by Trina Bates
“There’s too much, I can’t stop it. Rhett!” Blue screams, her tortured voice filled with agony while she keeps her hands on Mira trying to weave spell after spell under her breath. Rhett races over to her the few feet dropping hard to floor begin the bed, placing one hand over Blue’s, lending her his own magic, and strength, and the other on her belly.
Ebbin, Merrick, and I all stand stoic, addled with fear, holding onto our daughter, all of us touching some part of her. I watch on with shaking hands, so much so that Ebbin takes little Alyria out of my arms. I let him, barely understanding what’s going on around me. I’m shocked, and there’s nothing I can do. We all feel helpless to save our mate.
-Get her to me now!- The somewhat familiar voice screams into all of our minds. Somehow I know it’s Grunwald, but I can’t think straight enough to get a thought out.
“Grun, we can’t. She’s too weak, there’s little left in her. Blue and Rhett are trying to heal her but we can’t,” Merrick’s pain filled voice reaches me, the rage and despair he holds pulls me from my own shocked state.
Turning my head to him I can only shake my head over and over. “I’m worthless, we all are. What can we do??!” I all but cry then drop next to Rhett, pulling Mira into my arms, holding her sleeping, weak body. She lost consciousness and I didn’t even know it.
-There’s something inside of her that tore, it can’t heal without getting the child’s placenta out. I can’t feel her consciousness, she must awake and push more,- Grun says with urgency.
He wants to be here, helping but he’s just a tree. I can’t imagine what the fatherly figure is feeling right now. Being here, still helpless is hard enough, but being roots to the ground, only hearing bits and pieces, feeling all of the wrong that's going on around us, but not seeing, not moving. I feel for him.
I try to shake Mira awake as he said, but to no avail. She’s lost too much blood. Her skin is so pale and clammy. She’s not going to make it if Rhett and Blue can’t do something, and fast.
-Bring. Her. To. Me!- Grun shouts so loud to us once more I wince and grab the sides of my head from around Mira.
“We can’t Grun, she won’t wake and we can’t risk moving her right now,” I say defeated, quiet, knowing he can hear me.
-No.- Is all he whispers to us and then we all freeze with what happens next.
The ground starts to shake, a fearsome crack thunders through the air from outside and the floor we’re standing, kneeling and sitting on starts to vibrate with power. Screams of fear sound all around us, outside the house and in, and then just as suddenly as the strange occurrence began, it just as swiftly, stopped.
“Get out of my way!” Grun yells pushing us all away.
“Wait, Grunwald?!” My eyes wide, I am nearly thrown through the wall as he pushes me aside and kneels, as a man, a naked man in front of my mate, tears her from Rhett and Blue, their spells broken as they stare at the strange man with anger and then wonder. The massive arms of the chocolate skinned man with white hair so pristine it almost looks like a light blue, wrap around Mira, and a streak of light blinds us all within in instant.
The hushed words, calm, filled with love reach us all. The white light still shining so bright around us, none of us can see a thing.
“Mira, my little one, open yourself to me, take in all that I have to give you. Pull the light inside and let it trail through your veins, healing each and every wound, no matter how small. Breathe Valkyrie, my avenging Demon, breathe!” Grun begs and then the harsh intrusion of brightness that was once all around us, starts to slowly dim casting a light yellow glow over the entire room.
Mira, limp and still weak in Grun’s arms, her color is coming back, her breaths steadying out. I sigh in relief and pick myself up from the spot Grun pushed me in, and rush over to them both, we all do.
* * *
Grunwald:
I have been rooted to this very spot since before the Valkyries took place here. The connections I have carried with me, not only from other Spriggans, like myself, but those of the beings that have touched my connections have made life, bearable.
The knowledge I have gained from my kind, and the others has given me strengths, weaknesses and the power they have shared has embedded into me so deep, I have gained powers of my own. Knowing not of how to access them, or use them, I have gone about my ways, enjoying the sights I see through others and the comforting thoughts of those I have come to love.
Mira, though one of the newest minds I have felt in many years, swiftly linked herself to me, heart and soul. Like the child she carries, I hold that love for her. Feeling her distress, the pains her mates tried to dull, there was a void in her that no one could heal. But I could, I can.
Pulling from the immense system of links I share with the rest of this realm, I call on the gifts I have been given, that of healing and also those of others that have transferred into me. I pull an image into my mind of being like Mira’s mates, someone strong, commanding, good, and formidable. Someone that can heal the woman that has so willingly accepted who she truly is. A young woman that is my family, as they call people close to them.
I feel my roots dissolve in the ground, my connection to the other Spriggans, there, but in a different way than before. I can hear their thoughts, but not feel the binds that held us all connected us to one another. My core groans, snapping and shrinking, the twining branches I used to help Mira, pulling my new body and then the ground starts to shake, break apart and with a deafening crack in the night air. I fall to the ground, with feelings I’ve never felt before. Strange new legs as I’ve heard them called are weak beneath the body I try to stand on, it takes me a moment to get my bearing, and when I do, I stumble a few times before I burst through the air, trying to find my way into the thing they call a house, and to Mira.
The wounds in her body are worse than before, and there’s little time before she will pass on if I do not get to her. Using my large mass, I throw myself into the hard wood board in front of me, and look wildly around the room. Men and women, some I know, others I don’t jump to their feet with rage, confusion, and an alertness that impresses me. If there’s a fight to be had, I must make quick work of them. Though a mind I have sensed since Mira arrived reaches mine without a single touch and soothes the strange feelings I carry within.
-Go, I will keep them from you. Heal Miss Mira, please.- The large man says, his vibrant eyes taking in my body and when I look down, I notice I am in skin, and skin alone, with both cloths to wrap my body like the others are wearing. I nod once to him and open my mind to Mira and where she is in this place. I find her familiar scent, and touch of her mind and follow it down a narrow passage, throwing open yet another large piece of wood and shoving my way in, pushing Rhydian out of the way with more force than initially intended.
“Get out of my way!” I shout as I take in the terrifying state before me.
I grapple with the broken state of my wonderful girl and a strange wetness snakes out of my eyes. Tears, I think that is what they’re called, and they fall to the bedding bellow where Mira is laying.
“Wait, Grunwald?!” Rhydian says and I give him no mind. Explanations can come later.
I put my hands on her, cocooning us both in my healing touch, willing everything I carry to be put inside of her, and heal her where they others failed.
“Mira, my little one, open yourself to me, take in all that I have to give you. Pull the light inside and let it trail through your veins, healing each and every wound, no matter how small. Breathe Valkyrie, my avenging Demon, breathe!” I cry out, trying not to think of how eerie it is to hear my voice, and saying words, rather than think them.
The light inside of me dies away and I lay with my Valkyrie Demon in my arms on the strange softness that is beneath me. Brushing her hair away from her face I lean down and gently place what I hope is a proper kiss on her forehead and look to her mates, that I’m seeing with new eyes. My eyes. Not images placed inside of my mind by others.
“Who, what, what the fuck...Grun?!” The voice of the one Mira and I had played a trick on with the other Spriggans, Merrick, grinds out in a confused manner.
I turn my head, careful not to move to much and awaken Mira and then to the man that knew from the beginning, who and what I am. “I should think now is not the time to… go into it as you say.” The strangeness of my voice still odd to hear in my own ears.
“Wait, the tree? You’re the one that… nevermind.” The one that I had felt so much darkness from before states. She shakes her head when I look to her and then look to Mira’s men.
“She’s okay now, I can feel it. Let her rest for a bit, feed the babe, and I’ll be back after a while to check on her. Rhydian, I think you still have a bit to do… down there,” Blue laughs and walks out of the room with one last glance between Mira and I, and then shuts the wood piece behind her.
It is not my place to keep hold of their mate, I just can’t seem to let her go. Mira will always have a deep rooted place inside of me. Her child needs her though, and her men need to feel how her strength is returning. Closing my eyes and pushing myself into her mind, letting it flow through easily, I ask where there is more pain, and thankfully find none. My chest rises and falls heavily and when I gently start to rise, Ebbin, the one with the heart of pure light, shoots forward, taking her from my arms.
“Later we will discuss it. For now, I am here. Rhett, please help me find what covers your body so I do not make others feel awkward.” The silent, befuddled men all look to me and then laugh, shoving their friend towards me. He pulls me out of the room after pulling the wood away from the opening once more and takes me down the narrow passage. The next room he leads me in has a strange watering hole in the ground.
“Get in that and scrub your body big man. Get clean and I will bring you in some clothes,” he states pointing to the water and then leaving me alone to figure out the rest.
* * *
Mira:
My eyes don’t want to open, they feel so heavy. I know I’m in bed, wrapped in the warmth of Ebbin and his delicious scent, but I feel like I’m stuck here. Like I can’t fully wake up.
“She’s coming to. Bring Alyria here,” the relieved, whispered voice of Merrick says beside me.
Alyria? What?
A light cooing noise starts up and then the bed to my side dips down, and then a light weight is placed in my arms. I start to flutter my lids, still having trouble with opening my eyes and when I do I gasp at the perfect little bundle of joy. Bright, wise eyes staring at me. Little hands fisted at her cherub cheeks a full head of dark, almost black hair with a small sort of strip, blonde running down the side of her head. My heart swells and tears well in my eyes. Alyria starts to fuss and I know then she’s hungry. I’ve been asleep after pushing for her little body out. How long I’ve been out is lost on me, but I know in my bones, she’s hungry.
Pulling up my shirt, I place her where she needs to be and her hungry little slurps fill the air making us all laugh.
“Little piggy!” Rhett exclaims rubbing her cheek with one of his fingers.
“Don’t listen to him, little love,” I whisper to her and try to bite is finger but he pulls his hand away too quick. “When you grow into your powers, you can turn his Witchy ass into a real little piggy,” I laugh and it only grows when I see the sheer dread start to take over his gorgeous face. I stick my tongue out at him and give Alyria all of my attention.
Without looking up, still staring at the beautiful little one in my arms I ask, “So, how long was I out? I feel like hell.”
“About thirty minutes, not long. If it wasn’t for Grun, love, we might have lost you…” Merrick’s anguished tone pulls my gaze from Alyria and I look to him in utter confusion.
“What do you mean, Grun? Lost me… Okay, what’s going on?” My addled brain isn’t comprehending something, I feel so lost. I healed myself from what Caius said to. I pushed and pushed until my little love’s first cry could be heard, and then...nothing. Shit, something did happen.
“I can explain that a bit better, Miss Mira,” the all too familiar voice I’ve come to yearn for, the Spriggan that has been there for me in ways only a father can, someone that can make me laugh, give me advice, heal my heart and comfort me. He’s here, his deep voice in the same room. That’s when I notice him, entering through the door. A huge man, taller than my seven foot brother Gor. White hair, pure white eyes with no pupil but able to see everything from the way his gaze is somehow set on me. Muscles to rival Merrick's and a warm smile. Grun. Him coming in and standing in the room alone, he gives off that same feeling of peace. I could stay beside him for an eternity and enjoy how comforting his presence is.
“How, how is this possible?!” I choke out, trying to sit up with the baby still latched onto me.
“You achieved this, essentially. My love for you was enough to break free of my Spriggan roots. You were dying. I couldn’t fathom living in any realm where you were not. When other beings have connected with me, some of their gifts inadvertently transferred into my ever growing limbs. The knowledge some have shared, and that of feeling what others can do, gave me a sense of my own knowledge on how to become like you. It had to happen. If your mates would have moved you, you would have surely died. How are your wounds, do you have any ailments you would like me to heal?” His last question seems to push him forward, sitting on the foot of the bed with his hand outstretched and waiting if I say yes.
“No, I’m, there’s nothing actually, I feel great. But, this is all so confusing. You’re really here!” I smile brightly to him. I wish I could jump up and hug him, but not just yet. “Are you here, for good? Do you get to stay like this?!” I ask excitedly, hoping my eagerness doesn’t wake the now sleeping, still eating Alyria.
“The powers I carry are not wanning, though I do not know if that will change if I were to ever leave this realm. I do miss the connections of the others, others like myself before and the simple pleasure of feeling the nature all around me, it was in me, completely. Now, it’s gone.” Grun’s obvious sadness a losing something so crucial to who he is, apparent. My heart hurts for him. I stretch out my hand and grasp his, squeezing it, trying to show him, I’m here, we all are.
Laying Alyria down carefully beside me, I hold back a laugh when she starts to squirm, her little body seemingly searching for the warmth I just took away. Tsking at her, I gently lift her, cradling her head carefully in my hands and look at the proud, now fatherly faces of my men. Rhett seems the most anxious and with me being out for such a short period of time, I have a feeling he’s the one that was left out of the baby cuddles. I wink at him and nudge my head, smiling a toothy smile when he bounces on his heels and races over, ever so carefully taking Alyria from me.
“She’s perfect,” he whispers, kissing the tip of her adorable little nose and bundles her comfortably in his arms. He starts to sway on his feet, humming under his breath while he stares at her. It’s strange to think my jokester is such a baby man. He is in heaven and it’s hard to tear my gaze away from the amazing sight before me. Ebbin and Rhydian are behind him, staring down at her with awe filled faces. Merrick in front, rubbing her one little hand that’s sticking out of the blanket.
“Walk with me?” I ask Grun, ready to go out and see who all is cramped in the little living area. Everyone is no doubt worried, and it’s not lost on me, while I go to do this, I’m already leaving my baby girl behind. She’s safe though, and we might have a baby now, but there are other threats still lingering in our lives that have to be taken care of. I just hope we can weather through it without putting Alyria in harm's way, more than she already is.
Mira:
“You’re okay!” Torunn shouts, rushing up to me and hugging me tightly in her arms. She’s shaking and if I’m not mistaken, she’s crying. Pulling back enough to see her face, sure enough, there’s tears there, falling freely. She doesn’t try to hide them, instead, holds me tighter. Grun may have said I might not have made it
, but the meaning of that hadn’t really settled in until just now.
I’m surrounded by relieved friends, grateful family members, and then pulled from Torunn’s arms, only to be handed around to the next waiting warm body, embraced with love, and affection. Torunn doesn't try to hide the disappointment in her gaze when I turn back to look at her. I know what it’s about; the way Alyria was brought into this world. I'm not sure how she felt about me denying Alyria a traditional birth that Siv demanded of us, but her smile calms me when she sees how I’m gauging her reactions.
Regardless of traditions, I'm grateful for everyone that helped bring my daughter into the world. I know I made the right decision based on the relieved faces of my friends and family members. For all of that, I lay my head back and enjoy the moment of complete peace that engulfs me.
* * *
The next couple of weeks pass in a blur of, no sleep, lots of adorable Alyria moments. Bonding deeper with my men and learning about my magics, well beyond anything I could have imagined with the other Valkyries that I’ve met from Torunn’s training sessions that she’s let me sit in on. It’s been amazing, but with our time here coming close to an end, I can’t help but sit and worry about what awaits us back home. Is my father dead? There’s been no word from Apollyon about his demise. What of the Conclave and Ebbin’s father? I wonder if Warlen has found Ebbin’s mother as well.
Our lives, though filled with so much joy right now, are going to be turned around once again when we cross back to our realm. The inevitable is coming all too quick and with it, it means leaving behind, saying goodbye and going our separate ways with so many new family members. Today, Blue and her men have asked to be returned. They love this realm but they are all missing the finer things, I think that’s more Blue than her men since they’ve been trapped in ghastly beast forms for centuries in Hell.