"Charlotte!"
"I'm right here, Evelyn."
"It hurts," I cried.
"I know." She wiped at the tears that streamed down my cheeks while rubbing my back.
The chamber doors swung open with such force they bounced off the walls. My mothers skirts swooshed about her ankles as she rushed to my side. The midwife followed soon after, with all of the maids in the castle with her carrying basins of water and towels.
"Out of the way!" she shouted, bustling my skirts up to my waist.
"Must everyone be here?" I looked to my mother as she patted my already damp brow with a warm cloth.
She nodded and shushed me. "They will be needed to ensure the child is brought into the world safely."
"Okay. Where's James?"
"He's in his study awaiting word of the birth."
"Can he be here?"
"Oh heavens no, child!" the midwife nearly laughed as her face was a mere inches from my post private of places.
"I didn't know that was such a silly request. To have ones husband present while birthing their child."
"Men do not need to be in the chambers for such an intimate action!" She sounded so appalled at the very notion.
"He was there for the most intimate of actions as to put the child in my belly in the first place," I grunted between pushes as the child tried to force her way out.
"Evelyn!"
"What! I shall say as I wish. Leave me be!"
I let out a mighty bellow as the pain rang through my body. An urge to push came over me as I attempted to expel the child from my womb. Sweat poured from my head as my body trembled as each wave of labor passed by.
"I see a head!" the old woman who had her face entirely too close to parts of my body I didn't want her near. "Oh the baby has so much hair! Beautiful golden hair! Push, my lady! Push."
"I am!" I screamed.
It felt as though my body would split in two. As the pain subsided I heard the most glorious sound. A high pitched scream.
"It's a girl!" the midwife was across the room in a flash cleaning off the baby.
"Elizabeth," I sighed, a smile playing at my lips.
The smile didn't last long. Another pressure overcame me, urging me to push again.
"Uhm, I don't think she's done."
"She's alright," the midwife said, paying me no attention. "It's simply the afterbirth being expelled."
"I don't think so," Charlotte said, reaching between my legs. "Do forgive me, Evelyn."
"Of course it is."
"No. No, it's not. I can feel something...hard." Her eyes grew large as she pushed the skirts up further and brought a light in for a look.
"Please don't burn me. I don't think the nether regions are that fascinating."
"You're not finished! There's another baby! I see the head! Black hair!"
"What?" my mother gasped. Her shock couldn't be hidden.
"There's wha, what?"
"Another baby! There's another baby!"
The noise in the room became a deafening roar as everyone whispered and bustled about. Maids came and went as more water and towels were brought. The urge to push came over me once again and I let out yet another might yell, causing Elizabeth to erupt in her own high pitched wails. The baby slid out and began a mighty cry.
"A boy! It's a boy!"
"A boy? I have a boy?"
"And a girl!" Mother exclaimed, running from one baby to the next.
"James. Someone get James."
I felt so weak. My body was exhausted. My mind wanted to sleep.
"Evelyn?" Charlotte dabbed my face with the towel. "She's losing her color. Something's not right."
"I'm fine. I'm just tired."
The midwife hurried to my side of the bed and placed the back of her hand against my face. "Oh dear child, you are burning up."
She ran to the door and whispered to the guard. The room remained a bustle of people. Some paid me no attention. They took care of the babies as I lay in my bed. The bleeding hadn't stopped since the birth, which apparently wasn't a good thing. The physicians and midwife whispered amongst themselves as they looked at me. They argued about something. To bleed me? Not to bleed me? How to stop the bleeding?
Everyone stopped though as the door opened slowly. James crossed the room as everyone fell into silence. He glanced at our boy and girl before sitting beside me.
"My dear one."
"The babies. Are they alright?"
A smile crossed his face. The smile of a proud father. "I don't know how you did it."
"I don't think I'm doing such a good job."
"You're going to be alright, Evelyn. You've done so well."
"I'm not anymore."
"You can't die," he said, kissing my wet forehead.
I furrowed my brow and looked at him. "Of course I can."
"Draco. You're attached to Draco."
I smiled lightly, reaching my weak hand up to his face. "I can still die. It's just when I die, he does as well."
"No. You can't die. You've brought our kingdoms such joyous news, you can't die. You can't. I need you."
He collapsed next to me, sobbing.
I ran my fingers through his hair as the room slowly cleared out except for those who were caring for the babies. Their soft cries drew my eyes open. The wet nurses sat side by side near the fireplace, feeding my beautiful son and daughter.
"Elizabeth."
"What?" James asked.
"The girl. Her name is Elizabeth."
He nodded.
"And the boy."
"Yes, my love?"
"Connall. He's Connall."
He sobbed softly as my eyes slid close. Still not having seen the faces of my new children.
Chapter 43
The fever overtook my body so fast. I didn't get to see my children for long. I felt so weak and tired, the only thing that seemed logical was to sleep. I couldn't wake up though. Part of my mind didn't want to. As a queen, I did what I was supposed to. I gave the king his heir. James never left my side. At least I don't think he did. From somewhere far away I did hear a man weeping. The man sounded like James, but it was such a distant cry I couldn't be sure. Mixed in were the high pitched wails of infants. My infants. My little prince and princess.
What had I named them? Did I name them? Yes. Elizabeth. Connall. Yes! My children.
***
"Charlene, is she alright?" James asked, looking down at his wife.
Her frail body, a body that held the lives of their children no more than a day before, was pale and her brow beaded with sweat despite the castle being so very cold.
"I don't know, majesty. I really don't know. The physicians should be able to help."
"She is so very hot to the touch." He ran his hand through her hair as she lay there lost in her sleep.
"There is nothing anyone can do now," her mother whispered, dabbing at her dying daughters sweaty brow.
"Someone has to be able to help," her father said, pacing about the chamber in angst.
"Draco!" Charlene shouted, standing up so fast she knocked her chair over and in turn disturbing the newborn prince and princess.
The soft wails echoed about the room as Charlene began to rock them back to slumber.
"The dragon?" the elder king asked, stopping near his daughters bed. "What can he do?"
"They are bonded. He can save her."
"Perhaps. Where is he?"
"You don't suppose he's sick?" Mother asked, walking to the window and staring out over the starless night.
Charlene shrugged her shoulders and left the room. Hoping that the old dragon was in the barn or somewhere near, she did find it odd that he hadn't been to the room yet. She broke out in a run once she reached the stairs, holding her skirts up and taking the steps two at a time. At the bottom she slid on the shiny floor and landed on her knees hard. A sharp pain shot up through her body as she clambered
to stand.
"Madame!" a guard shouted, running to the injured noblewoman.
"No! I'm fine."
She ran down the length of the hallway toward the kitchen at the back of the castle. The candles were out, leaving the smoldering fire as the only light to guide her way. The heavy wooden door creaked under her weight as she flung herself against it in a hurry to get out.
The barn that the ancient dragon stayed in was at the far end of the darkened court. She stopped halfway at the sound of heavy breathing from the side of the castle. Looking, she saw a large form laying on the ground, directly below the dying queen's window.
"Draco!" she shouted, running to his side. "Wh-what happened?"
"Evelyn. She's. Dying," he managed to get out between labored breaths.
"I know. What's happening to you?"
"We're bonded. She dies. I die."
"But you can't. You can't die!"
"I'm. Sorry."
"What can we do? What can we do to save her? To save you?"
"The witch," he said, closing his eyes.
"What witch? Where?"
"James. He knows. He has to go."
"James? The king? He can't leave in the middle of the night."
"He must," the dragon urged, looking up to his riders room. "I want to be with her."
"I know. We can't move her."
He nodded. "Send James."
Charlene nodded and ran back to the castle. The halls seemed to go on forever and she cursed the ego of the men who built the place.
"James!" she shouted, rushing through the door. "It's you. You can save them."
"What are you going on about woman?" Evelyn's older father, King Cassius asked.
"James can save them both!"
"Both?" the young queen's mother, Joselyn asked.
"Yes. Evelyn and Draco."
"What's wrong with the dragon?" James asked, standing from his wife's side.
"Below the window," she said still out of breath. "He's dying. She's dying."
"How can I save them?" he asked her.
"The witch. There's a witch."
"Witch? What wit..." he stood and ran for the door.
"Where are you going?" Cassius called after him.
"I know where I have to go."
"I'm going!" Charlene called after him, following through the door.
The stable hand sat up in startled disbelief as the young king and the queen's hand maiden burst through the barn doors.
"Horses!" the king commanded.
"My lord?"
"Now, man!"
"Uhm, right away, majesty."
The young man jumped out of his bed and fetched the two best horses the king had, saddling them as quickly as he could. Which wasn't all that fast or satisfactory considering his king watched with a tapping foot.
"Hurry, boy!"
"Right away, majesty. Sorry, majesty."
"Be easy on him, James."
"He's taking entirely too long."
"Shush."
The stable hand handed over the reigns to the king and lady, and watched as the rode at full gallop out of the barn. Scratching his head, he shrugged and went back to sleep as James and Charlene rode into the forest. In the middle of the night.
The branches of the trees reached out with spindly bark arms, grabbing at the fabric of her gown. They couldn't see even a hand in front of their faces to the extreme darkness. The rather uneasy darkness. James's horses hooves thudded dully on the soft earth beneath. Charlene realized those were the only sounds. The horses hooves. Her heart pounded in her chest, almost matching the thud of the horses as the galloped through the thick forest.
"James, where are we going?" she called out to the king.
"It's not much further. The clearing should be beyond the trees."
"Beyond the trees? The trees never end!"
No sooner did the words leave her mouth, the horses slowed and a small hut glowed in the distance.
James slid from his saddle and ran to the small abode.
"Witch! Open up!" He pounded on the door, desperation filled his voice. "Please!"
"Ahh, if it isn't none other but the young king. I see your station in life has changed quite drastically since we last met."
"That is neither hear nor there, I need your help."
She motioned for the two young people to follow her inside. "Yes, I know. The young dragon rider and her dragon are dying. Or should I call her queen? That poor prince and princess will be growing up without their mother."
"No! No, they won't. Draco said you can help her. You can help them. I'm desperate. Please."
"Desperate? What are you willing to give an old woman?" the witch asked.
"What does an ancient witch want? Or need?"
Her cackle filled the small house, the fire roared up and a crow that seemed to come to life in the corner matched her laugh. Charlene shuddered, how had she never run into such a place in all the time she spent riding horses about the countryside.
"I will come calling for what I am owed when the time is right." She hurried to her cauldron and began dumping various things into it.
A puff of blue smoke, followed by red, green, and finally purple shot up through the chimney. Charlene's breath caught in her throat as the glow of the red embers faded to a brilliant shade of green.
"There is one thing I am missing."
"What?" James asked, stepping forward.
"The blood of a bonded rider."
"What?"
"I need the blood of a bonded rider. The strength of the dragon courses through your veins. I need it."
James's brow furrowed as he stepped forward.
"Sire, don't..." Charlene started.
"It's fine. If it will help Evelyn, I will do it. I will do anything for her."
"So good of you to say that. Now hold your arm over the pot."
He nodded and did as he was bid. The witch pulled a rather crooked, shiny dagger from within the folds of her dress and cut the fabric of James's clothing up to his elbow. His perfectly pale skin shone in the glow of the green fire. The witch whispered a few words as she pierced his arm, allowing the blood to drip down into the concoction. The liquid bubbled and changed various colors before everything slowed down. The witch ladled it into a small vial and held it out.
"That's it?" James asked.
"That's it. Be sure Evelyn drinks every last drop."
He nodded and turned toward the door.
"I will come to collect what I am owed at the right time."
"Of course."
The ride back to the palace felt to take twice as long to Charlene. The sky had cleared and the stars shone bright. It seemed almost like an omen. A good omen. James didn't bother to wait and make sure that she made it alright. He slid from his steed and ran to Evelyn's chambers. A bit of relief flooded over the girl as she walked both horses back to the barn. Handing the reigns over to the stable hand, she snuck to the side of the castle where Draco lay.
"Did he go?" the old dragon asked.
"Yes."
"Very well."
Charlene made her way back inside, through the darkened kitchen, and up to Evelyn. The light of the fire cast shadows in the hallway as the sounds of people bustling about filled the air.
"You can't give that to her!" Queen Joselyn shouted.
Charlene sighed heavily and strode into the room.
"She must drink it."
"How can you trust some witch?" King Cassius asked.
"I've seen her power work. I trust her. She wouldn't do wrong by us."
"What if it's poison?" Joselyn asked again, standing near Evelyn's bed.
Charlene saw her friend. The look of death about her. The babies lay in their cots, crying. Crying for their mother.
"I'm sorry, I can't let this go on." Charlene walked forward and took the vial from James. "No matter what, if this is poison or no, we have to do
something or she will die. Draco will die."
Tears streamed down the elder king and queen's faces as Charlene knelt beside her dying friend. Gently lifting Evelyn's head, she pulled the cork out with her teeth.
"You must drink. Please drink it. I can't lose you. You can't die. Your children need you. I need you. You're my best friend, Evelyn. Please live!" she held the glass bottle to her lips and tipped it so the contents vanished.
The seconds ticked by to minutes as everyone waited with baited breath. Their hope slowly fading with time.
"I tol..."
As Joselyn began to speak Evelyn's body changed from the ashen color of death to a brilliant, shimmering gold. Her entire body was encompassed in the light. A gust of wind blew open the window, knocking everyone down, as it swirled about the bed. The heavy blankets that covered Evelyn's delicate body were strewn about the room. Her body lifted from the bed for only a few moments as her skin seemed to absorb the shimmering light. Once she returned to the soft mattress below, the look of death vanished. All stood about watching in wonder if the young woman would awaken.
Gasps went up amongst everyone as her eyes fluttered open.
Chapter Forty-four
I looked about the room as so many people stared down at me. The feeling of sweat trickling down the side of my face and into my eyes caused someone to dab my forehead with a cool towel. My throat felt as though it were on fire. My body hurt. My mind hurt.
"Wh - what happened?" I squeaked.
"You, um, you died," James replied softly.
"Died?" I looked around at the concerned faces. "Then how am I alive?"
"The witch, she gave James a potion."
"She did?"
"Yes." He held up his hand which had a bandage wrapped around. "Just a small price to pay for you to be alive."
"A small price? That's all she wanted?" Each word spoken felt like a dagger being rammed further into my neck.
He pursed his lips momentarily and closed his eyes. "Let's not worry of such things right now."
"What did she want?" I asked more incessantly.
He smiled down at me and brushed the hair that stuck to my face back. "Don't worry of such things. You're alive."
My eyes grew wide once I caught sight of the small cradles across the room. Their silhouettes danced on the wall as the fire flickered behind them. The small coos and cries that reached my ears created a yearning. A yearning to hold my children. My children. Those words resounded in my head as I stared at the small beds.
The Defender's Daughter: The Defender's Book 2 Page 24
