Marius’ lips parted, but then Melissa arrived, her hair plastered to her face. “Dominus... your child is born...”
He shot to his feet and followed her to Seraphina’s room, slowing at the entrance, the smell of blood overpowering. Seraphina lay on the bed, her pale face framed by her wet hair, a small bundle in her arms. She smiled feebly at him, and he walked next to her, dazed.
Her eyes shone sadly, and her smile turned bitter. “It’s a girl...”
Marius looked at the small being and gingerly stroked her face, the skin soft under his finger.
Seraphina barked at Melissa. “Put her in her father’s arms!”
She obeyed, gently laying the baby in Marius’ arms, and he held her, his whole being warming, feeling her featherlight weight on his muscles, her soft breath against his cheek. He bent down to kiss her, and she cooed, making his heart melt. “She’s beautiful...”
Seraphina’s eyes blazed. “She is a girl! The gods are cruel...”
He looked at her, shocked. “She’s healthy and alive. What more do you want?”
She pulled a face. “I wanted to give you a boy.”
Marius smiled down at the baby, not even registering her disappointment. “She’s perfect.”
She smirked, tired and irritated, her grief for her boy choking her.
Melissa gently lay a hand on her arm. “You will need to feed her, domina.”
She pulled a face but shrugged. “Alright, I guess I have no choice now that she’s here.”
Melissa took the baby away from Marius, and Thais left the room too. Melissa put the baby on Seraphina’s breast, the tiny being trying to latch on it, clumsily searching for her nipple.
She looked at her, irritated. “What’s she doing?”
Melissa patiently guided her, and she suckled hard, making Seraphina yelp. “Ouch! This hurts!”
She hissed, her face clouding, and Melissa soothed her. “It hurts the first few days, but your breasts will get used to it. I had a cream prepared for you if you’re too sore, domina.”
Seraphina pinched her lips, her angry eyes flying to Marius. “See what I have to endure as a woman? Watch and learn next time you have a fit about your miserable life.”
He felt slightly ashamed in that dim room, the soiled sheets laying on the floor next to the birthing stool, caked with blood, but her behavior set off alarms, the concern plain on Melissa’s face.
Seraphina looked at him, her voice like venom. “You can go now and join your fuck toy. Have fun!”
He shook his head. “What are you talking about? I’ll stay with you...”
“No! I don’t need you here. Send your useless whore in here to clean up first. Then you can fuck him to pieces.” Her words choked, and he blanched, Melissa very quiet, trying not to look at them, her eyes on the feeding baby.
He backed out and went to Kyle and Thais, silently waiting on the corridor. “Go and clean up that room. Kyle, come to my room when you’re done.”
He nodded, silent, and they went in to clean up, Seraphina’s voice shrill in the night. “Finally! Get this junk out of the room. I gather your master has told you to join him, Kyle? You know what? Take Thais with you. She’s a great fuck, or so I’ve heard...”
Marius almost stepped back but then thought better of it and left, his anger swelling, his heart in pieces.
Kyle came to their room much later, his face drawn. Seraphina had not stopped, and by the time they had finished, Thais had been sobbing. He had to hold her to calm her down and then had told her to go to her room in the slaves’ quarter, but her eyes had grown wide.
"I have to go with you. She said so. If I disobey, she’ll beat the skin off my back.”
Kyle shook his head. “Dominus won’t let her. Just go to your room.”
She chewed her lips, worried sick, but then obeyed, and he made his way to their room.
Marius turned to him. “At last... she gave you grief?”
