Page 61 of A Bolt of Magic

I start to agree, but Thesha says, “No, we don’t need you for anything. I am sure that Orion will want to be left alone. Besides, he has Damon. You will just get in the way.”

Maya gasps as another pain grips her, her hand clutching at the bedding.

I swallow my hurt and nod. “I’ll be just outside if you need anything,” I say, addressing the room but looking at Maya. “You’re strong. You can do this.”

Maya manages a weak smile, but Thesha’s response cuts through any warmth. “Just go already.”

“You don’t have to be so hard…” I hear Kyrie whisper as I turn and walk away before my carefully maintained composure can crack.

Where is Kian? Where did he disappear to? I’m sure he left because of…the stupid kiss. I wish it had never happened.

I begin to pace in front of the barn doors. Up and down, up and down. I feel useless as time drags on and on.

Maya’s sounds of distress grow louder and more frequent. Each cry of pain makes me wince, makes me want to burst through those doors and demand to help.

I hear approaching footsteps and look up to see Kian approaching from the cabin.

“How is she?” he asks before he reaches me. “Orion says that the baby is coming.”

“Yes, she’s still in labor. Xander left to fetch the healer.”

“I heard. Orion is frantic with worry.”

“I’m sure he is. There hasn’t been much change. The pains are growing stronger. Her labor is progressing. I have three younger brothers. My mother had Conner – my youngest brother – when I was fourteen summers. I can still remember it like yesterday. We also touched on childbirth in my studies. It gets more and more painful. The pains come closer and closer together, and then the woman gets the urge to push.” I don’t tell him that my mother nearly bled out after having Conner, and if it weren’t for healing magic, she would be dead.

“I have no experience when it comes to women having babies; only horses.” He shrugs.

I giggle. “Hors—”

Thesha chooses that moment to stick her head out of the door. “This is no laughing matter, witch. What could possibly be so funny at a time like this?” She glares at me. “Tell Orion thatMaya is progressing nicely,” she instructs Kian. “It shouldn’t be too much longer, but you never know.” She shrugs. “These things can take days.”

Maya grinds out a hard yell that turns into a deep groan.

“I need to go.” With that, she is gone, slamming the door.

“Let me update Orion. I will be back,” Kian says.

I nod.

Kian is gone for a short while before coming back to stand with me. Both of us stare at the barn doors as if we could will everything to be alright through sheer force of concentration. We stand like that for what feels like a long time. So long that I start to pace again. Kian sits with his back against the wood of the barn.

After a time, I join him since my legs are suddenly feeling tired.

“Where did you go?” I ask him.

He pulls in a heavy breath. “I just needed some time…alone. That’s all. I went for a walk.”

“About earlier—” I start to say.

“You were right; let’s forget about it. No harm done.”

No harm done.

Why do I feel like I messed things up between us? His voice sounds flat. Maybe it’s just his concern for Maya. Maybe I’m reading into it too much.

“I do need to talk to you about something—” he starts to say.

Another particularly harsh cry from Maya makes us both flinch.

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