Page 75 of The Royal Engagement

“It’s just back pain,” I say, trying to convince her.

She’s unable to respond as Lucien walks in. He stands at the front of the long aisle. Music starts playing and everybody stands for his bride’s walk down the aisle. When I stand, I feel something warm run down my legs. For a frightening moment, I think I’ve peed myself, but then I realize what’s just happened.

I tap Damek’s arm.

He glances at me but then looks at the bride walking down the aisle.

I smack his arm harder.

He turns to me raising an eyebrow.

“My water just broke,” I say as quietly as possible, but because we’re at avampirewedding, everybody hears. The music abruptly stops and everybody turns to look at me. I do my best to smile. “You guys should continue. Damek and I will just…” I shove at his arm, trying to get him to move. He doesn’t budge. He just looks at me, his eyes wide and his jaw agape.

Julien rushes to my side. “I’ll take you to the healer.”

Thatgets Damek moving. He grabs ahold of my hand and tugs me along.

“Good luck, Maddie,” Lucien yells from the front.

I wave at him.

Well, I wasn’t exactly picturing going into labor today at Lucien’s wedding, but at least he doesn’t seem upset about me disrupting the ceremony.

Julien and Damek both guide me from the room. Once we’re far enough away that I can speak, I turn to Julien.

“You don’t have to come. You can go back to the wedding.”

Julien smirks. “Are you kidding? And miss the birth of my niece or nephew? No thanks.”

“It might take a few hours. Labor isn’t always quick…” I cut off as pain shoots through my back. I have to stop walking and brace myself on Damek.

“Are you okay?” Damek asks.

I don’t answer him. I just breathe through the pain and squeeze his hand like I’ll get relief if I squeeze hard enough.

The pain stops as quickly as it started.

I stand up straighter. “We should hurry.”

Damek doesn’t need any more of a push. He lifts me from the ground and carries me at a quickened pace. He calls the healer as we head to the Rune estate. She promises to meet us there.

The entire drive home is a mix of excitement and pain as Damek speeds down the highway. Julien braces himself on the back of our seat.

“Are you okay, Maddie?”

I grit my teeth. “I’m in labor—what do you think?”

Julien cringes. “Right, sorry. Dumb question.”

But the pain eases. “Sorry. That was rude. Next time, ask me when I’m not in the middle of a contraction.”

It feels like it takes forever but it’s only a matter of minutes when we arrive home. Damek helps me out of the car and Julien runs in front of us to open the door. The healer is waiting for us and her eyes bulge when she checks me.

“You’re ready to push,” she says.

“WHAT?” I shout the words at her.

“How long have you been in labor?” she asks.

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