Page 72 of The Magic of Eternity
“Come, brothers. Everyone touch her. We’re going to lend her our power and hopefully, it will give her enough strength.” Sloane leaned down to her, brushing her wet hair back from her face. “You’re doing so good, baby.”
I walked as carefully as possible, not wanting to fuck up and drop the baby. Fischer’s eyes never left the little red head that was peeking out of the blanket against my chest as I sat down and reached out with my left hand, wrapping it around Goldie’s fist that was tangled in the blankets.
“Alright, my queen. Give me one more big push, let your mates’ magic fill your reserves and strengthen your body. She’s right here—she’s ready to meet you,” Balor instructed, as all of our hands lit up with our magic. Goldie’s own body took on a green glow and then a rainbow of color engulfed her body.
“Now! Push like hell!”
The scream that left her was gut-wrenching. My beautiful, exhausted, warrior woman. I begged whoever would listen to let this be it.She’s done enough now. Let this be enough.
A new screech pierced the air, and we all looked in amazement at the chunky dark-haired baby who was wailing her little butt off.
“You did it, Sprout! Holy shit, you did it!” Kai cried, tears streaming down his face. His smile was probably the widest I’d ever seen it.
“One more push, then you’re really done. You have two beautiful daughters, my queen. Cam, come here and hold this underneath her, like this.” Balor motioned to an honest to gods bucket.Since when did this become a barnyard?!
“What? What is that for?” Cam stepped next to Balor, who was cleaning off the still wailing baby as best he could.
“The afterbirth. Now, who is cutting the cord?” He looked around and landed on Sloane. “Would you like the honors?”
Sloane took a deep breath. “Faris?”
My Baby Fang startled at the sound of his name. “Yeah?”
“Would you? Cut the cord?”
Faris’ mouth fell open. “Really?” His entire face lit up, and it was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever seen.
“Yeah. I want you to be the one,” Sloane replied, blinking rapidly, and I caught the look of adoration it earned him from Fischer.
“Why?” Faris narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
“Because, I don’t want you missing out on anything anymore.” The grumpy mage shifted on his feet awkwardly as Faris stared at him, before speeding over and wrapping Sloane in a bear hug, lifting him a few inches off the ground.
“Thank you!” He put Sloane back on the ground and was beside Balor in a flash. “What do I do? Do I use my teeth?”
“I think we’ll just use these surgical scissors, if it’s all the same to you,” Balor replied in his dry tone that had me chuckling. He handed Faris the scissors, pointing out where to cut.
“Neither of them will feel this?” Faris asked, concerned.
“Nope, not at all. Just cut right here and then we can get her cleaned up.”
Faris grinned as he cut the cord, and then Balor whisked the baby over to the table. “Just keep that bucket right there, Cam. The placenta will be coming any moment now.”
I could see sweat beading Cam’s brow. “There’s a lot of blood, Balor.”
Goldie groaned, her teeth clenched. “Pushing now.”
“Sweet gods in the sky,” Cam choked out, and I couldn’t help the booming laugh that left me.
“Hey, Kai, you better help him out,” Sloane called, from his position over by Balor and Faris.
Kai joined Cam, and his expression was one I’d never, ever forget. Eyes wide in horror, mouth open in shock. “By the stars,” he breathed.
A plopping, squelching sound signaled the true end. It was what happened next that would go down as the greatest thing I’d ever witnessed.
“That is… the most disgusting— I... Oh no.” Cam leaned over and threw up next to the bucket holding the placenta.
“No, Cam. No, I’m a sympathy puker. Don’t do this!” Kai shouted, covering his eyes and ears with his hands. Cam stood and wiped his mouth, his face void of any color.
