Page 33 of Black Hearted (Cursed Fae #4)

Dawn

“I can’t,” I whimpered to Eowyn, who was tapping my cheek lightly to keep me awake. I’d been in labor for over a day, and I had just pushed the third baby out—a girl to join her two brothers—but I didn’t have the strength to birth the fourth.

“I’m exhausted,” I told her.

Aribella and Isolde were both in the birthing room along with Zander and Eowyn, assisting however they could.

Isolde’s sister, Seraphina, had been helping as well, but after she nearly fainted during the first delivery, Eowyn had banished her from the room.

Those who remained gave me encouraging words, telling me I could do this, but I wasn’t sure I could.

I had misjudged how draining it would be when Eowyn tied the babies to me.

I was depleted physically, mentally, and magically.

I was just a shell of myself, and all I wanted was sleep.

I peered over at the three little bundles, tiny as could be, wrapped in blankets and asleep in their bassinets.

Thin protective bubbles surrounded each one, giving the children the nutrients they needed to survive outside my womb, but the cost was great.

My energy and magic were being siphoned away.

I was tired, hungry, and utterly spent. Yet, I loved them so much.

Two boys and a little girl. Eowyn had been shocked when the girl was born, having assumed I’d give birth only to sons.

I’d been ecstatic, but it was the look on Zander’s face when he first saw his baby girl that made my heart swell.

It was instant love and devotion. I knew I’d carry that moment with me for the rest of my life.

“You’re doing great, my love,” Zander said, stroking my cheek gently.

Another contraction tightened my belly, but as hard as I tried, I couldn’t force myself to push. I had already thrown up four times from exertion. I was done.

“If she doesn’t push this baby out, we are going to lose it,” Eowyn said grimly.

Panic gripped me, but my body refused to cooperate. My muscles wouldn’t respond, and my will was slipping.

My eyes began to close as exhaustion tried to pull me under, but a sharp slap to my cheek snapped them open. I was ready to lash out, but then I saw Isolde kneeling beside me. The fearsome Winter princess had never looked stronger. Married life suited her.

“That hurt,” I growled at her.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not going to let you lose this baby,” she snapped, her tone firm and unyielding. “You’re Dawn Ambrose. Princess of Summer. Lady of the Northern Kingdom. If you can’t do this, no one can.” A cool breeze filled the warm room, and I felt a flicker of alertness return.

“She’s right,” Aribella said, nudging Zander aside so she could lean in closer. He moved behind me, stroking my hair soothingly.

“You can do this, Dawn,” Aribella said, her voice calm and steady. “Dig deep.”

A calming sense of assurance filled me, making me believe I could find the strength to birth this final child. I turned to Aribella skeptically. “Are you using your magic on me?”

She just winked.

The next contraction pressed down hard, and I cried out. Isolde and Aribella were right—I couldn’t let anything happen to this child. I was strong enough.

Eowyn positioned herself at the foot of the bed. “I just need one good push. The baby is already halfway there.”

With Isolde fanning me with cool air to keep me awake and Aribella bolstering my confidence, I propped myself up on my elbows and bore down. A primal roar tore from my throat as I gave this last push every ounce of strength I had.

Mommy’s got you.

There was searing pain, then sweet relief as Eowyn lifted a tiny, screaming baby into the air for me to see before placing her on my chest.

“Another girl,” I whispered, a tear slipping down my cheek as my heart expanded even more.

How could I instantly love these babies so much? All I wanted was for them to have the very best in life.

Zander kissed the side of my head. When I looked up at him, he had tears in his eyes. “I’m so proud of you,” he said, stepping back as Aribella and Isolde did the same. They knew the drill by now. Eowyn needed space to perform the bonding magic.

Eowyn moved closer, ribbons of silver light swirling around me and the baby as she wove her magic. Slowly, the baby was encased in a thin protective bubble that would keep her safe until she grew stronger.

I smiled faintly as Eowyn worked, even as the bonding magic consumed the last reserves of my energy. I gazed down at my baby girl in awe. She and her siblings were worth every ounce of my magic. They, along with Zander, were my life now—the very beating heart of me. I would do anything for them.

The exhaustion became bone-crushing. Though I wanted to keep my baby close, I could barely hold her. “Take her,” I whispered to Zander.

My husband gently lifted his daughter from my arms just as Eowyn finished the protective bubble around her. My head lolled to the side as sleep finally overtook me.