Sired: A Dark Reverse Harem Romance (Ascension Book 3)

by Kenna Bardot

  "Wait, what?" As if on cue, a sharp pain burst through my lower abdomen, and I let out a gasp that had Shep rushing towards me and grabbing my hand.

  "There you go, darling. Contractions. They're not that common for Demiorgo-born Goddesses, but being that you've come from human roots, your body still recognizes it as a normal function of pregnancy."

  "Humans are in pain during childbirth? We did this to her. We're monsters." Char ran a hand through his hair, looking uncharacteristically ruffled. Who knew that all it took was being in labor to break through his normal calm?

  Outside, Hydra made a keening sound, which I echoed through gritted teeth. I took deep breaths when the pain subsided. "Not that I'm not grateful, but how did you know to come?"

  She moved through the men and walked up to me, grabbing my hand once she reached me. "Hydra, darling. She told Furor, who told Haisley that you were in labor."

  I let out a weak laugh. Of course, my dragon knew I was in labor long before I did. A dull connection on my end didn't mean that what she felt was any less than normal. She'd have been panicking the moment she realized.

  "Is that why she's been annoying the entire day?" Tate mused even as he shot me wide, panicked eyes.

  "That would be why," Jasmine said as another contraction overtook me. She guided me through my breathing and the moment the pain ended, she rounded on the men. "Okay, men, don't just stand there uselessly. Since none of you are Sutres, I suggest going to Hydra and asking her to boil several pots of water." Hollis rushed towards the kitchen with Tate at his heels and Jasmine turned to the rest of the men, "I have most of everything I need in my bag, but I can always use fresh sheets and towels. Get. Now you.” She pointed at Ryle, before he could slink away. “Carry Mireyah to bed."

  I arched my back in pain as Ryle stepped towards me. He laughed nervously and stepped right on back. "Now?"

  "Yes, now. The baby will come when it’s ready, and we need to be prepared. Be gentle now," she ordered when Ryle bent down to grab me from the stool I'd dropped onto the moment the first contraction hit. He picked me up easily, like I weighed nothing more than a feather, and I grabbed his arm so hard, my nails bit into his rock hard biceps when yet another contraction hit.

  "Breathe, Mireyah. Don’t hold your breath," Jasmine instructed as we went up the stairs. Ryle pointed out the door to our bedroom and Jasmine opened the door, allowing Ryle to enter with me before her. He laid me onto the bed gently and behind him, I heard the sound of a bottle being unstoppered.

  "Mireyah, darling, you need to drink this. It'll help with the pain, but I'm afraid it won't completely cancel it," Jasmine cooed as she approached and held a tiny bottle with a cloudy teal liquid swirling in it.

  "Fine, pour it in while I'm not dying,” I panted dramatically as I opened my mouth. She efficiently poured it in, cloyingly sweet with a slightly tangy aftertaste. I coughed a little as I swallowed when another contraction hit.

  "Mother of the Gods!" I roared it and outside, Hydra roared in unison. I could only imagine that the feeling of my giving birth was not comfortable for her either. After all, our connection was two-way.

  If she ever got pregnant, I’d strangle her.

  I did not want to experience laying an egg.

  ✽✽✽

  The next few hours passed by in a blur. At some point, I knew the sun had risen as the sun had filtered in through the bedroom window. My men came and went from the room and tried to escape the brisk, no-nonsense way Jasmine ordered them around. At some point, Tate got into the bed behind me, pushing against the small of my back to ease some pain.

  Char stood right next to me, his hands in mine. I squeezed it so hard every time the pain overwhelmed me. He became paler and paler with every moment that passed.

  "Mireyah, darling, I think we're almost ready to push. Remember to breathe. Ryle hold like this, just behind the knee. Shep, the other, please." Jasmine made sure my legs were far apart as she positioned herself between my feet.

  "I need to -" I panted out as the pain of contractions lessened to be replaced by an overwhelming urge to push.

  Jasmine's voice interrupted, "Push, Mireyah.”

  I pushed until Jasmine urged me to stop and breathe. Tears streamed down my cheeks and an overwhelming feeling filled me. I wanted to see my baby.

  "Okay, darling, push then breathe just like you just did." I felt every sensation, every bit of hope and joy and fear and pain as I pushed over and over with intervals of rest in between my contractions.

  "Breathe, Mireyah. Breathe," Ryle put in helpfully from where he still held onto one of my feet. I glared towards him as well as I could. "Ryle, you fucking fool. I've been pushing for what feels like hours. This baby is enormous. I bet it's yours. It just had to be yours, didn’t it?"

  From across from him, I heard Shep whisper towards Ryle, "Ryle, you idiot."

  "Shep?" I said through gritted teeth as I tried to breathe.

  "Yes, Mireyah?”

  "Shut the fuck up. You're all to blame for this."

  "One last push darling," Jasmine said over the tense silence and I pushed, prayed that it would be last and I could finally see my baby. One last push and a release. There was a moment of silence before I heard the cry.

  "You have a daughter," Jasmine announced as she stood and lay the baby on my tummy for me to see. I reached over and touched her toes, her feet. All so tiny and perfect.

  I laughed weakly, "Damn it, Ryle. She is a Karfi, you brute.”

  I paused for a moment, tears filling my eyes when her golden ones opened just enough to meet mine.

  “Hello, Tali.”

  Download the exclusive extended epilogue for a glimpse into Mireyah and her Sires' lives six years down the line and a peek into the new world they strive to create.

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  Have you read our InkHaven Academy series? Set in the same Universe, Zeevar's City-State consists of death, destiny, and rebirth. When Kaia threatens the balance, only the love of the Air Mages she meets at InkHaven can save her from the consequences.

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