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"What is it?"

She pressed a hand to her stomach.

"I think—"

Another contraction seized her.

Blaidd was out of bed. Within minutes, he had summoned the midwife, sent for Myra, frightened two servants half to death, and nearly torn the bedroom door from its hinges. By the time Myra arrived, Fae was gripping the bedpost and breathing through another contraction.

Lisna took one look at Blaidd and sighed.

"Out."

He turned.

"What?"

"Out, Blaidd."

"I'm not leaving her."

"Then stop pacing like a wolf waiting to attack someone."

"The midwife said—"

"The midwife," Myra interrupted, "has delivered more babies than you have seen winters. Let her work."

Fae would have laughed if she hadn't been in so much pain and swearing that she wasnt doing this again. The first hours passed slowly.Then the contractions grew stronger.

By midday, Fae was exhausted. By afternoon, she had stopped trying to be brave.

"Blaidd," she sobbed.

He was beside her instantly.

"I'm here."

"It hurts."

The helplessness on his face helped more than the pain. He could fight warriors, command armies, and face death without flinching. But he could do nothing against this. He wiped her forehead with a cool cloth.

"I know, sweetheart."

"No, you don't!"

"No," he agreed immediately. "I don't."

She crushed his hand on the next contraction and he let her. When the midwife grew concerned about the position of the first baby, Blaidd's wolf surged so violently that the midwife had to step back. Myra caught his arm.

"Control yourself. Your caterwauling is not helping Fae. She's suffering and she needs you calm."

He looked at Fae. She was pale, trembling, and utterly spent.

"Blaidd," she whispered. "Don't leave me."

The fury vanished from his face like it had never been. He knelt beside the bed.

"Never."