Pain and shame washed over him and Riven let the illusion, the fallacy, go.
No.He would not cast the spell.There was time yet, to find a way, to figure out how to—
Nora snapped awake, her head jerking up.“I must go,” she blurted, and scrambled from the bed, reaching for her dress.
“What’s wrong?”Riven asked, propping himself up on his elbows.
Nora’s fingers shook as she laced up her bodice.She froze for a long moment, her face locked in a grimace.
Alarmed, Riven invoked mage sight, to see the cord coiling and seething, vibrating all along its length as it trailed out of the room.
“It’s time,” Nora gasped, and she was out the door.
Riven dropped back onto the pillows, puzzled, then turned onto his side to hug Nora’s pillow and inhale her scent.He had time yet, before he’d need to be awake.He drowsed for a bit, smiling at the memory of the night, wishing for a bit more sleep before the day started.
The baby’s firstcry rang out, healthy and strong.
“A son, a healthy son,” Plumestra, the midwife, announced as she held the new, precious life in her bloody hands.The noble ladies gathered around burst into cries of congratulations as the child wailed again.
Mira closed her eyes in relief, sagging against the bedpost, feeling her own exhaustion for the first time.Her hair dripped with sweat, her hands were covered with bodily fluids, but overall her feelings were of joy, a sense of wonder at the birth—
“I’m lying in my own filth,” Satia moaned from the bed.“See to me this instant.”
Three Bondmaidens surged forward, ready with clean linens.
“Don’t bother,” Plumestra announced cheerily as she handed the babe to the waiting wet nurse.“We’re not done.”
“Not done?”Satia asked sharply, trying to lift up on her elbows.
“We will inform the King,” the oldest noble lady said.“And see that the child is cleansed for the presentation.”The gathered women all bowed toward the bed before eagerly leaving the birthing room behind the wet nurse, who was making cooing sounds at the babe.Nora and Caris followed as well, watchful as always.
“The afterbirth, your majesty,” Plumestra reminded her.“We have to be sure you are cleaned out and ready for the next one.Keep your legs splayed.”
“Next one?”Satia sagged back on the bed.“I’d rather ahhhh—” gasping as Plumestra pushed down on her lower belly.
“Everyone says that,” Plumestra said.“Perfectly normal.”
Mira wasn’t so sure.She moved slower to the bed, taking Satia’s hand in hers to offer comfort.
Satia made a face and pulled away violently.“Stop that,” she demanded, naked and sweating against the sheets, glaring at Plumestra.“I’m done.Leave me alone, don’t touch me.”
Mira tensed, feeling the need to obey, yet knowing this needed doing.“It has to come out, Bonded,” she whispered.“Be patient.It can take up to an hour—”
“Patient?” Satia’s eyes were wild, dark pits in her exhausted face.
“Fine.You bitched and moaned the entire time until delivery, why should I expect anything less now?”Plumestra took hold of the birth cord.“I am going to pull on it.Push on her belly, Mira.”
Avice stepped to the other side of the bed, wiping the Bonded’s sweaty forehead with a cloth.“I’ve clean sheets and scented towels,” she said, softly, drawing Satia’s attention.“We will see to your comfort when this is done, I swear to you.”
“That was disgusting.I ache all over,” Satia fell back against the pillows, then raised her head to snarl Plumestra.“Aren’t we done with this?”
Plumestra was focused on her work.“Almost there,” she said.
“I’m tired,” Satia whined, “and I want you to stopnow.”
“Yes, yes,” Plumestra said absently.“Threaten to have me executed.That always makes you feel better.
Mira and Avice exchanged worried glances.
