Shadow of Honor by Ronie Kendig

Author:Ronie Kendig
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Christian, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9781621842354
Publisher: Enclave Publishing
Published: 2022-03-11T00:00:00+00:00

23

DEVERSORIA

“The baby is in distress—dying.”

Kersei choked back a sob. “No! No, please . . .” The pain was a cruel one that infected tissue and marrow but did nothing to further her labor. “Please, Ancient . . .” She looked at the women before her, Ma’ma at her side. “You are Ladies! Can you not—”

“We are His servants,” Ma’ma stated flatly, “effecting His will, nothing more.”

“My son,” Kersei whimpered, holding her womb, moaning against the terrible ache in her back that would not go away nor be appeased no matter her position, the herbs, or massages. “Darius!” she cried out and threw her head back as another futile contraction hit.

“Do not push,” Iisil instructed. “Each contraction pops him out of the birth canal, and he turned—breech. His heart has nearly failed. If you push, you’ll kill him.”

“My body is not listening,” Kersei said around another whimper. “It hurts. He’s dying. I can feel it. Pleeeasse!”

“Give her more herbs—”

“It’s too risky for the babe.”

“She will lose him! It is too risky not to give them.”

“Kersei.”

She had wanted freedom. Wanted . . . her way. But not this. Not at the cost of her son. Through the last several months, she had fought every act not perfectly in line with her own will—and this is what had come of it. Weak, drained of courage, she collapsed against the sanitatem. Selfishness had cost the life of her unborn babe. If he died, then so should she. Never could she face the world knowing her foolishness caused his death.

“Kersei!”

She started, suddenly recognizing the voice that reached through her despair. Saw blue eyes that now hovered over her as she labored. “Darius,” she breathed. Then sobbed. Grabbed for him. A great splash sounded, along with shouts and objections as he climbed in next to her. She hooked her arm around his neck, buried her face in his shoulder, and cried more. “I beg your mercy, mercy . . . mercy . . .”

His embrace was warm and strong. “Peace, Kersei, peace,” he whispered, stroking her head and cheek. “I am here. All will be well.”

“No! He’s dying,” Kersei cried. “’Tis my fault. I left . . . He dies, Darius! I beg your mercy!”

“Kersei—”

“Because of me, our baby is dying. There can be no forgiveness.”

“Kersei.” He framed her face with wet hands and stared hard into her watery vision. “He is not yet dead. We will do this together. Relax.”

“He refuses to come, and who can blame him when I said I did not want him?”

Darius twitched at her words.

She saw his grief, the hurt she yet again caused, and hung her head. “I am not worthy to be his mother. That is why the Ancient takes him from me. I abandoned my oaths. Left you. He is dying. Do you hear me, Darius? Dying!”

His touch was firm. His body strong as he pulled her against his chest. “You are in distress and so is our son, but you take too much on yourself. Give yourself far too much credit.

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