Towers by Chelli Larsen

Author:Chelli Larsen
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: fairytale, fairy tale retelling, young adult romance, fantasy romance, fractured fairy tale
Publisher: Chelli Larsen
Published: 2020-03-23T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

“GIRL!” URSA SNAPPED at Romy, nearly causing her to drop the towels. “Are you going to sit there all day?”

Romy rushed forward, praying that Einar and Papa hadn’t heard Ursa’s admonition.

When Romy came fully into the bedchamber, she saw that Frieda was much further along. Fear gripped her when Ursa moved between Frieda’s legs to check the baby’s position.

“No,” Frieda cried out. “Let Romy do it.”

It was a toss-up as to who had the most surprised expression, Romy or Ursa.

“She isn’t a midwife or a doctor,” Ursa complained. “You don’t know what you are asking, Your Highness.”

Just then, a number of things happened. Frieda let out a scream that shook Romy to the core. A baby’s cry pierced the air, and then Ursa dropped to the floor.

“Romy!” Frieda screamed.

Romy stepped forward, seeing that one more push and the baby would be delivered. With shaking hands, she reached out and helped the babe come into this world.

“You have a daughter,” Romy whispered in awe as she wrapped the baby into a clean warm towel. With a grin, she turned to face Frieda. Her smile immediately fell when she saw the tears and utter heartbreak on Frieda’s face.

The door slammed open. Romy glanced up to see Einar standing there.

“We heard a loud thump,” Einar explained.

His eyes were flitting around wildly. Romy could just imagine what he was seeing. From Frieda sobbing hysterically to a pale Romy covered in afterbirth and holding the baby. But the most shocking was Ursa’s unseeing dead eyes staring back at everyone.

That’s when Romy burst into tears. She cried for Frieda who would never hold her daughter. She cried for Ursa who had never known this birth would be her last. But mostly she cried for the babe in her arms who had been cursed before she ever took a breath.

Einar took a step forward, looking as if he meant to comfort her. At this point, Papa had managed to slip inside the room. But he was still blocking Thomas, who had finally come out of his faint.

When Papa saw the midwife, his eyes widened and he asked hoarsely, “The curse?”

Romy nodded, and Frieda’s wails became deafening, each sob more heart-wrenching than the last.

“What is going on?” Thomas exclaimed, forcing his way further inside. “Where is my son?”

Romy held the baby awkwardly with her good arm, the other keeping the baby’s neck supported. As the prince took a step forward, Romy moved back. A look of fear and determination crossing her face.

“How dare you!” Thomas raged.

In a split second, Einar had moved in front of Romy and the baby.

Frieda sat up on the bed. Reaching her hand out, she screamed, “No! Don’t hurt her!”

Romy looked at Papa and nodded. It was time to start the plan.

Papa took out a small pinch of white power that was odorless and tasteless. With a resigned sigh, Papa blew the substance into the prince’s face.

“I will take it from here,” Frieda said thickly. “But first, may I see my daughter?”

“I don’t understand,” Einar said uncertain of what was going on.

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