Page 57 of Riding A Cock-Horse
“I don't know,” Alastair murmurs. “It's not looking good, though. We need to get these women to a hospital, but how are we going to get them there?”
“We can't go to a hospital… they're not giving birth tohumanchildren,” Elise reminds.
A familiar bellow has my ears perking up.
“Nestor!” Arthur and I say at the same time.
“Everyone, stay here! We’ll go check it out!”
Together, Arthur and I race back to the shore. Nestor’s in his Loch Ness Monster form with Belle and Jude riding his back. She jumps off Nestor's back, and I splash into the water to hug her tightly to me. The Tersh shifts and both him and Jude place a protective hand on her shoulder. Unconsciously, both men are declaring her as their mate. I give a small bow to both, acknowledging their claim. As long as there's a place for Arthur, Theo, and myself, we'll be ok. Belle is asking a hundred questions per second.
“Yes, everyone got here safely. Yes, Elise is ok. No, no one else is giving birth. Yes, Gryff is fine. No, he's not an animal anymore. He's a human baby,” I answer.
At this, Belle squeals.
“Take me to them!”
I scoop her up into my arms and dash the short distance back to everyone else. Phineas has kindly brought clothing for everyone, and I can see the relief on her face to finally be covered again.
“I thought you liked being starkers,” I tease her.
“I never thought I'd say this—but I think I've had enough nudity for a lifetime,” she jokes.
All of a sudden, Alastair cries out and Jude goes running over to the woman who gave birth. She's gasping and convulsing uncontrollably. The two men try to ask her questions, but it's like she can't hear, and in seconds, she passes. All of us stare in shock—especially the four remaining women who are pregnant.
“Oh my god!” Belle sobs. “We need a doctor. We need a doctorright now!”
At this, Harry chimes, “Psst, paging Dr. Papa Roach. Psst, paging Dr. Papa Roach.”
Normally I would smack him because now'snotthe time for levity—but he's right.
It's Jude's time to shine.
“Jude—you're a doctor?!” I can feel my mouth gaping open in shock—but it's because I'm shocked! Jude doesn't even spare me a glance, immediately setting to work to help all of his patients.
And there's a lot of them.
He barks out a few commands to Jack, Harry, and Alastair before replying to me.
“Yes, I knew I was never going to get the respect of my kind; so, I decided to become one of the most prestigious professions there is in the human world. At least then maybe someone would think I'm useful.”
My heart breaks at his words.
Softly, knowing that he can't hear me, I whisper, “You have nothing to prove.”
I walk over to Sian, who is holding the squalling baby. He looks months old as opposed to just hours old. Once Jude sets Elise's arm and adds the makeshift splint from supplies on the boat, he turns to us.
“These women need to have C-sections or else they'll die, too.”
I look around at a loss.
“This is no place for surgery! It's not sterile, and you don’t have the proper tools. The women will surely die if you attempt anything!”
Jude nods sadly, clearly thinking the same thing, and I wonder if it would have been best if we had just left the women back at the facility. At least there—no.I shake my head at this thought.Nothingwas better there—they were chained down like animals left to give birth on their own.
Probably to die.
“We need to get them to a hospital. It's the only way!” I say.
