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“Be quick,” I tell him when I can breathe again.

“I will.”

He vanishes, and I hear him pounding on doors along the corridor. “The queen is having the baby! The queen is having the baby!”

I can’t tell if that’s excitement or terror in his voice.

In less than a minute, Skylar is by my side, holding my hand. “What can I get you, my queen? What do you need?”

“Some water to drink, and some towels for the bed.”

Her blue eyes shine brightly. “This is so exciting.”

“Easy for you to say.”

I groan as another contraction hits. When they come, it’s impossible for me to do or say anything other than fight my way through it. It’s all-consuming. All I can do is try to breathe until it passes.

Ruarok returns with the two midwives. He seems more flustered than I am, which would be almost comical if I weren’t in so much pain.

One of the midwives turns to him. “My king,” she drops a small curtsey, “the birthing room is no place for a man. You should wait outside, and we’ll call you in when the baby is born.”

I want to call for him, to tell him to stay, but another wave of agony grips me.

I didn’t need to say anything.

He turns to the midwife with a snarl. “She’s my wife, and nothing will make me leave this room. Nothing. I am to be at the queen’s side, and I will watch our child take their first breath.”

She blinks in fright and curtseys again. “Of course. Apologies, my king.”

I reach for him, and he’s at my side in an instant, taking my hand and smoothing my hair, already damp with sweat, away from my face.

“I need you here,” I tell him. “I can’t do this without you.”

“I’m here, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”

I’ve never felt so vulnerable before. I’ve always tried my hardest to be strong, but I can’t right now. I need him to be strong for me, to protect me and take care of me.

“I believe in you, Taelyn,” he says. “You can do this.”

“I can’t,” I cry.

“Yes, you can. You’re so strong and brave. The strongest person I ever met.”

He stays with me as I go through contraction after contraction, helping me take sips of the water Skylar fetched, and to change position when I need to. Thecontractions get closer and closer together, until it feels like there’s barely time between them at all, and my world blurs into one of pain.

“It’s time,” one of the midwives says. “You need to push now, Queen Taelyn.”

I can’t control it. My body is doing what it needs to, and I have no choice but to go along. It’s terrifying, but knowing my husband is with me helps. He’s the person I lean on. I bear down, gritting my teeth. The noises coming from my mouth are barely human. Even as queen, I’ve been reduced to my basest form.

“That’s right, my queen,” one of the midwives praises me. “The head is almost here.”

It’s unbearable, but I can’t stop. I couldn’t even if I’d wanted. I think I might pass out from the pain, but then the head is out and I’m given a few moments to catch my breath.

“The baby’s almost here. You’ve nearly done it.” Ruarok squeezes my hand almost tighter than I’ve been squeezing his.

I let out a sob. I’m overwhelmed and exhausted, but the ending is close.

Another contraction takes hold. I draw a breath and push again.