Page 37 of To Love A Monster
“I took so many to my furs out of fear. Fear that I would never find my mate, but fear that I would. I was scared that I would lose them once I found my mate. I have seen what others face when their mates die and the mere thought of losing Aylin.” My mother stood on a small wooden chair and placed her fingers on my lips to silence my words. She often did this when I was younger, I used to hate it, but now I knew she would give me valuable advice.
“Daegon, stop this madness. You will drive yourself into a frenzy if you do not stop. You will not lose your mate, your babies will grow strong and healthy, and you will watch them happily. Stop being so scared that you will lose your mate, my son. If all you do is fear, then your life will be wasted.” I hugged my mother tight before excusing myself, my heart racing as her words swam in my head. I had to see Aylin, my mind so wrought with fear lately that I felt as if I had been living in a haze.
“Daegon?” Aylin’s voice brought a smile to my lips as I burst into our home, her hands full with the small tunic she was sewing for our unborn. “Why are you staring at me?” I answered by climbing into our bed and kissing her lovely pink lips, my hands cupping her face as I was careful to not hit her belly.
“I have been so lost in my fear of losing you, forgive me Aylin. I was foolish to worry. You are so strong, in your mind and your body, and I was such a brute to think otherwise. You stood up to your father and demanded he remove the curse he put upon you; you gave up your title as Queen to be with me. You walked through the forbidden forest and looked into the eyes of the one they call the Necromancer and saw goodness. You are stronger than me, my love.”
“You are not foolish to be scared, Daegon. I am terrified of giving birth. I fear the pain, but I am terrified that I will not be strong enough to endure it.” My eyes welled with tears as I pulled her into my arms, my hand gently resting on her belly.
“Daegon! Did you feel that!” She gasped as I felt something kick at my hand. I never had the pleasure of feeling my unborn child kick or move, my heart soaring as I kissed Aylin’s swollen belly. I felt a flutter as they moved, but this was a true kick of my unborn.
“They know their father is nearby. They kick wildly when you are close.” I rested my head carefully against her belly, a single tear falling down my cheek as I felt complete. For so long, I feared I would never find my true mate, but at this moment, I was holding Aylin and feeling my children kick wildly at my face.
“I love you, Aylin.”
“I love you, my sweet Daegon.”
A PURE HEART GIVES NEW LIFE
AYLIN
I groaned as Daegon massaged my lower back with his two fingers, the dull ache slowly leaving as his fingers worked their magic. For two days, I felt a constant low pain in my belly, the healer assuring me it was my body getting ready for birth. I knew that Daegon was still worried for me and our unborn, but he was doing all he could to ensure I was comfortable.
“Is that better, my love?” He rested his hand on my belly, and I felt it tighten, the ache returning as I winced from the pain. I knew that to have a child, the mother had to endure the pain that would bring life into this world. “What can I do to ease this pain, my sweet Aylin? I hate seeing you in so much pain.”
“Birth our babies.” Daegon grinned at my teasing nature as he massaged my lower back. I was so lost in the moment that when the healer called my name, I gasped in fright. Ornya smiled as she motioned for me to lie down, Daegon stepping back as she checked my belly. She pressed all over with her hands, the babies kicking at her touch each time.
“Are you sure, they will be safe?”
“No harm will come to you or them. It is natural to be scared. When I gave birth to Kaig, I was shaking from fear. My mate nearly went mad with worry, but as you know, Kaig is here, and he is now a father.” I smiled weakly at her words as I felt the dull ache return. Daegon climbed into our bed and sat behind me, his hands gently massaging the sides of my belly as Ornya excused herself.
“You see, Daegon, it is normal to be scared.”
“I know, but Kaig’s mate was only carrying one child, you are carrying two.” He kissed my temple as I rested against his chest, my mind racing as I tried not to think of the horrid feeling that was overtaking me. The Necromancer had spoken of my children and their lives, but they never mentioned if I was alive to see them grow up.
Daegon was too nervous to speak about my troubles, and Halla was still on her hunting trip with Krim. The only other person I could confide in was Soryn, but he feared even the very mention of the Necromancer. I feared that if I died during childbirth, Daegon would die soon after, leaving our children to be raised by Rogon and Daerla.
“My love? Did you wet yourself?” Daegon asked as I felt a gush between my legs, the furs soaking as I felt a rush of fear enter my body. Ornya said this would happen, and the real pain of childbirth would start once it did.
“Get Ornya! Hurry!” Daegon rushed from our home and called out for her as loud as he could, Daerla and Ila rushing in along with Ornya. “Daerla?” I whimpered as she took my hand, Ila rubbing my back as they could see the terror in my eyes. Both women had endured the pain of childbirth, but neither had birthed twins. The clan had only seen a birthing of twins once, but it was an orc who birthed them, an orc who had sadly died soon after.
“Just breathe, my girl, just breathe.” Daerla rubbed her hand along my belly the moment it tightened. The dull ache turned into a sharp pain across my belly and hips, my eyes closing as I felt them kicking wildly. My fear eased when I felt Daegons hand on my shoulder, his brow low as I could see all the worries of this world and the next in his eyes.
“Everyone out! Except for Daegon. Aylin needs space.” Ornya demanded as everyone obeyed without question. “Lie down, Lady Aylin, I must check you.” My heart was racing as I lay down, my belly aching as she used her two large fingers to check me, a small pressure building in my low belly as I bit my lip to avoid screaming from the pain.
“What is wrong?” Daegon asked as he saw the look on Ornya’s face, tears welling up in my eyes as another sharp pain ran down my back, causing me to cry out. “What is wrong!” Hearing Daegon snap at Ornya caused tears to flow down my cheeks, his lips resting on my temple as he fiercely apologized. “I am sorry my love, I do not mean to shout.”
“One of the babies is upside down, we will have to turn it, but it will cause great pain.” She said as she grabbed a leather strap from the wall. “Bite down on this.” She squeezed my hand before moving between my legs, a sharp pain shooting up my body as she inserted her fingers and pressed down on my belly. Daegon grabbed my hand as I screamed and bit down on the belt, spots forming in front of my eyes as everything blurred around me.
“Aylin! Open your eyes!”
DAEGON
Aylin! Open your eyes! What is happening!”
“The pain was too much, but the baby is turned. Let her rest Chief.” Ornya’s gaze was softer as she placed a large blanket of furs over Aylin. My fear eased as Aylin’s eyes slowly began to flutter open. “Just rest, my love,” I whispered as I sat down, my hand taking hers. Her face was pale, and her body was weak. She needed food or at least something to keep her strength up.
“Lie still, I will get us some of my mother’s stew.” I kissed her knuckles before excusing myself. A small crowd had gathered around my home, the whispers and tender glances almost comforting, but I hated their prying eyes.
