Dressing quickly, then tying her hair back and slipping a dilko on her head to keep it neatly out of the way, she finished and went out the door to Alliana’s chambers, excitement rushing through her. Andor, the attack, and Lucian’s tending to her were all forced to the back of her mind... for now.
When she arrived, Mikhal was perched on the side of Alliana’s bed. Her friend was sitting up and forward while her husband rubbed her lower back. Both looked up as she entered, Mikhal relieved, Alliana mirroring his feelings but with an element of fear added as well.
She rushed over to the other side of the bed and climbed on, giving Alliana a hug. “I’m sorry I was so long sweetie. Rowen’s baby was difficult. How are you feeling?”
“The pains are bad and I know they shall just get worse, and my belly becomes so very tight and oh, there was water or something that ran down my legs and... Natalya tis too early; I am frightened.”
“Oh sweetie. Everything you’ve told me is normal, the fluid too. I’m sorry I never had a chance to tell you about it. I didn’t think the babe was ready yet. Tis my fault; so much has happened, I haven’t been paying attention.”
Both knew a riff had developed between them because of the entire Hannah incident and the fact that Natalya seemed closer to Mikhal than Alliana herself was at times.
“I truly think it is time, Alliana. You have grown so very large so quickly and he became active early as well. I had noticed that you were carrying him lower too. That means he was getting ready. Twill be all right. I promise.”
“Are you certain? It has only been a bit more than five months. Shouldn’t it be nine?”
“Yes, normally, but honey, this is a magickal child. There is nothing to show me that you are miscarrying. No blood, no sharp rapid pains. He simply was conceived through magick and grew at his own rate. Looking at you I refuse to believe he is too tiny.”
Alliana’s entire body relaxed visibly because of Natalya’s assurances. They were just what she needed to hear. She smiled at her friend, hugged her quickly, then turned back to Mikhal, taking his hand and leaning into the one that was rubbing her back.
“See, I told you twas fine.”
Mikhal shook his head. Such a little imp she was. He had been telling her those exact words since bringing her up here. Suddenly, Alliana’s smile faltered as another contraction hit her, squeezing her middle and stealing her breath.
“Oh.” Her grip on Mikhal’s hand became crushing, as her eyes grew wide. Mikhal rubbed harder, trying to ease her discomfort, a worried expression on his face, and told her it would be fine, just hold onto him.
After the pain ended, Natalya looked pointedly at Mikhal, making it clear it was time to leave. His face crumpled and for a moment the mighty Master Vampire looked like a small boy begging to be allowed to stay at a party instead of being sent to bed.
“The last thing she needs is to stay in that bed and hold onto you. Alliana needs to walk, and my guess is that you would become far too upset by what shall be happening here. There will be pain, tears, screams, and blood, and even though tis all normal, I doubt you would fare well. Tis time you left, Lord Arcos. Birthing rooms are no place for a man. You shall see her again when she has given you your son. Now do as you promised.”
Mikhal let out a small growl of displeasure but held to his word, kissing Alliana quickly, but then had an idea. “Do you wish for me to stay, sweet?”
“Mikhal!” The shock in her voice said it all. Men did not attend the birth of their children. She’d only allowed his presence up until that time because she had been afraid.
“Very well. Summon me the moment I may return. I won’t be far.”
“As you wish, My Lord. She shall be in good hands, as will the babe.”
“I know that, Natalya, or you would not be the one tending her.” His tone held no threat, his words were simple, but deep inside Natalya knew that the Mikhal the Merciless of old would emerge if indeed something did happen to Alliana or the babe. The knowledge didn’t worry her though. Everything would be fine.
“I appreciate your trust in me. Thalia, please change the water in the ewer. I wish it to be cooler so you can bathe your Mistress’s brow. We shall need more clean linens and a kettle of simmering water as well. Send for them please.”
Her words were not meant to dismiss the Lord of the castle, not really, just meant to let him know that her work had begun and his presence would not be tolerated any longer. Mikhal, taking her cue, kissed Alliana once more then reluctantly walked out the door, and so the long night began.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Natalya waited until the door closed firmly behind Mikhal, and closed the drapes around Alliana’s bed to shield them from Thalia’s eyes. It wasn’t that she suspected the maid had any dubious plans or would run to the Master with tales of the necklace she was about to bestow on Alliana, but this was a secret kept between just them for the moment. She then turned back to her friend with a smile as she pulled the medallion from between her breasts. “Look what I was able to retrieve, and just in time too.”
Alliana’s eyes widened in shock, “You did it. Oh I thought there was no hope. Tis only mere hours until midnight.”
“And this will be around your neck just as it should be, when the day turns and you reach the age of eighteen.” Natalya bent forward and slipped the chain that held the medallion around Alliana’s neck. Alliana fingered it, and then looked down at the engraved disc, a look of doubt and confusion on her face. She then looked back at Natalya searching for answers.
“Tell me again, I feel as if I know nothing really, and when I tried my hand at magicks in the past, it was a disaster. I need to know more, Natalya.”
A pain hit her then, sharp, squeezing her around her middle and sending fingers of agony across her back. Natalya held her up and forward, cradling Alliana in her arms until it subsided, and then got off the bed much to Alliana’s dismay.
“Natalya!”
“In a moment sweetie. First we must prepare for the birth of your son. Twill be a long night honey and we shall have plenty of time to talk. Don’t fight me on this.”
Alliana nodded solemnly, she was frightened after all, and sat like a puppet as Natalya put a mound of pillows behind her so she was sitting almost upright, then lowered the silken rope with the large loop on the end over the bed. It would serve as a type of sling for Alliana to either hang onto or slip her body through to help her stay in position for delivery. Natalya then moved Alliana’s legs so she could examine her, assuring her friend that everything was progressing fine as she did so.
Afterwards, Natalya quickly pulled Alliana’s nightgown down over her legs, and then held out her hands. “Come, up with you now. Lying abed will not make your son arrive sooner.”
“Natalya it hurts to walk. My back aches and...”
“I know sweetie, but walking tis best. It will keep the blood flowing and your muscles moving. We shall simply pace the room. When a contraction comes, we will slow and you shall lean on me. Thalia will walk with us as well if needed.”
“Oh yes, Mistress. I shall help you however I am able.”
“Thank you, Thalia. You have become a good friend. I am glad you are here.” Thalia gave Alliana a nervous smile then flitted about, readying the things Natalya had asked for, as Natalya and Alliana began to walk the length of the room.
They walked, and paced, and walked, Alliana pausing as the worst of the pain tore through her, as her friend held her close about the waist and kept up a litany of encouraging words. Finally, when Alliana thought she could take no more, Natalya finally declared it was time she was put back to bed.
She examined her once more, pleased at how dilated Alliana’s body was in relation to the time between the contractions, then draped a fresh sheet over Alliana’s body, and placed thick folded linens on the bed beneath her. She then turned to see that Thalia had laid her instruments out precisely as instructed.
“Thalia, is the birthing cloth ready? The one Alliana embr
oidered?”
“Yes, Miss. I placed it in the chest when she finished it. Tis beautiful and will welcome the new Lord in a manner befitting one of his stature.”
Alliana blushed. “Thalia, you know as well as I do that I am no good with a needle, but tis customary for my son to have his birthing cloth when he arrives into the world, and so I simply did my best. Please fetch it.”
Thalia did as she asked, nervously moving around, wanting to do anything she could, but knowing there wasn’t much that could be done. This business was mostly the Mistress’s job and until the new Lord decided to make his way into the world, all they could do was wait and make her comfortable. She retrieved the fancy embroidered linen and returned to Alliana’s side, doing her best to smile encouragingly.
“Thank you. Now please go and have a servant fetch the cradle from the old nursery room and see to the linens for it as well. We weren’t expecting the new babe so soon and are hardly ready for his arrival.”
Natalya gave the order, dismissing the other woman, knowing she needed the servant out of the room for what she was about to say to Alliana. Seeing to the cradle was as good as excuse as any. The time for walking was through, and Alliana would be in strenuous labor soon. It was time to speak once more of her future and what the medallion held within.
Once Thalia had left them alone, Natalya sat on the bed, a huge smile on her face, her eyes shining like they held the glow of a thousand candles. She then reached towards Alliana and picked up the medallion from where it had been tucked beneath Alliana’s nightdress and began to tell her friend everything once more, with all the happiness and excitement as if she were speaking the words for the first time.
“This sweetie, this will give you more power than you ever imagined. It will make you more powerful then men, and even more powerful than your husband.”
Alliana shook her head, awed, still not quite able to believe that she, who had never had skills with magick, would now hold so much inside her.
“When the clock turns and you become eighteen years, the magick that has been held deep inside this medallion will enter your body and give you control over the elements. You will be able to make fire, air, earth, and water do whatever you wish. You shall be able to control them.”
“But how? I am no good at magick. We both know that. I want to know how. You’ve told me all the rest before.”
“That we do not know exactly. What was written, and then whispered from your Godmother’s grandmother, then to her mother, then to her, and then to me, simply tells of your ability. It does not speak of how.
“Be it waving your arms or a wand, saying spells that you must write, burning herbs, concentrating on what you wish, or... I don’t know honey, nodding your head or simply saying it aloud. You shall have to find out for yourself.”
Alliana groaned at her words. She had always been so horrid at magick, making a mess of everything until it was simply deemed best that she stay away.
“Why did it have to be me? You would do well with this power, but I... I am simply a bumbling fool when it comes to magick. Natalya I am frightened.”
“Tis nothing to be frightened of, honey; it’s something to be proud of. You shall learn, and as you do, your power will grow. Time will teach you and I’ll be here to help you.”
“But what shall I do with it? Make a breeze on a summer day? Start the fire in the hearth in the morn? What real power does it give me? I have thought on it and nothing seems so very wonderful. It is simply frightening. I am so inept, so much can go wrong.”
“Alliana, think about it. You control the elements. I know not exactly what that entails but you could create fire and burn the evil creatures that dwell here as they sleep. You can go back to the clan if you so wish in the future and make them prosperous by opening the earth to find minerals or gems, or use your magick to amaze those who pay to see us do our trickery.
“Why Alliana, you can conjure storms full of lightning and fury to stop a marauding band of villagers who are intent on beating or molesting the filthy Gypsies in their midst. You could even learn to stop an army. So many things, Alliana, so many choices, but for now that must wait. First, you have a babe that needs to be born.”
Natalya knew what she had just said carried huge ramifications, and thought perhaps she shouldn’t have made all the supposes she had, but she felt she had to be honest with her friend. The possibilities the medallion opened up to Alliana were endless if Alliana would simply think about them, and while it was true that some were for the good and some for evil deeds, those were decisions Alliana would have to make for herself. At least she had plenty of time to think about it. She certainly wasn’t going anywhere. She and Lord Arcos were getting along well, and had a babe on the way.
“I don’t want it!” The sudden vehemence in Alliana’s tone and the look of panic in her eyes broke Natalya’s heart, but she knew there was nothing to be done about the prophecy. She reached out and stilled Alliana’s hand as her friend went to remove the offending necklace.
“Tisn’t a choice Alliana.” At that moment another labor pain came over Alliana and her eyes welled with tears, not because of the agony, but because she was feeling so out of control.
“And neither is the birth of your babe. Hold on, sweetheart, it will pass, don’t fight it.” Natalya wanted to add, ‘And don’t fight your magick.’ but she held her tongue. Now wasn’t the time.
When the most recent labor pain had subsided, and Alliana was relaxed once more, Natalya moved Alliana into position, slipping her upper body through the large silken loop that hung over the bed.
“For now you may sit, sweetie, but soon we shall have you up and squatting. Twill make it easier for the babe to come out.” Alliana looked at her uncertain but Natalya simply smoothed back her friend’s hair and smiled reassuringly.
“I promise tis for the best.” That said, Natalya rose and went to fetch her labor tonic. It was made of birthroot, valerian, pennyroyal, and gingerroot, all the best things for a woman with hours of hard work ahead of her.
Looking at the full bottle, she said a small prayer of thanks that she had made several batches of the potion. Perhaps intuition had told her that she wouldn’t have time to make more in between Rowen and Alliana’s childbirths. Spooning it between Alliana’s lips, she then took the cool wet rag and dabbed it on her friend’s lips to moisten them, then wiped the beads of sweat from Alliana’s brow.
“There, all set. Don’t fret, sweet. All will be well, and soon you shall have a new son.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
It had been eight hours since Mikhal had reluctantly left his wife's chamber in anticipation of the birth of their son. During the interim, he had paced before her door, sat in Natalya's chambers, stood mutely in the hall glowering at the closed chamber door and anyone who happened to pass by, and ultimately paced some more.
In the end, he had retired to his own quarters, unable to stand the cries he heard coming from within. On Alliana's part, they weren't agonized screams of pain, but his vampire hearing heard them nonetheless and he knew louder, more heart wrenching cries, were sure to come.
After a time of sitting solemnly, drinking scotch, and staring into the fire, he decided that he was at last calm enough to speak to Lucian about the matter of blood exchanged between his most trusted man, and the woman who was so dear to his wife’s heart.
He called Lucian to his chambers, telling himself yet again that he needed to hold his temper and take the time to grill the other vampire once more over the events that had occurred during and after Natalya's attack before passing harsh judgment on him. That was how it came to be that Lucian was now sitting opposite him, speaking of the very matter he wished to discuss. The problem was, he couldn’t concentrate on the task at hand.
The assault upon Alliana's friend upset him deeply, for many reasons, all of which needed to be dealt with, but now, he simply couldn't focus on what his first in command was saying, no matter how hard he tried.
; "Sire?"
The questioning tone in Lucian's voice as he called his Master made Mikhal realize that Lucian must have asked him a question that had been left unanswered. How on earth was he expected to deal with this issue when Alliana was in another part of the castle struggling to give birth to their child?
"Yes, Lucian. What is it?"
"I asked you if you wished for me to go below and await a punishment you feel is befitting for taking the blood of one who is claimed by you."
Mikhal grimaced. He didn't like this matter, not at all. What had transpired had been needed, but it would change the relationship between Natalya and Lucian. That was what he found disturbing.
Oh he was certain the other vampire wouldn’t lay a finger on the woman, but they would have a connection, one Natalya might find it hard to ignore. He had decided long ago, when he had first seen the pair dancing around each other whenever they were together, that if there was to be any type of relationship it would be of Natalya's own free will. Now he had to question how deep the bond might go between Lucian and Alliana's best friend, and if it would affect her judgment and cause her to do something she might not otherwise do.
"Tell me of your intentions for the woman."
"Master! I have none. She is claimed."
"None, Lucian? You have no desires, no interest, no wish to further your relationship? I marked her Lucian; you on the other hand fed her. We both know that means something."
"But I do not feel as if she is mine, and would never presume such a thing. I never marked her, never laid claim. That was Andor's doing. I simply did what was needed to save her life. Would you have had me leave her to die?"
Lucian's tone held no disrespect but he truly was confused over the matter. He understood that his Master had every right to be enraged, he had broken the vampire laws, but under the circumstances, he truly hadn't felt that Mikhal the Merciless would see the need for punishment.
Beneath The Shadows of Evil... Torn Page 36