Kiara had her limp body carried inside the mossy cave by the maid she had chosen to be her confidant.
"Hold on my lady. We are almost there. "
The poor thing kept reassuring.
But Kiara was in no stare to share her care. They were both doomed. Both knew none of them would leave that cave alive. Yet they had to do what needed to be done. The Heir was very important to the King.
Kiara tangled the Vines of Youth in both her hands, drawing a few more drops of strength from them.
They were inside the Eternal Cave. It was a one way route. But that was the precise reason Kiara had chosen to come there. That was the only place they would not be found.
Kiara knew her Kingdom was in deep trouble, the moment she realised she had been poisoned. But she dared not divulge the fact, least it would ensure choas and further harm her lad.
Yes her lad. She was told it would be a boy. She had been blessed by the Guardian Mother's in the Floral fields of their Dragon Realm.
" My lady. Bear a little. " The little maid was again beside her, stroking her beautifully long tress, as her eyes filled with tear.
She had already given up her core. She had given up her Dragon Core to sheild her unborn son from the effects of the deadly poison.
Kiara had spent her free time in the Royal Infirmary. It used to be the best spot for her little retreats. She knew the smell of every herb, symptom of every poison and their possible cure.
This poison that she was administered didn't have any taste. Neither did it have any smell or aftertaste. But she could say it was one of the deadliest from the effects it started having on her skin. At that moment she was sure it was given to her by some one, at war with her King. The aim was not to kill her. It was targeted at her son. And it was done by someone in the Palace's inner circle so Kiara didn't take anymore chance.
Draco's look still burnt fresh in her eyes. When he had pleaded her for a child, that would be his aid. His weapon against the hierarchy fight.
"What is it that . "
The maid screamed suddenly. There was a silvery liquid dripping down Kiara's thing from her lady parts.
Kiara looked down panting. Her heart rate exceeding the speed of an unruly cyclone.
She let out a heart clenching roar. Reaching the ceiling of the cave, tearing the cave's indoor. Her hands began to bleed as the vines cut deep into her skin as she pulled looking for something comforting.
Kiara had her legs stretched apart. It was completely involuntary. She twitched as if something cut her from the inside , with blades sharper than knives.
Kiara had her Dragon skin. It was even impossible for acid to burn.
" They did not just poison me. " She thought, " there is also dark sorcery involved. "
Something moved inside Kiara. From her spine towards her breast. It handled her the worst possible way, a woman's body could be handled.
The maid looked on in horror. She had nothing she could do. She was just helpless.
" My lady... My Lady. "
She kept mumbling, waiting for her pain to end.
Kiara kept struggling. The trace of life inside her fading yet again.
But she still had to deliver her son. So she drew again from the Vines.
Finally the ache of labour reached her wombs. She felt the sharp trigger. As muscles contracted in unison, in a symphony, one after the other.
The Eternal Cave was a place, every living soul coveted. It was a place most people wanted to go to replenish their lost youthful vigor. Many had been there. In groups and in troops. But the only reason it remained unexploited was because none could get out. One could experience their long lost stamina. Become the man or maid of their adolescent years. But there was a catch.
They would devour themselves in hunger and fear when the exit door never again opened. The place was scattered with such skeletal remains. Some turned to stones who were from the Dragon's higher ranks.
Kiara however was detached from all these observations. She was well aware of her end.
The she felt it again. The contractions overlapping.
"He is here. He is here. "
She yelled with joy. The maid was surprised she still had the courage to smile.
The maid took a look inside her dilation. The crowning was very prominent.
She helped the ailing Kiara. Comforting her as much as she could.
Just then the silvery thing that dripped down Kiara's thighs, lashed out at her, as if it had a mouth.
" Not good. "
Kiara thought. She had to fight back even at the last moment. The sorcery was trying to devour her son, even when she beared all the pain, to difuse it before.
" Get the water from that pond. "
Kiara commanded , sitting in the middle of her bloody pool.
There indeed was a pond at the back. The maid spared her two glances, marvelling at her knowledge.
Kiara indeed knew more than the average Palace females. She was not just another Dragon Mate. She was gritted and strong enough to match her robust husband's exterior, just that she had it in her interior.
" Quick. Bring that water. NOW. "
Kiara yelled, out of breath.
" I am unable to hold anymore. "
She shrieked with all her vocal.
"Here it is. Here it is. "
The maid brought it in a dragon's discarded skull.
" Place your hand on his head. " Kiara ordered pointing at the baby's divulging head, " pull him out at the count of three and don't you dare look back. Go straight to the end of this cave. You will find a doorway, covered with a watery layer. Both of you go inside. Remember. You are not supposed to look back. "
The maid nodded.
Kiara gulped the liquid down as she let her load off, as she finished the countdown.
The maid ran with the newborn Prince. She hugged him and just ran. She heard the blood coiling mourn of the Queen as she heard sounds of breaking bones.