The first scream tears out of me before I can stop it.I grab the edge of the stone bed, my fingers slipping against the cold surface as another contraction crashes through my body.“Aria!”Kael is beside me instantly.His hands close around mine.“Look at me.”“I can't.”“You can.”“I can't!”The pain tightens around my stomach until I can barely breathe.Selene moves toward me, her silver hair swinging over her shoulders.“She's close,” she says.Kael's face changes.“Close to what?”“The birth.”His eyes widen.“Now?”“Not now,” Selene snaps. “Soon. Very soon.”Another contraction hits.I cry out.Kael grips my hand harder.“Breathe.”“Don't tell me to breathe!”“All right.”“Stop looking at me like that!”“Like what?”“Like you're terrified!”His jaw tightens.“I am terrified.”That answer silences me for half a second.Kael brings my hand to his mouth.“I have faced armies,” he whispers. “I've fought monsters. I've watched kingdoms fall.”His eyes shine.“But I've never been this
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