Born to Die

Chapter 37

The pain hit Aemeryn again, and she struggled to keep the groan of pain back. Three months had passed since she helped Aegon and Aemond in Flea Bottom, and she knew that the babe was due any day. She knew her water had broken hours ago, and she had simply told everyone that she wasn't feeling well. She was in deep denial that she was in labor and would hide it until she delivered the babe herself.

"Aemeryn?" She froze when she heard Aemond from the doorway. He stared at her wide eyed as he took in her hunched posture and the grip she had on the chair beside her. "Em, is the baby coming?"

A nod is all Aemond needed to see before he was sprinting across the room to pick Aemeryn up. He didn't hesitate to run out of the door and run down the hall to the labor chambers that had been set up a month prior. Aemond didn't notice Rhaenyra in the hall until he almost ran straight into her.

"Aemond?" Rhaenyra yelped as she moved out of the way. It didn't take her long to understand the situation, and she straightened. "I'll fetch the midwives. Get her into bed." Aemond simply nodded as he continued his sprint down the hallway.

Aemeryn groaned and gripped onto his shoulder tighter. Aemond tried to stop fear from gripping his heart, but he was unsuccessful. He kicked the door open and sat Aemeryn on her feet. "We need to get you out of the gown, baby."

Aemond quickly untied the laces and shoved the material away from Aemeryn's body. The midwives and Rhaenyra came bursting into the room, and Aemeryn turned to look at them. She didn't look at her mother with fear like Aemond was. If anything, Aemeryn looked ready to get everything over with.

"Aemond, don't leave me," Aemeryn said softly as she grabbed his hand. She knew that it was custom for the father to not be anywhere near the birth of his child, but Aemeryn wasn't going to do this without him. Aemond nodded, and Aemeryn turned her attention to Rhaenyra. "Mother, stay?"

"They both have to leave, Princess," the oldest midwife huffed out in frustration. All three turned and looked at the old woman.

"Get out," Rhaenyra said softly.

"Your Grace?" The woman blinked rapidly at Rhaenyra when she realized how angry she truly was.

"I am a mother first, and Queen second. Do not ever tell my daughter she cannot have her mother during her labors. Get out."

The midwife bowed quickly before she scurried from the room. Another midwife was already helping Aemeryn into the bed to check how far her labors truly were. All there was left to do was wait.

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Hours had passed, and Aemond pulled Rhaenyra to the side of the room. Aemeryn had been placed on her knees on a pillow on the floor and was gripping the blanket with everything in her.

"Rhae, I'm scared," Aemond said softly as he looked from his wife to his sister and back. "It's been so long, and so many labors end badly in this family. Hell, you almost died giving birth to Viseyna. Both of her grandmothers died in childbirth. The odds aren't good."

Rhaenyra put her hand on his cheek to stop his rambling. Aemond finally turned his attention back to her, and she felt her heart twist at the genuine fear he had for her daughter.

"Listen to me, Aemond. Em is strong; she's the strongest person I know. If anyone can do this, it's her."

"Get it out of me you fucking cunt!" Aemeryn screamed, and Rhaenyra hid a grin. Her daughter was more like her than she realized.

"I can see the head, Princess."

"That's our cue," Rhaenyra said as she walked over to the bed. She walked around the midwives to sit next to Aemeryn in the floor. Aemond sat on the bed and took her hands in his; Rhaenyra ran her hand up and down her back.