggling his baby close as he prayed that we save her mom.
The healer doesn't answer right away, instead checking Lilly’s vitals first.