Levi and Paz tagged along—Levi for sharing advice, Paz out of curiosity and moral support. Zat’tor stayed home to watch Dai’zee, which was a good idea. The den wasn’t small, but so many bodies would’ve overflowed from the space.
And honestly, the less people there to witness me pushing a baby out of a mystical anal chamber, the better.
“Listen, don’t be worried,” Levi said. “I was freaked the fuck out, but everything was fine in the end.”
“I know. I was there, remember?” I reminded him.
Levi crossed his arms. “Yeah, butI’mthe experienced one. Who’s the only man who’s given birth in this room? Me.”
“Not for long, buddy,” Paz said, grinning. “Jaeyoung the Beach Ball is right behind you.”
I grimaced. “As far as nicknames go, I preferred Dr. Pregnant.”
His comment wasn’t wrong. My belly was rounded and swollen to inconceivable levels. It was true that if I hadn’t witnessed Levi’s pregnancy first, I would’ve been spooked and anxious. But miraculously, his birth had been smooth sailing.
Fhi’ran appeared at the bedside. “Have you been drinking your prenatal remedy?”
“Every day,” I confirmed. I still tasted the potent herbal flavor on my tongue. “You know I’d never forget that.”
He looked pleased. “Wonderful. I have no concerns about your delivery. You will do excellently.”
I nodded. Despite the anxiety in the back of my mind, I felt the same way. I didn’t pay it much attention. It was natural that someone about to give birth to their child would be a little stressed.
Linn’ar stroked my forehead. A light sheen of sweat coated my face, but it was from nerves, not pain. So far.
“I’m fine,” I promised. “I’ll let you know when my contractions start.”
“Never thought I’d hear you say that, doc,” Paz said, amused.
Linn’ar frowned. His feelers wriggled restlessly in the air, inching closer to my body. He couldn’t contain his desire to touch me with them.
During Levi’s delivery, Zat’tor connected their bodies and souls with his feelers. It was that connection that dulled Levi’s pain because Zat’tor shared it with him. I shared Linn’ar’s pleasure before, but not pain. It filled me with love knowing he’d take that burden upon himself.
“Go ahead,” I said.
His feelers burrowed into my neck and chest. Immediately, I felt cool waves pulsing over me, flooding my antsy system with calming energies. I sighed and relaxed against the bed.
And then came the first prickle of pain.
I winced. It was a sharp, quick stab in my lower abdomen, something I never felt before. During my research, I theorized that my body must’ve created a uterus-like structure down there, a kind of alien chamber to hold the baby. I assumed that new organ was the source of the pain.
I took deep breaths and released them steadily. It wasn’t agonizing by any means, but the labor had barely begun. Part of me was morbidly curious to see how bad it could get.
Then again, I wasn’t sure I’d experience the full agony of childbirth—not with Linn’ar hovering over me, sucking out all the bad feelings and injecting me with calm. His brow was furrowed in concentration. How much of it was he counteracting? I didn’t wanthimto be in pain, either.
I put my hand on his strong arm. “You don’t have to take allof it away.”
He grunted. “What do you mean?”
“I won’t die if I feel a little bit of labor pains,” I pointed out. “I mean, how bad could it be?”
In the background, Levi and Paz exchanged a look.
Linn’ar also shot me a pointed look. “That is a bad idea,” he stated firmly.
“Come on, Linn’ar. Just for a few minutes,” I argued. “I’d like to experience it fully. I need data.”
Linn’ar made a face like he’d eaten a lemon. Then he closed his eyes. “Fine. I will concede, but only because you asked.”
