InSpire (Spire Chronicles Book 1)

by April Wood

“You are a clever vixen,” he whispered in her ear then kissed her cheek.

  “I’m also about to be a mother again.” The rush of warm liquid filling the bed was a dead giveaway. He jumped out of the bed and stood there for a moment with his mouth open. Once it registered he bolted out the door still in only his pajamas. At least he had managed to put himself back in before he walked out. Rolls of pain started to wash over her body. This one was going to be quick.

  “Your Majesty,” the doctor said as he deeply bows.

  “No time. Get over here.” Athena was breathing heavily as her body was swamped by pain. He came over to the bed and lifted her gown up. He didn’t even put a finger in Athena. He simply threw his jacket off and started barking orders.

  “I need towels, warm water, and two nurses. Get them here NOW!” The guard didn’t hesitate. Moments later the room was alive with people buzzing. It would normally bother Athena, but the pain was so intense she didn’t have time to think about the fact that her personal parts were on display.

  “Doc, I have to push!”

  “Let me check,” he said, sliding on the bed and looking between her knees. “Well, the baby has hair.” He chuckled a little. “On your next contraction, push.”

  It only took seconds for the next one to hit. She bared down with all her strength. The baby came out like a fire cracker. Athena heard her cries fill the air only five counts into her push. The doctor wrapped her up and handed her to the nurse. Athena wanted to hold her but he steadied her legs.

  “We are not done!” His tone suggested that of authority. Darian had moved over to where Sabine was. He was cooing over her until he heard the doctor. Then he spun around.

  “What do you mean?” he asked the doctor.

  “There’s another one coming.”

  “What?” Athena screamed in surprise.

  “Push, Your Majesty.” The doctor was between her legs looking much like a catcher at a baseball game.

  She gave him a queer look then felt what he was talking about. The need to push was so great she couldn’t argue with him. She bared down with all her strength even letting out a scream on the eight count. Then she felt a pop. The doctor spun around quickly handing the baby off to the nurse. The baby wasn’t really crying. It sounded more like a dove and less like a baby.

  “What is it?”

  “It’s a fine boy, Majesty.” The doctor was smiling. It made her heart settle down a little.

  “Why do I still feel pressure?”

  “Let me. Oh,” he replied.

  “Oh what?”

  “Ready to push again?” he asked with a smile on his face.

  “I can’t.”

  “Yes you can,” Darian said, sitting beside her cuddling their baby girl. “We believe in you.”

  That was all the encouragement she needed. She gritted her teeth and bared down one more time. She pushed until the six count before she felt the release of pressure. The baby was in the doctor’s arms and out in seconds. The nurse took the bundle to clean.

  “Well?”

  “Majesty, you have two lovely girls and one fine boy.” He smiled broadly then patted Darian on the back. When they were all done he wiped his hands off then headed out the door. Her body felt much like it had been run over by train, but she had three beautiful children.

  “Athena, I’d like you to meet Sabine, Charles, and Melinda,” Darian said, pushing their basinets over to her. They all looked so precious, but nothing alike. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting. They were definitely fraternal twins not identical.

  Sabine was a beautiful white haired, green eyed girl. She looked a lot like Liz. Charles was the spitting image of his father, right down to the black wings. Melinda looked like Athena’s mother. She had bright red hair and grey eyes. Her wings were luminescent. They weren’t really white or grey. They almost appeared pink in hue.

  “Now what?”

  “First we change the bedding. Then you dress.” Darian was busy loving his children. She looked down and saw the mess she was and the mess she created. She went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. Being away from the babies too long wouldn’t be good. Her breasts were already starting to ache with the need to feed them. She grabbed a gown and headed back to them. The staff had already changed the bedding by the time she came out.

  “Better?” she said, walking by Darian.

  “Much. Sabine is hungry, but the others are content to sleep.”

  “Good.” She took her left breast out as he put Sabine in her arms. She latched on without any hesitation. It felt good to nurse her daughter. She wanted to enjoy it, but the events earlier were weighing heavy on her mind.

  “What’s wrong?” Darian had picked up Charles and was rocking him the chair slowly.

  “I have something to tell you.”

  “I figured. Spill it.”

  “Earlier, when we were, well you know.”

  “Yes?”

  “I visited Olivia again.”

  “What?” She could tell he wanted to shout but he held back because of the baby.

  “She said she is coming soon.”

  About April Wood

  My writing career began long before I knew what I wanted out of life. Poetry was my saving grace in high school. It started a fire that took twenty years to take off. Now I can’t imagine my life without all the characters I have created in it. My husband has made it so my writing can be the main thing I concentrate on. I couldn’t do this without him, nor would I want to. For now we live in Maine with our four dogs, five guinea pigs, one cat and three kids. It’s a full exciting life and I wouldn’t trade it. If you enjoyed this book please take a look at the next up. I can’t wait to share more of myself with you, the reader.

  Don’t forget to support your favorite authors by giving reviews.

  Other books by this author

  (The Mist Series)

  Outside the Mists of Time

  Beyond the Mists of Time

  *

  (Enticing Series)

  Enticing

  Endless

  Tempestuous

  (The Cast Series)

  Blood Cast

  Wind Cast

  Stone Cast

  Fire Cast

  *

  (Dale Series)

  Bound in Mirendale

  Grown in Gorendale (March 2015)

  The Air in Evondale (Dec 2015)

  *

  (Changes Series)

  A Vampire’s Eyes

  Vampire’s Breath

  Vampire’s Blood

  Vampire’s Love

  Vampire’s Strength

  For the love of an Angel (June 2015)

  It happened in a Dream (July 2015)

  (Co-Author works) w/Elizabeth St.John

  Tempted by Fairies

  Washed up, A Merman’s Tale

  Country Strong

  Lover’s Bound

  Contact this author

  Email: apejaywood@yahoo.com

  Twitter: https://twitter.com/apejaywood

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoraprilwood

  Web page: http://www.aprilwoodauthor.com

  Excerpt from my next upcoming Novella Red Moon Shadows:

  “Yet another reason why we need to meet. Riona is fated to be the next high priestess. As you can see she is bound to Tomlin. It has not been done in our past, but Tomlin is himself a priest. His mother is one of our most regarded priestess. Their one off spring will be powerful indeed. And I have no doubt Tomlin will be a great asset to her,” mother stated.

  “Even so it has never been done, Deheune.”

  “Meredith, I understand your trepidation. However, times must and always do change. We must change with them. Given the heartache and torture that came from my one chance I would think you would welcome a bound priestess. There is less chance for the mistakes of the past to be recreated. We could put this to a vote, however, I am not inclined to do so. Treachery has been in our group,” she said, looking stra
ight Amel. So not all was forgiven there. It would be something she could never undo.

  “Because of this I have decided to rewrite this one part of our laws.” She called Andesis to her. The group gasped when they saw it. They were expecting her to have Andess. They didn’t know Andess was mine now. That was another sticking point. Mother pointed Andesis at the stone across from her. I hadn’t noticed until then there were words engraved in the stone. She destroyed the line at the top and put up new markings. As she did we all felt as if a chain broke around us and hit the ground. It was like having a heavy burden lifted from your shoulders. I took a deep breath as it passed. When she was done she let Andesis go.

  “There will be no more argument on the subject as it is written in each of our souls,” she said, sighing and taking a seat. It was obvious that one act took a lot out of her.

  “I have something I must present to this circle,” Carolyn stated. Deheune motioned for her to join her in the center. She walked gracefully toward her. The pink train of her gown made a lovely pattern in the grass. When I looked closely it was a rose. This must have been the mark of her family. She sat down beside Deheune.

  “Please proceed,” mother stated.

  “Incident occurred before I returned home. As much as I fought against my husband’s advances, he did finally take my virtue.” There was a collective gasp and then she continued. “As vile as that is it seems he did more than that. Currently I am about a month with child. I need this council’s advice. How should I proceed.” Then she sat down. My mother took her hand and stroked it lovingly. Amel just watched. I saw she was wrestling with her emotions. It was her fault this happened to Amel.

  “How do you feel about it?” Tomlin asked.

  “Brother, I’m not sure how I feel. Right now I am so sick I can hardly move. Deheune tells me this is a normal part of carrying a child. I am hopeful she is right,” Carolyn answered.

  “Is it your will to carry the child until term or not?” Meredith asked harshly. I was beginning to think the woman could do nothing else.

  “Honestly, I can’t answer that. I avoided him for so long because of my fear. I don’t want to bring any evil into this world, but is it worth the risk? This child could be a fair member of our circle. How can we tell?”

  “There is no way to tell, iníon.” Amel stood and walked over to her daughter. At first Carolyn shied away. Then there was a connection between them. She couldn’t hold this against her mother. Not now that she had lived through her own torture.

  Amel sat down next to her daughter. She put one hand on her belly and closed her eyes. Deheune joined her. Soon all twelve people sitting around us where apart of the touching. Tomlin and I sat there holding hands. I didn’t feel like I was a part of this exercise. I wasn’t even sure what they were doing. It was the strangest thing I had ever seen.

  “Join us,” mother said. Tomlin stood up and took my hand. We walked over to the circle and found a place behind Carolyn. Tomlin put his hand on her shoulder and I put my hand on her back. The healing that was going on was potent. It was even stronger than the first connection. It was clear she needed this.

  I closed my eyes and went along with the rhythm. At some point my body was exhausted and sleep took me.