Page 47 of One True Love (Love Mark 1)

“Urban…” But before she could come up with a way to talk me out of such a crazy quest, a muffled scream echoed down the hall and around a corner just as my abdomen exploded with cramping pain.

“Shit.” I doubled over, grabbing my gut, before I pushed past it and straightened again. “That’s her. She’s hurt.”

I took off sprinting away from my sister.

“Urban!” Allera raced after me. “Wait!”

I didn’t slow down. Not until I reached the corridor that led to Vienne’s bedchamber. When I found the hallway already crowded with people, I skidded to a halt and swallowed, fearing the worst.

Soren, Brentley, Nicolette, and even Caulder, along with a handful of servants, milled outside Vienne’s door, talking quietly amongst themselves. When they lifted their heads at my arrival, I pressed a hand to my heart and shook my head, not ready to hear the bad news.

And yet I had to know.

“What’s going on?” I croaked from a hoarse throat.

“The baby’s coming,” Brentley said, approaching to take Allera’s hand as soon as she caught up to me and paused at my side, gasping for breath from her run. “I’m sorry, my sweet,” he said to her. “Did we wake you?”

Allera began to shake her head, only to glance my way and say, “It’s quite alright. Is there… I mean, is there anything we can do to help?”

I stared fixedly at the closed door that led into Vienne’s room. I even took a step toward it, needing to go in there, to check on her.

She was in pain.

But Allera clutched my arm hard, stopping me.

When Brentley frowned between us, Allera offered him an uneasy laugh. “You know,” she said quickly. “I… I’ve actually helped deliver many babies at home. In High Cliff. I’m sure I can be of assistance somehow. May I… I mean, is it alright if I offer my aid in there?”

I glanced incredulously at her. She’d never helped deliver a single baby in her life. But I guess if there was no way I was allowed to go into that room, she would try to go in for me.

I kind of felt like hugging her for her consideration.

“Well… Uh… I know Yasmin, two healers, and a couple maidservants are already in there, but…” Brentley glanced toward Soren just as another scream rent the air.

The sound tore through me with a fury, momentarily blinding me and stealing my breath as more pain than before arced through my midsection.

I swear, Allera’s hold on my arm was the only thing that kept me standing.

“Yes,” Brentley said, nodding suddenly toward Allera. “Yes, I believe they could use all the help they can get right now. Thank you for the offer.”

“Of course.” Allera glanced up at me, worry in her gaze, before she let go of my arm and hurried toward the doorway where Soren stepped to the side to let her in.

When he glanced my way, he scowled slightly, probably wondering why I was here for the birth of his child.

Brentley returned to Caulder, where they discussed whether it would be a good idea or not to postpone the wedding.

“I don’t see why you need to postpone it,” Soren said, shaking his head. “If you insist on having it at all, just get it over with already.”

“But Vienne won’t be able to attend if they have it tomorrow,” Nicolette said. “She’ll be on bedrest for at least a fortnight after giving birth.”

“As if that’s a valid reason.” Soren snorted. “All the guests are already here. It’d be stupid to reschedule just because of her. Might as well not have it at all.”

I glared at him, pissed that he was such an ass, and because he acted so cavalier about Vienne’s pain. Why did he not seem worried? Why did no one seem worried?

They were all fucking idiots.

A low moan came from Vienne’s room. I gulped, trying not to vomit all over the floor.

Finally, Nicolette showed some concern, but not for Vienne.

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