sorts of reassuring noises while she eased Ava back to check her progress.
“Everything feels normal.”
Ava groaned. “Is it supposed to feel like a giant vise is trying to twist my guts out?”
“Yes.”
“Awesome.”
Malachi and Astrid spent half an hour in quiet conversation as Astrid timed Ava’s contractions and confirmed that the greatly anticipated babies would indeed be born on Midwinter morning. Ava tried to concentrate on whispering her spells and not killing anyone making any noises.
“Twins born on Midwinter. So lucky, canım.” Ava could hear the smile in Malachi’s voice.
“Yeah,” she groaned as another contraction began to build. “I’m feeling super-duper lucky right now. Thanks.”
“Just remember,” Astrid said as she watched the clock with a soothing hand on Ava’s large belly, “you get a prize at the end of all this. In fact, you get two prizes.”
Ava breathed out the songs Orsala had taught her as the pain came in ever-increasing waves. Magic filled the room as Malachi continued to press spells to her skin when he felt a contraction approach. Astrid was also whispering magic, but her focus was on the safe delivery of the children and Ava’s well-being, not necessarily her comfort.
Even with magic, it was really hard work.
The sun rose and Candace woke with it. She brought a tray to Ava and Malachi’s room with tea for Malachi and warm broth for Ava. She cracked the windows and aired out the room that smelled of sweat and ashes. As clean air swept into the room, Ava felt a renewed sense of purpose.
Her children needed to come .
She opened her senses and heard their minds. No words, but tiny murmurs and coos. New souls nearing transition into the world of men. Normally bright and innocent, her children’s soft voices were tinged with confusion and fear.
Ava placed Malachi’s hands on her belly and said, “They’re frightened.”
She sang, and Malachi drew along her skin as the glyph glowed in the morning light, gold shimmering on her pale, swollen abdomen. The contraction passed and the spike of fear from the children eased. There was still confusion, but it was quieter.
Ava laughed.
“What is it, canım?”
“Their voices,” she said. “They sound so grumpy.”
Astrid said, “I’m not surprised. It’s quite crowded in there and now there’s all this tensing and jostling. Come, babies…,” Astrid cooed to Ava’s belly and stroked a hand over the rise. “Come now, listen to your mama’s voice.”
Astrid started one of her healing songs, then motioned when it was Ava’s turn to join in. It wasn’t the smoothest singing she’d ever produced, but it seemed to get the job done. The next time Astrid checked her, she pronounced her ready to push.
AVA pushed. She pushed for hours. She pushed until Astrid began to frown and small lines creased Candace’s forehead. The gentle reassurances from Malachi were gone, and she could feel his attention focused tightly on Astrid.
“What does she need?” he asked. “Are there other spells I should be doing?”
“The children are not in distress,” Astrid quickly assured him. “I’ve been listening to them as Ava has. There are no signs of trouble. They simply don’t want to come out.”
“Oh my gosh,” Ava groaned. “I fail at pushing. This sucks .” She felt hot tears well up. “Serves me right for mating with the most hardheaded man on the planet. Of course his kids are being stubborn. They’re his kids .”
“Canım—”
“Don’t talk!” she snapped. “Just… no one talk. Unless you know a way of getting these kids out of here, you’re not allowed to talk.”
Astrid had a hand on her belly and felt the contraction building again. “Okay, Ava, get ready to push.”
“Didn’t I tell you not to talk?”
She could see Astrid fighting a smile.
“And no smiling either! This is not funny.” She clenched her eyes shut and searched her mind for the gentle songs Orsala had taught
Eleanor Coerr, Ronald Himler