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“Push gently now,” the midwife says. “Baby’s shoulders are on their way.”

I do as she says, fighting against the pain, but all of a sudden, there’s a rush of fluid and a sense of relief, and the midwife catches the baby in a towel.

“It’s a girl,” she announces.

“A girl?” I cry, struggling to sit up.

Skylar and Ruarok help me, and the midwife hands me our child wrapped in a towel.

“By the gods,” Ruarok says in amazement.

Our child has jet black hair and dark eyes, and from her tiny shoulder blades unfurl two miniature wings. She blinks up at us, taking in her world for the first time.

“Hello baby-girl,” Ruarok says, touching her curled hand with his. “We’re your parents.” He kisses my forehead. “You’re incredible.”

I blink back tears of happiness.

“Let’s leave the king and queen alone for a moment,” Skylar says and ushers everyone out of the room. I know this process isn’t quite yet done, but it feels good for it to be the two of us for a moment—no, the three of us.

I stare down at our daughter. “I’d like to call her after my mother, Lorith.”

Ruarok smiles. “Your mother was a fine woman.”

I realize it must be difficult for him to say that, since she, like I, did nothing during his incarceration, but he knows how much I loved her, and how I love her still. I wish I had her with me during the birth, to meet her grandchild, and it breaks my heart that she’ll never get to see her grown up.

“Lorith Loftborn the Second,” I say, and laugh. “What a big name for such a tiny baby.”

Ruarok kisses the top of my head. “She won’t stay tiny for long.”

My heart fills with happiness. “We’re a family now.”

“Always, my queen, my wife, my love.”