Page 302 of May: Bloom & Bane

“I honestly don’t care who is in this room. Summon Zeus if it’ll get this baby out.” She sucks in a sharp breath. “I need to push.”

“If we’re being technical,” Damon drawls. “Runak is our god of water.”

Eden growls at him. It’s the most adorable growl I’ve ever heard.

He pauses thoughtfully. “And you definitely do not want him here.”

“Damon.”

“I’m trying to be helpful.”

“All right.” Therael’s expression softens as he kneels in front of Eden. “Listen to your body. Don’t force anything. Just⁠—”

Before Therael’s hand can even reach the edge of the blanket, my shadows burst outward, coiling around his torso.

He freezes. “Sage. Ashán,” he says slowly, lifting his hands up in peaceful surrender. “I am trying to deliver your daughter.”

“We are delivering our daughter.” Our fingers tighten around Eden’s thigh, drawing her deeper against our chest, our shadows shielding every inch of her from view.

“Protective instincts appear to be functioning normally,” Damon mutters under his breath.

Therael studies the shadows curling up his arms for a long moment. He smiles. “You’re right.” He gently peels one shadow from his forearm. “She is your daughter.”

He settles beside us instead. “I’m not taking her from you. I’m only here to tell you what comes next.”

We already knew that—we trust Therael with our lives—but the bond doesn’t care.

“It’s all right,” Therael says softly to the shadows. “I won’t touch her.”

Our shadows ease just a fraction, settling into a dark, protective ring around the nest.

“Do you want to change positions, ílyen?” Sage murmurs. “Or would you rather stay right here?”

“Here,” she pants. “Please.”

“Next time you feel the need to push, don’t fight the pressure, curl down, tuck your chin, and give her everything you have,” Therael tells her.

“I’m—I’m scared,” she whimpers, her eyes darting up to ours, shimmering with unshed tears. “Sage, Ashán—I don’t think I can do this.”

I reach up, my skeletal hand cupping her cheek. Sage presses our forehead against hers.

“Look at us. You are already doing it.” Tears spill down her face. “You have survived every wave that has tried to break you.” Another tear slips free. “This one isn’t here to break you.”

We wipe the tears from her cheeks. “It’s bringing our daughter home.”

She melts against our chest.

“I want my sister.”

Hurried footsteps pound up the stairs. Lumi drops to her knees beside the nest, Droot cradled in her hands. She brushes Eden’s damp hair back. Droot glows a soft blue, his wide eyes fixed on Eden.

“Hey,” Lumi whispers.

Eden crumples. “I’m scared.”

Lumi crumples with her, smiling through tears. “I know.”

“I’m not strong like you, Lumi,” she sobs.