Chapter Fourteen
Handing the attending nurse one more vial of Elixir F, I hurried to my room to find anything that could help Aurora during the birthing process - sedatives, antiseptics, as well anything to help with the pain.
Thirty-three weeks was too early, even for twins and I was ill-prepared. But I didn’t trust myself to remain calm by her side, relying on others to deliver all of the medicinal tools at my disposal.
Having become accustomed to assisting in the birth of children in Hyperion after wanting to see the effects of Elixir F first hand, I knew I was qualified to assist. But my skills and my heart were not always aligned. One slight falter in judgement could prove fatal, and I wasn’t willing to risk any of their lives.
For what seemed like many hours, I sat on the floor just outside the door - all the while my little Sun didn’t cry out in pain once. I hoped my elixirs were helping. It hurt that only maids from Thanases were with her. There were no friends by her side - no family.
Sitting there on the floor was all I could do, praying to Thanatos and Hypnos and waiting to hear the signs of healthy babies and a healthy mother.
Sconces of the corridors were lit with quick flicks from servants as they passed me by, signaling that the sun had set. How I hoped that wouldn’t be an omen as I continued to sit, my back as stiff as the stone behind it.
But then…
There… my exhausted mind lit up as faint wailing traveled through the door. A baby’s cry echoed into my heart as my cheeks became soaked.
They sound healthy.
Standing to my feet, I moved closer to the door to listen for the second baby but the cry never came.
When the door nudged open I immediately rushed in, barely acknowledging an apology to the maid I ran into. I didn’t have time for polite formalities.
The world fell silent and heavy on my shoulders as I took in the appearance of the bed. The maids were still rushing to bring fresh sheets and warm water to clean up. I couldn’t care less about the mess.
A never ending stream lit my cheeks on fire as I was met by my little Sun’s eyes - alert, bright, and alive. She survived and in her arms were two small bundles wrapped in the soft blankets I made. One was still whimpering from the traumatic experience of coming into this life, their hand occasionally reaching up to grasp at the air. The other was silent, but Aurora’s face remained light as she smiled.
“Come meet your niece and nephew,” she said and tilted her head to the spot beside her.
How was I breathing? How was my heart beating? How was anything normal when I faced the two most beautiful babies I had ever seen?
“Elek and Celina,” she introduced, leaning her head towards each as she said their names. A boy and a girl, the sex already determined by their less-than full dragon blood. But they were perfect nonetheless.
Celina’s patch of golden hair rested neatly on her head as she continued to whimper from just coming into the world. I already knew, from the moment her golden eyes, with a hint of amethyst around the pupils, locked into mine she would have me wrapped around her tiny finger. And I couldn’t wait for that.
Elek was completely different. His aura, his demeanor, his expression. The patch of black hair matched that of Alexius, to the exact shade. He didn’t cry, not even a sniffle or whimper as his amethyst eyes with gold rings, contrasting perfectly with Celina’s, locked onto mine as if he were taking in all of my appearance with an analyst’s mind. He was someone I hoped to guide.
Even though I wanted to care for the twins, my priority was still my little Sun. For the next few months she would be the only being to have my full attention.
