Chapter 99

Julian

It happened so fast. One second she was standing there and smiling and then her waters broke and all hell broke loose.

That was several hours ago now and each minute was worse than the one before. She was in so much pain. The kind of pain that I couldn't even describe. All I knew was that I wanted to take it all away from her. I hated seeing her like this. Like she was being ripped apart by an invisible force.

"You're doing great Cassie." Ian murmured, pressing his hand to her rock hard stomach. "Not long now."

He had been saying the same thing for the last hour at least and even I was beginning to want to slap him. Crouched down by her head I squeezed her hand and drew it to my lips. "You're doing so well." I murmured and her eyes flashed at me angrily.

"Shut up." She snapped between her gritted teeth as another wave of pain washed over her face. "I think-" she cried out. Her cries of pain were getting louder and louder now so I was glad that these rooms were sound proof. If it hadn't been then the whole palace would have heard her.

"I think it's time." She managed to pant out. "Is everything ready?"

My mouth went bone dry and I swallowed with some difficulty. I wasn't ready for this. As much as I wanted the pain to be over for her and to meet my babies I wasn't ready.

"Yeah." Ian sounded strained. "We should try and get someone here."

"Cathy?"

"There's no time." Cassie shook her head. Sweat beaded her brow. Her fingers clutched mine. "You will have to do it." Squinting she stared right at Ian, who paled.

"I'm a warrior Cassie. I know some basic battle first aid but-"

She didn't say anything for a second, instead she tucked her chin into her chest and screwed up her face.

"Shit she's pushing." Scrambling up on to the bed between her legs , he lifted the blankets that covered her and paled even more. "I guess I'm going to have to learn to be a midwife."

"Do you think you can do it?" My voice shook.

"I don't think I have a choice." He leant closer to my wife's most private parts and a wave of jealousy washed over me. A low growl rumbled from my lips and Cassies eyes flew open.

"Now is not the time for jealousy." She hissed and at the same time Ian spoke. "I can see the head Cassie. Goddess. Julian look."

Keeping ahold of her hand , I headed south and my whole world span around me. As I watched my baby come into the world. The fear disappeared. There was nothing but an overwhelming fear as a tiny squirming bundle was handed to me. I held it gingerly. It was so small. So tiny that I was afraid I would crush it without even meaning to.

"You need to clamp and-" Cassie sounded tired and I turned to her in shock.  She looked sleepy , pale and trembling but the smile on her face was dazzling.

"You did it baby," I coed down to her. "You gave me a-" I glanced at the baby. And my heart swelled even bigger. "Son."

I had a son.

An heir. My line would not die with me.

"You need to clamp and cut the cord quickly and wrap him up." A fresh wave of pain tightened her features. "Give him to me."

"I can-"

"I am about to have another baby." She snarled. "Trust me I'm a doctor." She tried to joke but the contraction hit her hard and her voice faltered.

We worked quickly. Even though neither me or Ian knew what the hell we were doing. Time seemed to speed by.

"Two boys." Ian murmured. "You have two sons, your highness."

I wanted to shout with joy but I couldn't move or talk. All I could do was stare at the pale face of my mate as she held my twins in her arms and smiled softly, I had never seen anyone look like that.

So tired and yet so happy.

The baby on her left, opened his mouth and gave a grumbling cry.

"He's hungry." She said softly as his wails rose. But over the top of his cries of hunger another sound hit my ears louder than anything.

The tolling of a single bell. Over and over.

I froze.

"What is it?" Fear flickered into Cassies eyes.

I didn't want to answer her. It didn't seem fair.

"The king." Ian was already clambering off the bed. His face unreadable. "The king is dead." He turned to me. "You need to go."

I shook my head. This couldn't be happening. I wasn't ready. I didn't want to be king. I just wanted to be here with my new family.

My eyes fell on Cassie.

"I won't leave you. Not now."

"You don't have a choice." She said softly. "Go. We will be fine. Ian will look after us. But you need to -" a fresh wave of pain tightened her face.  "Ian?" She was too pale, her eyes drooping. There was absolutely no colour in her face at all.

"Go." The panic in Ian's voice couldn't be ignored. He kept looking back to the bed with nervous little movements. "So much fucking blood. Fuck." Turning to me he gave me a little shove. "Go and do what you need to do King Julian. Send Cathy if you can spare her-"

Spare her? "Is she going to die?"

"No of course not." He muttered. "I won't allow it but we will all die if you don't take control now. Go Julian, go NOW."

I knew what he was saying was right. This was the most vulnerable hour of my life and my decisions would decide whether my family would live or die.

"Don't let her die Ian." I took off at a run. The image of my mates blood soaking the sheets chased after me.