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Cyn was really nervous. She couldn’t help it. Felicity was her best friend, and the birth was long, and arduous.
“Any progress yet?” Maelíosa asked.
Cyn turned around, regarding Maelíosa and Kieran. She shook her head. “None. The healer says it’s important that she rest between contractions, and everyone needs to give her some space.”
Maelíosa crossed her arms over her chest. “I have some training in the healing arts, perhaps I should go in.” She waved her hand over the doorknob, and suddenly the door to the birthing chamber swung open.
“No!” Cyn yelped and pushed past Maelíosa.
Cyn slammed the door shut as she entered the chamber and bolted the lock. She didn’t give a bloody rat’s ass what Maelíosa thought or how much they bickered. All she cared about was making sure her best friend was okay. She was horrified. Felicity was splayed like a rag doll across the bed. It was dim and hot, but a chill ran down her spine despite the roaring fire in the birthing chamber. Cyn choked back bile and shuddered. There was an awful lot of blood.
“And just what do you think you’re doing in here?” the healer asked as she stood up from a rocking chair next to the fire. “You’re going to cause her distress. Get out!”
Cyn clenched her jaw. “No. I am married to the chieftain of this clan, Felicity is my best friend, and I’m not leaving.”
Fear rose in her throat as she edged closer to the bed. Felicity grunted and winced as she shifted positions. Cyn rushed over and grabbed her friend’s hand, stroking the pale, sweaty skin.
“Cyn,” Felicity whispered. “You’re here. I knew you’d come.”
“Don’t be daft. Of course I came. I’d never miss this for the world.”
Cyn realized Fallon was right. She’d never really left. The Realm was her home. Cyn was always going to come back, but she didn’t know that before.
Felicity looked pale and doughy. Cyn was glad she’d made it in time. She’d never seen Felicity like this, and she was afraid her friend might not make it.
“She’s been in labour for far too long,” the healer said. She no longer seemed determined to eject Cyn from the chamber.
“I know.”
“She’s very weak,” the healer said in a quiet voice, so Felicity wouldn’t hear. “She’s been struggling. It may kill her if the baby doesn’t come soon.”
With a pang, her worst fear was confirmed. Cyn blinked back tears. No! she thought desperately, gripping Felicity’s hand even harder. She’s my best mate! She can’t die!
Felicity clutched the sheet and groaned. Cyn watched her enormous, swollen belly pulsate with contractions, and winced. There was nothing more uncomfortable-looking than giving birth.
“How are you feeling? Can I bring you anything? Fallon took me back, and I can’t wait to tell you about it. You have to hurry up and pop this sucker out,” Cyn joked, stroking sweaty hair away from her friend’s face. “Niall is practically wearing through the floor, pacing out there.”
Felicity smiled, and squeezed Cyn’s hand. “Promise me you’ll take care of my baby. I’m not afraid of what will happen, but you have to take care of my baby if...”
Cyn nodded, furrowing her brow. She swallowed to keep her voice from breaking. “Of course.”
“I always knew you’d come back eventually. I love you, Cyn. I don’t know anyone I’d trust more.”
She turned away and coughed loudly because she didn’t want to cry in front of Felicity. “Sorry, must be allergies. I guess my body hasn’t acclimated to the Realm.”
“Don’t be scared, Cyn. Everything is going to be okay.”
Cyn wouldn’t let her down. She’d do whatever she must and take care of that baby if Felicity didn’t make it. But Cyn hoped with all her heart that she’d pull through. She couldn’t lose Felicity.
* * *
FALLON’S HEALTH HAD improved drastically in the short time since Cyn returned. He wasn’t quite back to normal yet, but he was confident his full strength would be restored soon. His stallion was thrilled, and pranced around merrily, tossing his mane. She is back, Fallon thought triumphantly. No matter what happens, she’s ours forever.
All the hurt of the past few months faded from his heart and soul. He’d always worried about her. Even though he’d been in incredible pain, Fallon never stopped hoping she was happy. It was difficult not to contact her, especially after giving her the communication portal, but he knew it wasn’t a good idea. His condition deteriorated more quickly than he’d anticipated, and Fallon couldn’t let her know what he was going through. He wouldn’t let her see him that way. He’d wanted her to come back out of love, not pity.
Adjusting to their way of life wasn’t easy. He understood her reasons for leaving. Fallon found all the stories Cyn told him about London and the outside world intriguing, although he sincerely doubted he’d enjoy the busyness of the city. The Aran Islands were the only place in the human world Fallon ever visited. He couldn’t imagine the world of concrete, honking metal, and smog that Cyn described. The Realm contrasted drastically, and leaving the familiar, fast-paced grind would be hard for her. And that was on top of Cyn’s fear of committing to anyone, let alone him and his stallion.
She’d spent many hours talking about London: the food, the places, everything she loved. Fallon remembered a particular conversation about a human favourite called ‘fish and chips.’ Cyn was giggly from drinking too much wine, and she’d insisted it was important to use a certain kind of sauce on the chips. Fallon hadn’t understood, but he was bowled over watching her talk. It wasn’t because of the type of food she chattered on about, but because of her passion toward her home. At that moment, their future together had seemed bleak. He’d wished she had that kind of passion for the Realm, and would take her rightful place as his queen. Her return was impossible to fathom when she loved her home and career so deeply. She’d told Fallon her lifelong dream was to become an actress. He thought she’d prioritize a career above anything else. He grinned. Nothing was better than realizing how very wrong he’d been.
When she first stayed with Fallon in the castle, she’d try to convince him to visit her in London. “I’ll show you the tube!” she’d say, drawing a crude illustration of something that resembled a corridor with small covered boats inside. It was fun to fantasize about being in her world, but only because of how much joy it clearly brought her. When Cyn turned mournful about missing London, they no longer had those conversations. Every time it came up, her face had fallen. Fallon knew how much she’d have to give up unless life with him in the Realm was what she desired. Her return mended his soul in more ways than one. He’d been a broken man, lost without a wife, and his stallion forgot how to love. She’d resurrected him.
He wondered about Cyn’s visit to the healer. A sense of unease about his daughter-in-law put his stallion on edge. She’d been in the birthing chamber for hours, and Niall was probably panicked. He quickly dressed in leather leggings and a dark green tunic before heading downstairs. The great hall was eerily silent. He headed for the healer’s hut, where he found Niall, Tomas, and Maelíosa standing in a huddle outside her cottage.
“How’s Felicity?” Fallon asked as he approached.
“I’m so worried,” Niall said. “She’s not doing well. The healer said she was strong. Why is this happening?”
Fallon wrapped an arm around Niall in a rare display of affection. “Everything will be fine, my son. You’re going to be a wonderful father.”
Niall smiled weakly. “I hope so. I’m worried that I’ll lose her.”
He knew exactly how Niall felt. He’d lost his wife and he thought he’d never get through it. Raising Darcy was a challenge. Maelíosa helped, but she’d become jaded about love. Losing her mother changed her the most. Out of all of them, she’d taken the loss the hardest.
Fallon shook his head. “You lot weren’t exactly easy to raise without my wife. But having children is one of the most fulfilling joys in life.”
“Aye, but right now I’m worried about Felicity. I can’t even think about raising a baby without her,” Niall said.
Niall ran a hand through his hair. His face was dark. Fallon squeezed his son’s shoulders before releasing him.
“If the healer says that she can do it, she can.” Fallon spoke confidently, but a worm of fear wriggled its way into his heart. Not wanting Niall to sense his fright, he turned to his daughter.
“I’m glad you’re here to support Niall and Felicity.”
“Of course. I care about Felicity,” Maelíosa said.
It seemed to suggest that she didn’t care about Cyn, but Fallon would hold back unless she got mouthy.
“You’ve always approved of the lass,” Fallon said.
“Aye, she and Niall are well-mated.”
“They are,” Fallon said, his voice stern. “And so am I.”
“It’s good to see you up and about, Father. How are you feeling?” Maelíosa asked, giving him a quick hug.
Fallon was relieved she’d changed the subject. “Better than my daughter-in-law.”
“I’m going to go check on her,” Niall said.
He bolted inside, clearly desperate for an update. The whole scene made Fallon recall the births of his children over the years. As usual there was the slight twinge of pain that came with the memory of his first mate.
Maelíosa was staring at him. “Why were you so eager to take her back? You didn’t have to do that. At least not right away.”
“Maelíosa,” Fallon said slowly. “You can’t choose who you fall in love with. I’d have thought you’d be more understanding after you were so adamant to break your betrothal.”
“But her? She left you...”
“She’s my queen. She’s the woman I have chosen to be with. I hope you can learn to respect that.”
Maelíosa sighed. “I know. But she really hurt you, and I can’t understand why she left or how you could forgive her so quickly.”
“She’s the one I want by my side. When you fall in love, you’d be amazed what you can forgive.” Fallon spoke confidently and quietly, without bitterness.
He held no anger toward Cyn. Maelíosa was young. Fallon understood why Cyn had needed to return home, but he was glad the mate bond won out.
“How can you trust her?”
Fallon measured his words carefully. “Your priorities change. You’ll understand when you take a mate. I considered what being with me meant, and how it affected her. It’s not just what I needed from her.”
“She’s never expressed anything like that. She’s never put you first,” Maelíosa said as she crossed her arms.
“How do you know? She did put me first when she returned. It’s because she chose me and cannot be without me. If that doesn’t demonstrate the strength of our mate bond, I’m not sure what will.”
Maelíosa sighed. “I don’t want her to hurt you anymore, Father. What if she leaves again? What will you do?”
“She won’t leave again,” Fallon said, setting his jaw. “She’s here to stay. And since this is her home now, we are her family. Don’t forget to honour that.”
“I know, Father,” Maelíosa said.
Fallon nodded. “You need to trust and respect my choices.”
His daughter searched his eyes. “I’ll give her a chance, but she’d better bloody deserve it.”
