Page 102 of Pregnant With Their Babes

Summer

Llyr screamed in pain, sweat rolling off his brow. On his side, he clenched himself into a ball in the shallow water, tucking his knees as tight to his chest as he could. Oz rubbed his tail in slow, circular strokes while Dagr held his upper body out of the water in a tight embrace.

“Everything is proceeding well, Prince Llyr,” the Enchantress murmured. “I can see the first babe’s head.”

Llyr groaned. “Just the head? Dear gods…”

“You’ve got this,” Dagr murmured, rubbing his shoulders.

Another pain struck, and he bore down with the contraction. “I. Hate. You. Both.”

The Enchantress clicked her tongue. “Awww, don’t say that, Prince Llyr… these men love you very much.”

“They wouldn’t have done this to me if they loved me,” Llyr cried, even as he knew he lied. He loved his mates more each day—even if they’d put him through this hell. The reward at the end would make it all worthwhile. He looked at the Enchantress. “Iknowyou have a spell that would save me all of this.”

“No spell can take all the pain away from childbirth—none that would leave the babes alive, that is,” the witch said.

“Forget I asked,” Llyr said before roaring in pain. The next contraction hit, and he pushed with all his might.

“Now, the head is through… with the next one, push slowly and evenly so we can get those shoulders to come,” the Enchantress instructed.

“Breathe,” Dagr murmured, continuing to rub Llyr’s shoulders and back.

Llyr took the short, panting breaths as the witches had shown them. Dagr’s mother was there, under the shallows, waiting for the first merbaby to appear. She would tend to the pup under the water while the second babe was birthed.

The contraction hit, and Llyr did his best to push as he’d been told.

“Good… good…perfect. One more slow and gentle push and pup number one will arrive,” the witch announced.

“I can’t,” Llyr murmured.

“Youcan,” Oz said, grabbing one of Llyr’s hands. “I know you can, baby.”

“Tuck his knees up,” the Enchantress told Oz. “He’s growing tired.”

Oz tucked Llyr’s tail up and held him in place. “I’ve got you, baby.”

Llyr took a few breaths and the spasm came. He pushed… and felt the release as the pup was born.

“Oh, he’s beautiful, Prince Llyr… and a strong little swimmer,” she announced. Lifting the babe so they could see, the merbaby let out a piercing wail, kicking its tail. Llyr gasped. Immediately, his heart clenched at the sight of their child. The Enchantress brought him closer so Llyr could get a good look at the howling newborn, before she lowered the babe under the water—handing him over to Dagr’s mother.

“Take care of him, momma,” Dagr whispered before kissing Llyr’s forehead.

“Halfway there,” Oz said with a smile. “Just one more.”

Llyr groaned.

“Give me a moment to clear the way for baby number two… if you feel a contraction, try not to push,” the Enchantress said.

Llyr laid back against Dagr, clearly exhausted. “I have nothing left.”

“Take ours, sweetheart,” Dagr murmured. “Whatever you need… it’s yours.”

Llyr relaxed a little in their embrace—the calmbetweenthe storms. But it only took a few minutes before the first contraction commenced for the second babe. He pushed and pushed… but the babe seemed to like his safe space in Llyr’s belly. No matter what, he didn’t wish to leave.

After nearly an hour, his head finally appeared. Llyr was worn thin, with nothing left. Thoughts of his own papa had plagued him throughout his pregnancy. Would he lose his life giving birth to his own children? Darkness threatened as he faded more and more.

“He’s almost here, sweetheart,” Dagr said, holding tight.

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