“If something goes wrong, there’s not much she can do,” said Tivar. “You’ve been healthy so far, so I don’t see why anything would happen now.”
Lumi barely managed to keep his ears from drawing back. “This could take several more hours.”
“I’m sure.”
“She could help with the pain and-”
“Just deal with it,” Tivar snapped as his ears flattened. “Births happen all the time, they’re fine, and many women and abundant males go on to have another child. I’ve given you a lot during this pregnancy. Don’t start telling me what to do justbecause you’re carrying my son. You could say anything to a midwife as well.”
“I promise I won't.” Lumi started to cry as another contraction came.
“Pfft. Even if you didn’t, what about the midwife? She might believe a lie, but she’ll remember later when I reveal my baby from a dead Mistress who died in childbirth. She’ll remember you lived. She might start questioning and talking. I’m not taking the chance. Nobody in the Kingdom can know of you.”
“I don’t want to be alone.”
“I’m in here.”
“But you’re not helping me. I want someone with experience.” It’d be a relief even if the midwife only held his hand. At least she wouldn’t bitch at him. “I’m scared.”
Tivar rolled his eyes as Lumi groaned and twisted on the bed. “I’m not going to listen to you crying and complaining all day. This is ridiculous.”
“This is your child. You wanted it so badly. What if something goes wrong?”
“You’ll be fine, and there hasn’t been anything wrong so far. If something happens, what do you expect anyone to do?”
“You have no idea what you're talking about!”
“Watch your mouth.” Tivar’s tail swished. “I’ll check on you later.”
Lumi almost wanted to gape as Tivar walked out and left him entirely alone. What the fuck was he supposed to do if he had a real problem? Tivar acted like all babies just slid out after a bit with no issue.
Once the contraction stopped, it was almost nice to be alone so he didn’t have to hear complaints and deal with total ignorance. He rubbed his belly as he stayed curled up on the bed and watched the light above.
“Please, little baby. Come out, and be okay.”
Even though Jaki would be horrified at such a situation, Lumi was sure he would get help if he was around.
But he didn’t have Jaki or anyone. Tivar just wanted a person to coronate so the Crown wouldn’t be dead, and he could stop being the false heir.
As the afternoon wore on and the pain worsened, he wasn’t sure if it was normal. He tried standing by the side of the bed, kneeling, lying on each side, and sitting up. Squatting was supposed to be easier when the child was ready to come out, but he was sure he wasn’t quite there yet. Before sunset, Tivar came in to get the fire going high and give him more water. Lumi was on all fours on a few of the blankets he’d dragged onto the bed, and quite frankly, his fake, older brother’s presence pissed him off.
“Well, how long now?” demanded Tivar.
“I don’t know,” Lumi managed to get out as he clutched the blankets and tried to breathe through the pain. It wasn’t exactly helping.
“I’ll check on you later.” Tivar slammed the door behind him.
“Fuck you,” Lumi mumbled under his breath.
He’d damn near cut off his pinky if Jaki would cup his face for thirty seconds. One soothing touch. Or words to convince him that everything would be fine. More than that, he wished for a midwife who could tell him if everything was all right. Was the pain supposed to be that bad? As a child, he’d heard women say childbirth was the worst pain ever. He’d also heard some talking about their multiple kids and how they couldn’t wait to have another.
Lumi finally planted himself near the headboard on some blankets. He could kneel and use the headboard for support. He gripped the top as another contraction ripped through him. Dear Elira, if such agony was normal, who wanted to go through it more than once?
The chain clanked with every movement, and he wished he could have freedom from the shackle for a little while. Damn Tivar for leaving him with no proper help. Lumi felt between his legs and wasn’t sure if his hole was wide enough yet. It was hard to tell by feel. If a midwife were there, she’d know.
If only Mother were there too. Another hour passed while he sweated and cried from exhaustion. The contractions were closer together, and the pressure inside was growing worse. Each bout of pain nearly made him want to scream. What if it went on all night and the next day? He was already so tired, he needed the headboard to hold himself up or he’d surely collapse. How would he take care of his baby if it were born?
Tivar opened the door just as another contraction hit. With his ears drawn back, Lumi bit the back of his hand as he made a strange noise and ignored whatever the bastard said.
