Page 69 of Blood Bonds

19

A New Power Rises

“Move,” Gabriel ordered.

“Fuck off,” Sethios growled as his hands ran over Caro’s lifeless form on the bed. She’d lost consciousness, something he intended to fix. Somehow. Maybe.

Fuck!

“Have you ever delivered a Seraphim child? No. So move. Now.” Gabriel shoved him out of the way. Behind him stood a gorgeous woman with brown hair, porcelain skin, and blue-green eyes.

“Where the fuck did you come from?” Sethios snapped, his attention torn between the newcomer and killing Caro’s son.

“No time.” Gabriel moved to the side. “Help her, Leela.”

The woman stepped forward with a bag and started pulling out supplies. “I need warm water,” she advised. “And more towels.”

Gabriel misted while Sethios eyed the female. “You’re a Seraphim.”

“Yes,” she replied.

He didn’t have the energy to ask more, nor did he care so long as she helped Caro and the baby.

He swept his palm over his face and sighed. Shit. He’d been so frustrated with Caro’s words that he’d failed to notice her deteriorating condition, and rather than be there for her, he had pushed her away.

I’m a bastard.

Sethios knelt beside Caro and clasped her ice-cold hand between his.

“Come on, sweetheart,” he whispered. “Don’t do this to me. Come back.” Her pale face and purple lips broke his heart.

If anything happens to her… He didn’t know how to finish that thought. She would survive. She had to.

“She’ll be fine,” Gabriel said as he reappeared. “Most females die a few times during birth due to the intensity of the process. It takes a lot of energy to birth a Seraphim, especially one as powerful as my future sister.”

“What can I do?” Sethios asked, helpless.

Gabriel blinked at him. “Provide comfort. It may… help.”

“That doesn’t sound very scientific,” Sethios pointed out even as he leaned in to press a kiss to Caro’s forehead.

“It’s not, but my mother’s pregnancy responded well to your brand of care; therefore, the birthing process might be the same. Only time will tell.”

“She’s only dilated three inches,” Leela murmured. “There’s not enough time.”

“Time for what? The baby to be delivered normally?” Sethios demanded. “We can’t wait?”

“It’s not a matter of us waiting, but the child,” Gabriel replied. “Seraphim heal from any injury, including a breach such as this.”

Sethios shuddered at the implication of what he meant and slid into the bed beside Caro to hold her as best he could.

He brushed his lips against her temple, then her cheek, and willed her to return to him so they could do this together. All the hurt her words caused evaporated as he focused on their child and keeping Caro safe.

He palmed her belly and whispered, “Not yet, little one. Give your mom a bit to acclimate. Please.” The last thing he wanted to see was Caro being ripped open by their child.

“It won’t help,” Leela said, her voice oddly emotional for a Seraphim. “As Gabe said, the babe will come whether Caro’s body is ready or not.”

“I warned you this pregnancy hasn’t been normal.” Gabriel eyed Sethios’s hand on Caro’s belly. “The baby responds to him.”