Page 38 of The Sins of Silas

Another wave of pain washed over me, and I groaned.

I discovered I was pregnant a month before my arrival to Ames. My morning sickness was overwhelming…what little food we found on the road was quickly expelled as my nausea overcame me. Close to the end of our journey, Torrin would carry me as we walked, my body too weak to stand for extended periods of time.

Despite the difficulties, despite the pain, I was overjoyed. I was so happy to have a part of Silas with me…a part of both of us.

I jumped as the door quickly flew open, Torrin rushing in with Elowen and Merrick in tow. If I wasn’t so afraid or in so much pain, I may have flushed having them see me like this.

Merrick’s eyes swirled dark as Elowen ran to my side, her pink hair tied in a loose braid.

“Please, help me,” I cried.

Her aqua eyes filled with tears, and she nodded quickly as she placed her palm over my slightly rounded belly.

Torrin knelt at my other side, holding a cool rag to my forehead. I watched as he attempted to shake his panicked expression.

Elowen’s healing magic glowed gold as she held her palm in place, sweat dripping from her forehead.

My voice was quiet as I asked, “Is the baby okay?”

Elowen chewed at her bottom lip, looking with furrowed brows at her palms. Then, her eyes widened, her bottom lip popping free as the glow of her magic faded.

Her chest rose and fell, and tears streamed down her cheeks. “I…I am so sorry, Lena.”

No…no…

My face crumpled. “There has to be something you can do…anything,” I begged, then wailed as another wave of pain overcame me.

Merrick rushed forward, lowering a large handful of towels to her side, “Do something,” he pressed Elowen.

“I can’t,” she cried softly. “The baby has no heartbeat.”

My body shook as her words registered. “No.” I shook my head. “I don’t accept it.”

“Lena,” Torrin’s voice was a lifeline, a rope that kept me from plummeting to my death. “We will get through this.” He flipped over the rag and placed it back on my forehead.

Elowen lifted my dress, and as she lowered my underwear, Merrick cursed.

Blood…so much blood was on the fabric, on the floor, spilling down my legs.

“Your body is expelling the baby,” Elowen’s voice trembled, and her eyes lifted to mine. “I…I can relieve your pain.”

I shook my head rapidly. “No.”

“We just need to be here with her, Elowen,” Merrick said calmly. I met his nearly black eyes, and as I watched his tears spill, I knew he was feeling exactly what I was. I knew he understood.

I let out a shaky exhale as I nodded to him, then felt my body contract again. Torrin tossed the rag to the ground and wrapped his arm around me, rubbing my lower back. I felt a rush of liquid pour out of me, and Elowen choked on a sob.

My body was overheating, sweat coating my skin.

“It shouldn't be much longer, Lena.”

Merrick knelt by my other side and held my hand. “She’s burning up,” he commented.

“I know,” Torrin whispered.

I didn’t know how much time had passed, how long I wept for, how long I cramped in horrific pain, gripping Merrick’s hand with a force I knew had to hurt before the pain subsided.

I took labored breaths and met Elowen’s tearful eyes as she lifted something in one of the cotton towels.

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