Ella notices. "Is that..." She reaches out, and one of the lights lands on her palm. "That's actual magic."
"Yes," I say simply.
She stares at it for a long moment, wonder breaking through her worry. Then she shakes herself and refocuses on Samantha. Priorities.
Time becomes elastic. Minutes stretch into hours or compress into seconds. All I know is Samantha's hand in mine, the sound of her breathing, the way she fights through each wave of pain with a strength that humbles me.
Then Everett returns.
One look at his face, and my stomach drops.
He's pale. Really pale, which is saying something for Everett. There's fear in his eyes, real fear. In all the years I've known him, I can count on one hand the times I've seen him look like that.
"Boss," he says, his voice tight. "We have a problem."
"What problem?" Ella demands before I can.
Everett's jaw works. "It seems that, since it's been quite some time since we've needed a midwife, there isn't one around anymore."
The words hang in the air.
No midwife.
Panic hits me, cold and sharp. We're out here with all the magic in the world, but not a single person who actually knows how to deliver a baby. Samantha needs someone who knows what they're doing, and right now, that's nobody.
My brain goes into overdrive, running through every possible backup plan. None of them exist.
Then I look at Samantha.
She's staring at Everett, her face gone white, fear clouding her features. Her hand tightens on mine, trembling.
No.
I can't let her be afraid. Not now. She needs to believe this will be okay, even if I'm not sure myself.
I move so she's looking at me. I cup her face, trying to anchor her. "Hey. Look at me."
Her eyes meet mine, wide and scared.
"Everything is okay," I tell her, pouring every ounce of certainty I can muster into the words. "We're going to meet our daughter soon. You and me. Together."
"But Nick?—"
"I've got you," I say. "I've delivered foals. I've helped bring all kinds of creatures into the world. I know what I'm doing. And I know you. You're the toughest person I know. We can do this."
She searches my face, looking for doubt, for hesitation. I don't let her find any.
"Okay," she finally whispers. "Okay."
Another contraction, even worse than before. She cries out. I help her breathe, counting, coaching, trying to sound calm even though my heart is pounding.
When it passes, I look at Ella. "I need you to stay with her. Keep her focused. Talk to her. Anything she needs."
Ella nods, her expression set with determination. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Everett," I call out, turning to him momentarily.
My old friend straightens. "Yes, boss."
