Seren and Drayce had gone to attend Arlan and Oriana's wedding and were away for a week. (For more details, refer to Drayce and Seren's visit to Griven for Arlan's wedding in the third book- The Devil's Betrothed.)
After a week, when they returned, Seren couldn't wait to go see Edith. The day of Edith's delivery was near, and Seren wanted to be with her.
"Dray, can I go meet Edith?" Seren asked, settling into a chair after changing into fresh clothes and enjoying a nice meal.
"You can, but we just returned, and it's already evening. You're tired, and it wouldn't be appropriate to disturb them at this hour. How about you go tomorrow morning?"
"Hmm, you're right. She might be sleeping already."
Drayce nodded and approached her, offering his hand. "You should rest so by morning all the tiredness from teleportation will be gone."
Seren agreed and climbed into bed immediately.
Late in the night, Seren felt restless in her sleep. Drayce, who was holding her, stirred. Seeing her so uneasy, he became worried.
"Seren," he called softly.
At his call, Seren opened her eyes, gasping lightly.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
She sat up in bed, her hand rubbing her wildly beating heart. Drayce sat up as well.
"Was it a nightmare?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No. But I don't feel good." She breathed heavily, "It feels like something bad is going to happen. I can feel it clearly, but I'm not sure what it is."
"Who comes to your mind? Who are you worried about these days?" he asked.
"No one?" she said, more like a question to herself.
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"Then it must be because you are tired from teleportation. Your body is still dealing with the ordeal."
She shook her head anxiously. "No, Dray, there's something. And I'm not wrong about it."
"Oriana is alright now...."
"Edith," Seren exclaimed instantly. "It's about Edith. We need to go to her."
"Use a little more strength, my lady," the servant holding Edith's hand said anxiously.
Edith looked like she was losing all her strength, her entire body drenched in sweat as she tightly held onto her servant's hand. Her cries slowly weakened as she grew exhausted.
"You can't give up, Lady Edith," a midwife encouraged. "Just hold on a little longer."
Seren, shocked, scared, and worried, felt a whirlwind of emotions and stood frozen in place. She could see how Edith's body was slowly losing its energy.
Seren hurried to the bed and sat on the other side. She held Edith's hand. "Edith, don't give up, alright?"
A servant who stepped outside to get more warm water was met by Keiren. "How...is she..."
"My Lord," the servant hesitated.
"Speak," Keiren's voice rose.
"Lady Edith doesn't look to be in good condition," she replied.
Keiren lost the last shred of his patience and barged into the room. All he knew was that he needed to be with his wife, to somehow relieve her of this pain. He wanted to be by her side in her most difficult time.
Cara stepped aside, and Keiren sat at the edge of the bed, holding Edith's hand. His gaze was tender as he looked at her. "Edith..." His voice caught in his throat, his eyes glistening with moisture, mirroring her pain.
Edith looked at him, her eyes slowly closing. "Ren..." Her voice was weak, and her grip on his hand was loosening.
"Edith..." Keiren called loudly, fear gripping his heart. He looked at the midwife. "What... what is happening to her?"
"My Lord..." the midwife hesitated. "I am afraid Lady Edith has lost all her strength and..."
"And?"
"She can't push the baby anymore, and I fear we are losing them both."
"You are a midwife! You know what to do. Why aren't you doing anything?"
"Apologies, my Lord..." she bowed her head, mumbling helplessly, "only if I could give her all my life's strength."
Keiren turned back to Edith, shaking her gently. "Edith... Edith, wake up. You can't give up. I don't care about the baby, but I can't lose you. Edith, wake up..." Tears rolled down his cheeks.
Seren, shocked and helpless as she held Edith's frail hand, felt her pulse growing weaker. She heard the midwife's last words.
"I can help," Seren spoke immediately.