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Immediately he stopped. “Tell me what you need.”

“I need this nausea to stop.”

“Is that the only symptom?” he asked.

“Yes. And I’m cramping so bad. So bad, Quin. But I haven’t had to go to the bathroom. It’s just nausea and vomiting so far. But I’m sure it’s coming. The pressure and cramps… It’s coming. I’m going to need you to leave me in here alone when that happens.”

“Not a chance in the universe I’m leaving you alone,” he said as he stood up effortlessly, with her in his arms.

“There are some things a woman doesn’t want her man to see, and herself in the throes of food poisoning is one of them. I’m gonna need you to go.”

“We’re both going,” he said as he pulled her gown down around her body, then grabbed one of his velvet, emerald-green cloaks and wrapped it around her like a blanket.

“Where?” she asked, clearly irritated.

“To medical.”

“But…”

“No. I will not hear of it, Vivi. You are feeling unwell. The cramping and pressure of your lower body and the vomiting you can’t control. The restlessness you’ve displayed the last several days. You will be seen, and only then will we consider returning home if the doctors determine you are not in labor.”

“I’m not in labor, I ate something bad.” Almost as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she was reconsidering. “Am I in labor?” she asked.

“I do not know, but it is very likely.”

“How could I not know I’m in labor?” she asked as he quickly left their bedroom and went straight to the nursery.

“Have you ever witnessed a female giving birth?” he asked as he opened the door to the nursery and called out urgently. “Au'revele!”

“No, I haven’t. I just assumed it would be lots of pain and then the baby would be here.”

“Are you having lots of pain?”

“Yes. But I’m vomiting, and I feel like I need to go to the bathroom, but can’t.”

“Sire?” a slightly groggy Au'revele said, as she opened her bedroom door and came toward him as she tied the belt of her robe around her waist. “Is everything alright?”

“I think we’re having a baby.”

“Go, take her now. I’ll go after the bag she’s had packed upstairs and bring it. I’ll only be a moment behind you,” Au'revele said.

“Have you seen women give birth, Au'revele?” Vivian asked as Quin headed for the connecting door of Au'revele’s quarters since they were closer and would put him out into the corridor quicker than running back through his own home.

“Yes.”

“Do they vomit and feel like they need to go to the bathroom?” Vivian called to her.

“Not always, but they can.”

“I think I might be in labor, Quin,” Vivian said.

“I’m aware,” Quin answered.

“Please tell Bart we’ll let him know if we need him there,” Vivian called back to Au'revele as they entered Au'revele’s quarters, then bolted into the corridor.

Quin accessed the service hallway to enter the main part of the palace before taking the stairs three at a time until he reached the third floor where the medical suite was housed. He burst through the door with Vivian in his arms, and a bellow on his lips. “Get me the doctor, now! My Sirena is in labor!”

The poor nurse left to man the overnight hours, jumped to her feet and started pressing buttons, calling in every medical personnel they had.

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