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“Things like that can be faked,” Dezar muttered. “It might not be over.”
“Let’s just get out of here.” Grux wrapped an arm around Scarlett. They had only taken two steps when a sharp pain rippled through her, and she stumbled, going down on her knees.
“Scarlett!” Grux cried. She gasped as she felt a great wave bursting inside her.
Warm fluid gushed out around Scarlett’s thighs, accompanied by a sharp twist deep in her belly.
“My water just broke!” Scarlett cried.
For the next few seconds, all the men shared glances that hopped from face to face as every single one of them tried to figure out what to do.
“Please,” Meshka said calmly. “Let me help her. It’s obvious none of you men have the faintest idea what to do.”
“I don’t trust you!” Grux snapped.
Meshka nodded. “Fair enough, but Scarlett needs help, and you have no time to call on anyone else. I doubt other Xoyosans would help you, anyway. Tell your men to stand down.”
Grux looked down at Scarlett, and she nodded, pleading with him to let Meshka help. Even though they had kept her prisoner, Scarlett really didn’t think they would let her or the baby die, especially not after they let her go to the doctor to take good care of the baby.
“Stand down,” Dezar snapped reluctantly.
His men lowered their guns, and they removed the Flemlars’ rifles. Meshka immediately ran to Scarlett.
“Breathe, girl,” Meshka said. “Just breathe. Can you lie down?”
Scarlett looked around the room at all the men with shocked faces and drawn weapons. “Not… here. Please?” she whispered.
Meshka nodded and hauled Scarlett to her feet. “This way,” Meshka said, ushering her into a parlor. As Scarlett carefully lowered herself to the floor, Meshka found a blanket that she put under Scarlett, making her as comfortable as possible.
“Grux!” cried Scarlett as the first contractions began to ripple through her. To her relief, he hurried through the door, putting his weapon down as if it was barely an afterthought. Scarlett wondered if the men outside were still pointing guns at each other, but that hardly mattered to her right now.
As Grux knelt beside her and took her hand, a sharp bolt of pain shot through Scarlett’s body, and she gasped, almost pressing her thighs together. Meshka held her knees, gently encouraging Scarlett to open from the hips.
“You must relax and drop your legs down,” Meshka muttered. Scarlett shuddered, holding her belly.
“It hurts so much.”
“I know,” Meshka replied. “But the birth will be easier if you listen to your body and to the baby.”
For the next few minutes, Meshka helped Scarlett settle her breathing into a steady pattern. Grux sat behind Scarlett, her back propped against his chest. Scarlett had never been so afraid, but she took strength from Grux’s gentle hold on her.
“Okay,” Meshka said, holding Scarlett’s knees. “Push now, just a little. We’ll see if you are far enough along.”
Scarlett gripped Grux’s hand and leaned back into him. With all her strength, she pushed down, feeling the baby move against the tightening of her womb. She cried out with a sharp sound that was almost a scream.
“That’s it!” Meshka encouraged. “You can shout, yell, scream if you like, just keep those breaths even.”
Scarlett gasped, trying to blink sweat out of her eyes. Meshka’s words meant very little to her. Scarlett was in too much pain. The only thing that was real was Grux’s warm grip on her hand and his body cradling hers.
“You can do it,” he whispered in her ear. “Beautiful, strong woman. Mate of a Lorr Prince, full of a warrior’s courage. You can do this.”
Grux’s words brought her strength, and Scarlett let out a ripping scream as she bore down against the pain. Her stomach rippled, the baby kicked, and she had to stop, panting desperately.
“Rest for a few breaths,” Meshka said. “Then one more push, and you will have your baby in your arms!”
Scarlett lay against Grux, gasping and making little cries of protest. It didn’t seem like enough of a rest when Meshka urged her to sit up and push again.
“Now, Scarlett, now!” Meshka ordered. Scarlett sat up and clung to Grux as hard as she could as she groaned in pain, pushing with all her strength.
