Chapter 170 Freaking Out
Chapter 170 Freaking Out
Ryder’s POV
The morning had started like every other morning over the last several weeks. Training.
If I wasn’t with Brianna, I was in the training yard making sure every warrior inside the palace walls stayed sharp. After everything our family had survived, nobody had the luxury of getting complacent.
Steel clashed across the yard as boots pounded against the packed dirt. Grunts, laughter, and shouted instructions filled the air while warriors rotated through drills.
“Again,” I called, folding my arms across my chest. “If your opponent can predict your next move, you’ve already lost.”
A young warrior charged Atlas. He sidestepped with effortless precision, caught the man’s wrist, swept his legs out from under him, and dropped him flat on his back before offering him a hand.
“You’re thinking too much,” Atlas said. “Trust your instincts.”
Across the yard, Cassian corrected another pair. “Lower your center of gravity,” he instructed. “Stand that tall against a stronger opponent, and you’ll end up flat on your back.”
A few warriors chuckled before resetting.
For the next hour we rotated through defensive drills, weapon disarms, counterattacks, and sparring matches. Sweat soaked every shirt in the yard, exactly as it should.
I stopped beside two warriors circling each other. “You’re hesitating,” I said.
One nodded nervously. “I’m trying not to overcommit.”
“That’s the problem.” I demonstrated the movement, slipping past his guard before spinning behind him. “The opening only lasts a heartbeat. Don’t wait for it.” I repeated the motion. “Create it.”
The warriors nodded before preparing to try again. Then Alara’s voice slammed into my mind. “Ryder! Brianna’s water just broke. Get to the maternity room. Now.”
Everything inside me froze. Then every ounce of composure I possessed disappeared. “Brianna!”
I spun toward the palace. Stopped. Turned the opposite direction. “No… that’s not…” I spun again. “Where am I going?”
Atlas stared. Cassian sighed.
“My baby! Brianna!” I started running before stopping again. “I forgot where the maternity room is!”
Atlas pressed his lips together, clearly trying not to laugh. “Oh, he’s gone.”
“I’m fine!” I insisted while making another complete turn. “Everything is completely under control.”
“You’ve spun four times,” Cassian said flatly.
“I can’t think!” I admitted.
“No kidding.”
The entire training yard had stopped to watch me unravel. Cassian walked over, grabbed my shoulders, and looked me square in the eyes. “Focus.”
“I think I’m dying,” I said as I tried to catch my breath.
“No, you’re panicking.” He corrected.
“What if she needs me?” I shout as I place my hands on my head.
“Then let’s go.” Atlas stepped beside me with an amused grin. “We’ll make sure you don’t end up in the kitchens.”
“I wasn’t going to the kitchens,” I rolled my eyes.
“You were headed straight for them,” he laughed and shook his head.
Between the two of them, they practically escorted me across the palace grounds while I tried to convince everyone, including myself, that I wasn’t completely losing it. By the time we reached the maternity wing, my heart felt like it was trying to escape my chest.
The doors stood open. The moment I stepped inside, the rest of the world disappeared.
Brianna lay against the bed with pillows supporting her back. Damp strands of hair clung to her forehead while another contraction tightened every muscle in her body. The pain written across her face hit me harder than any punch I’d ever taken.
I crossed the room in seconds and knelt beside her. My hand found her cheek. “Hey.”
Her eyes immediately found mine, and some of the tension eased from her expression. “There you are.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here,” my eyes searched hers.
“You made it,” she whispered. A faint smile tugged at her lips. “You are here now. That’s all that counts.”
I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Are you okay?”
Another contraction answered for her as she squeezed my hand with enough force to nearly crush it. “It hurts.”
“I know.”
She gave me an exhausted smile. “No… you really don’t.”
I laughed softly. “Fair enough.”
The doctor entered, checked Brianna, then smiled. “Everything is progressing perfectly. Princess, you’re almost ready.”Almost. The word barely had time to settle before the room filled with people. Clara entered carrying folded blankets, followed by Orion, Theron, Kevan, Coban, and Caden.
Kevan looked me over before grinning. “You look like you’re about to faint.”
“I’m not fainting,” I rolled my eyes.
“You look haunted,” he chuckled.
“I’ve seen warriors calmer walking into battle,” Theron added.
“This is worse than battle,” I muttered, earning a round of laughter.
Atlas smirked. “You were spinning in circles five minutes ago.”
“I was thinking,” I pointed my finger at him.
“You were buffering.”
Even Brianna laughed.
I looked around the crowded room before finally realizing exactly how many people had gathered. I pointed toward the door. “Nobody is staying in here while she gives birth.”
Coban raised an eyebrow. “We’re family.”
“I know. You can all meet the babies afterward,” I said sternly.
Kevan chuckled. “Looks like father mode finally kicked in.”
Trixie smiled knowingly before motioning everyone toward the door. “Come on. Let’s give them some privacy.”
Elara followed her out as the others reluctantly shuffled into the hallway, still tossing teasing remarks over their shoulders.
Once the room finally quieted, Elizabeth stepped forward and knelt beside Brianna. She waited through another contraction before meeting Brianna’s eyes. “Princess,” she said gently, “on the next contraction… I need you to push.”