Page 99 of Protect Me

But I don’t slow. Not until I reach the door to Liv’s apartment. I’ve never been up here, but everyone knows exactly where the Ringmaster’s private apartment is located. I knock quickly.

The door opens, and Fiona grabs my arm without a word, pulling me through the apartment and back to the bedroom.

Liv is lying in bed, her back propped on pillows, her knees bent, legs spread apart as Adaya kneels between them. Fiona rushes back to Liv’s side, taking one of her hands and looking awfully pale for a berserker, who I imagine has taken more lives than I can count on both hands and feet. Liv’s face is red and sweaty, her white hair slicked back from her face. Her crystal eyes are focused, her lips pursed.

D is on her other side, his hair a mess, chest bare, the skin on his left arm shimmers with scales, but I cannot tear my gaze from the beautiful shades of navy blue and purple his partial shift has revealed.

“She’s asking for you,” he says, tearing my attention back to reality.

“Liv,” I say, concentrating on her.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Liv says in a strained voice. “I think Adaya could use you.”

I rush forward to Adaya, who is setting out several instruments on a towel on the dresser. “What do you need?” I ask.

“Help. The baby is breech, I’ve tried all other ways to turn it around, but nothing has worked. I need to do it manually, but it’s going to be incredibly painful.” She throws Liv a sad look.

“What do you need me to do?” I hate that Liv is going to suffer, and my fear for her and the baby grows tenfold.

“I need you to use your magic. Influence her joy to help alleviate the pain.”

I gape at the water fae. “What?”

“It’s okay,” Liv chokes out. “You don’t have to. I know you hate using—” She screams.

“Do it,” Adaya orders, hurrying back to the bed with a pile of towels. “Get in here, boys!” she calls out.

Duncan, Bracken, and Killian rush into the room, all shirtless and wearing sweats. “What do we need to do?”

“Two of you, grab a leg; the other, stay by me. Sway,” she says. “We need you.”

I swallow hard and don’t focus too much on the last time someoneneededme. Instead, I don’t think at all. I just do what needs to be done.

Rushing around the bed, I press a hand to Liv’s forehead. “You’re going to be okay,” I tell her softly as I let the magic pour from my body. It rushes through me as if a dam has broken, and I hate that I find relief in finally being able to let it out after locking it up for so long. But there’s no time for feeling any of that. Concentrating on Liv, I grasp onto her joy for this baby, onto the love she already feels, and enhance it. Liv’s eyes flutter closed as Adaya presses two hands on her belly and uses all her strength to press against her, trying to turn the baby.

Liv’s expression hardens, discomfort taking over, so I use even more power, helping her focus only on her joy. On what’s to come and not what’s currently happening. Liv’s expression begins to relax, and I know I’m on the right track. She moans in what is obvious pain, but even through that, her eyes are clear and hopeful.

“There you go,” I tell her. “Focus on your baby,” I coo. I don’t look at D or the others. Instead, I keep my gaze trained on Liv as I scan her face for any sign that my magic isn’t doing what I need it to do. It’s never failed me before, but then I’ve never cared this much either.

“Good!” Adaya steps away from Liv’s side then kneels back between her legs. “Push on the next contraction, Liv!”

Liv pushes, and I back my magic off just enough that she can feel the pressure of her baby and the contractions that will help her bring the new life into this world.

“Good, good. You’re doing good, momma,” Adaya says.

“You’ve got this, baby,” D whispers as he presses a kiss to her hand.

“Another push with the next contraction,” Adaya orders.

At her nod, my guys file out. I can only hope that means we’ve done it. That Liv and the baby are going to be okay.

What feels like hours later, the wailing of a baby fills our ears. Liv relaxes against her pillows, a smile on her face as she stares at the baby Adaya is holding in her arms. D cuts the cord, and Adaya clamps it then comes around and hands Liv her baby.

“A little boy,” she says with a smile. “A son.”

“A boy?” Liv cries. “We have a son,” she tells D, her voice cracking with emotion.

“We do.” He stares down at the baby with a mixture of fear and awe. Love and amazement.