Chapter 401 Chapter 401
The lights were low over the pool, creating a relaxed atmosphere. With the flowers Terah had selected floating in the water it completed the picture of a tranquil scene. Then the men standing around the pool, looking tense completely ruined the whole picture. Konner glanced to see Reeves would have rather been anywhere but here.
The women were in the water, along the border, and not one of them looked tense, his aunt in fact looked happier than he’d seen her in years. They all wore some sort of robe that floated out around them, the white of them making them appear like clouds. Shaelan was beside the ladder, he assumed standing on it because she couldn’t float in as the others could. She had offered to wear a mask and go beneath the surface, but a strong contraction had ended that amusing conversation.
Malachi was in the water, supporting his mate as she relaxed between contractions. Seeing that set something inside Konner off that he didn’t think he had in him—until right now in this moment. He did want this part of life to be his own. Family, children, all of it.
Terah was hovering on the surface near Raelyn’s belly, her hand on it like she was feeling the children inside. She began to hum softly, then nodded at Raelyn, a soft look on her face. Olanna and Nolyn moved a little closer and while they didn’t have the control that Terah did, they too began to hum in the way of their people.
Konner watched as his Auntie smiled and moved closer to the woman in the center. He had never heard her sing, in or out of the water, but she did now like all she’d been waiting for all these years was someone like Terah. Blinking, he glanced at the other males of his kind to see they were as affected by the melody as he was. Sitting down, he put his feet in the water and focused on Terah, his mate. Somewhere from deep inside him a melody he’d never heard started to come from his throat. In all his years he’d never thought to use his vocals out above the surface of the water in the way he was right now. He didn’t pause to think about it or was afraid he wouldn’t be able to continue.
Even Calum sat down at the edge of the pool and put his feet in. He may not be able to sing like the water clan, but he was right there with them and the vibes they were sending out.
Shaelan slipped and dipped into the water, without stopping her song, Terah moved over and put her arm around her to keep her above the water. She nodded, “just a bit more Raelyn and then you can push.”
Konner had no idea how she knew this when most of Rae’s body was immersed in the water, but he wasn’t about to start asking questions and break the hold the song was embracing the entire group with. Reeves sang as well, but had his eyes closed through it, he noted. Somethings were better left to his imagination Konner figured.
When Nolyn and Olanna moved over to help support Raelyn, Konner’s spine stiffened. There was a collective gasp among the women and then his aunt moved over and cradled a tiny babe in her arms. She nodded at Raelyn and moved to her side so the mother could see her child. Having assured herself that the infant was well, Rae closed her eyes and sucked in a breath.
Terah’s song grew louder than all the others and not one of them was going to complain, it moved over his skin, leaving a trail of bumps in its wake. His heart rhythm changed, and he knew his’s mate song affected him more than all the others.
“Deep breath and then bring this baby out,” Shaelan said softly.
As the child moved into the water, Nolyn replaced Terah holding Shaelan above the surface and the brand-new member of their clan was placed in Terah’s arms. Her song immediately changed to one that Konner could only label a soothing lullaby. He could see the tears on her cheeks but knew they were ones of happiness as she smiled down at the baby. His heart pounded in his chest and his throat seized, bringing an abrupt end to his attempt at the song.
Malachi turned his mate to hold her in his arms as Shaelan did doctor things below the surface, for which Konner was sure Reeves was very thankful. Auntie and Terah placed the infants into Rae’s arms and moved back out of Shaelan’s way.
“A boy and a girl,” Malachi said with emotion thickening his voice. He leaned down and kissed Rae’s forehead.
Terah came over to where Konner was and looked up at him, her eyes glistened with happiness. He reached out for her hand and then held it as they looked over to the new members of their clan.
“Traditionally the clan names the babies. We didn’t pick any this time because we’d like to go back to some of the traditions of our people.” Raelyn said in a tired voice. She turned to Shaelan, “you name one,” she looked over at Terah, “and you the other please.”
Shaelan stopped and looked at her. “Oh.” She smiled slowly, “what an honor.” She gave Calum a quick look and then looked at the babies in their mother’s arms. “The little girl, Danu.” She looked at Raelyn quickly and then looked relieved when she smiled.
“Danu is a lovely name.” She glanced to her mate, who nodded. “And for my son?” Raelyn looked at Terah.
Her hand squeezed Konner’s and he wasn’t sure if she was nervous or what the cause was. “Kai.” Terah said softly, “if that’s all right.” Her grip was still tight on his hand.
“Danu and Kai.” Raelyn looked down at the babies. “I think that’s perfect.”
Malachi turned to look at Reeves, “can you go get Lillee so she can meet the babies.”
Reeves nodded and got up so fast, Konner was sure he’d end up falling in.
“Let’s get these babies swaddled and mom cleaned up.” Shaelan was back in healer mode.
Calum was smiling as he watched her, then he turned and pulled his phone out of his pocket. Konner watched a serious look remove the smile from his face. He looked over at him. Konner didn’t need to ask. From the expression on his face, the ops were going to happen soon. He nodded at him and then slipped into the pool to pull his mate into his arms.
“I still want ten.” She whispered, her silver eyes holding his.
“Five, then we’ll discuss it.” He kissed her mouth softly.
“Okay. Five, but soon.” She smiled at him.
Konner looked at her mouth and then back to her eyes, “three cycles until you’re strong enough.”
She frowned in thought, “how often do they happen?”
“Every month or so, it varies.” If she kept looking at him with that soft look in her eyes, he wasn’t sure he was going to be able to hold out that long.
“Okay. Three and then I get babies.”
Konner grinned, “I prefer one at a time if it’s possible.”
Terah looked over to see Malachi and a few of the others helping Raelyn to sit beside the pool. “Yes. Okay. One at a time works for me.” She turned back to him and gave him a slow smile. “I think we should go to the pond and little house for the night.”
He frowned, not sure if there was something wrong.
“The house seems very full right now.” She kissed his chin, “and I want to know more about sex.” She reached under the water and rubbed the front of his pants.
Konner sucked in a breath and then nodded at her. “I think we can probably slip away without being noticed.”
“Calum and you will be leaving soon, won’t you?” She continued to rub her hand over him, he could barely think.
“Yes.” His heart kicked up a few beats, thinking about leaving her to go with the team. He didn’t know if he could do it.
Terah traced his lips lightly with her fingertip. “You will go and free all the people, Konner, I know you can.” She smiled at him and at that moment, he would have battled the masses to free any being held anywhere.
A splash broke them apart. Kole swam between them. “There are two babies.” He sounded very excited.
Terah wrapped her arms around him and swam to the middle of the pool.
Konner looked up to see Calum coming over.
“Two days.” He said in a low voice.
Konner nodded and hopped up to sit beside the pool. “Does it say where?” He didn’t want to ask about the locations with his kind being held, he didn’t want to spoil the moment of the births.
“Where we left off.” He squatted down beside him, “four places have been confirmed.” He smiled over at Shaelan when she gave him a look because she knew he was talking about more than just the birth. “Uri’s team are on them now.”
Konner smirked when Shaelan gave him the same warning look from the other side of the pool. “Okay, keep me up-to-date if anything changes,” he motioned to Terah, “I’m going to go find somewhere to hide for the next day.”
Calum nodded, then smiled at him, “looks good on you.”
Konner frowned, then saw he was looking at his neck. He put his hand over the bite, “never thought I’d have one.”
Calum chuckled, “fate has a way of changing the rules mid-play.”
Konner stood up and held out his hand to Terah as she came to the edge. Now all he had to do was figure out how he was leaving her behind when he left with the team.