Chapter 79 A SACRIFICE?

Chapter 79 A SACRIFICE?


HAVEN

Nine months pass in a blur of good and bad experiences. The undead attacks were fewer but not weaker, but what dealt with me were pregnancy symptoms.

The morning sickness never stopped like mother said it might. I threw up my bowels every morning and felt weaker than usual. Auren stopped his court duties, handing them to Draven, so he could be with me.

Mom always prepared me for a painful birth, but I never thought it'll be this painful. Not like this.
The pain comes in waves, each one stronger than the last.

I grip the edges of the birthing bed so tightly my knuckles turn white. Sweat beads on my forehead and roll down my temples. Nine months of waiting, of growing this child inside me, of dealing with immense pregnancy hormones, all lead to this moment.

Another contraction rips through me. I bite back a scream, turning it into a low, guttural groan instead. My mother stands on my left, one hand resting gently on my shoulder while her other hand channels soft rose-gold light into my body, easing the worst of the pain. Aunt Mira stands on my right, her usual sharp expression softened with concentration as she murmurs ancient witch spells under her breath, strengthening my body and calming the storm of magic swirling inside me.

“You are doing well, Haven,” Mom says, her voice steady and soothing like a lullaby. “Breathe through it. The baby is strong. I can feel its power pushing to meet the world.”

Aunt Mira nods, her striking blue eyes focused. “The child carries both bloodlines. It fights to be born just as fiercely as its parents fight everything else. Keep breathing. Do not push yet, not until you get our signal.”

The nurses move around the room with quiet efficiency, bringing fresh cloths, warm water, and herbs steeped in healing potions. One of them wipes my forehead with a cool cloth while another checks my progress.

“Almost fully dilated, Your Highness,” the head nurse reports calmly. “It will not be long now.”

I nod, unable to speak as another contraction builds. This one is sharper, deeper. I feel the baby turning, pressing downward with determination. A low cry escapes my lips despite my efforts to stay strong.

Mom leans closer, her silver hair falling like a curtain around us. “I am here, my brave girl. You are not alone.”

I try to follow her guidance. I reach for the fae magic inside me, the cool, silver-threaded power that feels like starlight and growing things. I let it mingle with the golden dragon fire that has become so familiar. The two powers braid together, easing the burning pressure just enough for me to breathe through the contraction.

Aunt Mira’s hand rests lightly on my belly. “The baby is healthy. Strong heartbeat. No distress. You are ready, Haven.”

The pain crests again, fiercer this time. I bear down instinctively, every muscle in my body working with the contraction. A raw cry tears from my throat as I push.

“That is it,” one of the nurses encourages. “Push with the wave. Good. Good.”

Mom’s voice stays with me, soft and steady. “You are so strong.”

I do.

The pressure builds to an unbearable peak. I feel the baby moving, sliding downward. Sweat stings my eyes. My legs tremble from the effort.

Mira’s magic flares brighter. “One more big push. The head is almost out.”

I gather every ounce of strength I have left, every bit of love I carry for Auren and for the child we created together. I push hard, a long, powerful push that feels like it lasts forever.

Then, suddenly, the pressure releases.

A sharp, healthy cry fills the room.

The baby is here.

I collapse back against the pillows, gasping for air, tears already streaming down my face. Mom laughs softly with joy, her hands still glowing as she helps the nurses with the final moments.

“It is a girl,” Mira announces, her voice thick with emotion as she carefully lifts the newborn. “A beautiful, strong girl.”

They place her on my chest immediately, warm and wet and squirming. Her cry is loud and fierce, full of life. Tiny hands wave in the air as she roots instinctively against me.

I stare down at her through blurry eyes, heart so full it feels like it might burst. She has a tuft of dark hair with the faintest silver streaks, just like mine. Her skin is flushed from birth, but I can already see hints of golden warmth beneath it, dragon blood making itself known.

“She is perfect,” I whisper, voice breaking. I cradle her close, pressing a trembling kiss to her forehead. “Hello, little one. Welcome to the world.”

Mom leans down, tears shining in her silver eyes as she looks at her granddaughter. “She’s beautiful.”

Aunt Mira watches with a rare, soft smile. “She will be trouble, this one. Just like her mother.”

The nurses work efficiently around us, cleaning and checking, but my entire world has narrowed to the tiny girl in my arms. She quiets as I hold her, her cries turning into soft, hiccupping sounds. Her eyes, when they open briefly, are a stormy mix of gold and silver.

Another contraction hits as the afterbirth comes, but it is nothing compared to what I have just endured. Mom and the nurses handle it quickly while I focus only on my daughter.

When everything is done and the room grows calmer, I lie back with my baby nestled against my bare skin, skin to skin. Exhaustion pulls at me, but joy keeps me awake.

Commotion from outside fills the room and before I can ask what is happening, Auren barges in and goes straight to us. He cradles us in his arms and stares at us like I just gave him the world.

“Thank you, little flame," he mutters, his voice teary and soft.

I'm exhausted. I let sleep take over as the nurses tidy up and Auren fawns over the child.

\~~~

I stare at Auren as I breastfeed our daughter, Annaleigh. He's sound asleep after having to watch her all day and into the night so I could get some rest.

Tears fall down uncontrollably at what I'm about to do, the future I'm about sacrificing and the pain I'll leave Auren in. But it must be done.

" Take care of our baby, Auren," I whisper into the silence of the room, filled with his soft snores and her suckles. " I know you'll make a great father. Forgive me for leaving like this, but this is the only way."

When my daughter has had her fill, I carefully place her in her cot and head towards the window, refusing to look back at my family.

I take out my wings and fly to the ground, stopping before the two cloaked men.

" I'm ready.”

\~~~~
END OF PART ONE!

KEEP ON READING FOR PART TWO. WHAT HAPPENS
? DOES HAVEN SACRIFICE HERSELF? DOES AUREN AND THE BABY LOOSE HER FOR GOOS.

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