The simple statement hits harder than expected. My spine goes rigid, denial rising hot and fierce in my chest.
"We are not—" I begin, but the words stick in my throat.
"You are," the orc continues, unperturbed by my bristling. "I can smell it on you both."
"I don't know what nonsense you're spouting, but?—"
"It's not nonsense." His voice cuts through my protest with quiet certainty. "You've claimed her. Marked her. Whether you admit it or not."
Heat floods my face, part shame, part rage. "That's none of your business. Leave. Now."
The human woman takes a step forward, ignoring my raised weapon. "We're not here to judge anyone's choices. We just want to help."
"We don't need help from?—"
"SHUT UP!" The scream tears through the air behind me, raw with agony and fury. "Both of you, just SHUT UP!"
I spin around to see Seris doubled over, her face twisted in pain as another contraction rips through her. Blood has soaked through the furs beneath her, more than before, and panic claws at my throat.
Without hesitation, the human woman pushes past me, dropping to her knees beside Seris. Her hands move like she's done this a million times, checking pulse points and examining the birthing area with the calm competence of a midwife.
"I'm Kaela," she says gently, meeting Seris's pain-glazed eyes. "And you're going to be okay."
35
SERIS
The world has narrowed to fire and pressure, my body no longer my own but something wild and primal that demands everything I have left to give. The pain crashes over me in waves that leave no room for thought, no space for anything but the desperate need to survive each contraction as it tears through me.
"Breathe with me." Kaela's voice cuts through the haze, steady and sure. Her hands rest on my knees, warm and calloused like someone who's done this before. "In through your nose, out through your mouth. That's it."
I try to follow her rhythm, but another contraction builds like a storm surge, and I can't do anything but scream as it crests. My back arches off the furs with muscles I didn’t even know I had clenching until I think I might snap in half.
"Good," Kaela says, as if my animal sounds of agony are somehow exactly what she wants to hear. "That's your body working. Don't fight it."
A second human woman appears beside me—when did she arrive? Her face is kind but unfamiliar, hair escaping from apractical braid. She takes my left hand in both of hers, her grip firm enough to anchor me.
"You're doing beautifully," she murmurs, squeezing my fingers as another wave builds. "I'm Brittany. I've got you."
On my other side, Vargath kneels like a statue carved from stone, his face drained of all color except for the stark contrast of his dark eyes. When I reach for him, my hand finds his immediately, and I crush his fingers with everything I have as the pain peaks again.
He doesn't flinch. Doesn't pull away. Just lets me use him as my anchor while his free hand hovers over my shoulder like he wants to touch me but doesn't know if he should.
"I need to push," I gasp between contractions, the urge so overwhelming it drowns out everything else. "I need to?—"
"Not yet." Kaela's voice is firm but gentle. "Pant for me instead. Short breaths. The baby's almost ready, but not quite."
"I can't—" The next contraction hits before I can finish, and I bear down instinctively, my body making the choice for me.
Vargath's hand tightens around mine, his knuckles white where I'm grinding his bones together. "You can," he says roughly, leaning closer until his breath warms my ear. "You're the strongest person I know."
"Liar," I manage through gritted teeth, but the words carry no heat.
Kaela shifts between my legs, her expression focused as she examines me. "All right, on the next contraction, I want you to push. Really push this time. The head's crowning."
The pressure builds again, different this time—lower, more intense, like my body is trying to turn itself inside out. I grip both hands holding mine and push with everything I have, a sound tearing from my throat that doesn't seem human.
"Perfect!" Kaela's voice carries excitement now. "I can see the head. Dark hair, just like yours."
