Beneath the Wings

Chapter One

Chapter One

Imra

I stare up at the full moon hanging above the clearing we are surrounded by. We are on a pallet of blankets while trees line us on all sides and the sounds of nature lull us during this chaotic time. My mind began to drift as the time in between the pain beckons me to sleep. But just as I allow my eyes to drift shut excruciating pain wraps around the center of my body and I try to muffle the cry that wars to push through my lips. A hand grips mine as an equally muffled cry sounds next to me. As the contraction fades, I allow my head to roll to the side where a black haired red eyed beauty sits next to me. Fresh tears slide down her gray cheeks and it makes me aware of the wetness tracing my own golden cheeks. I grip her hand tighter as our husbands wrap their arms around us, providing the only comfort they know how. It should not be this way; we should have midwives here and our mage-medics. But instead, we are just lost out here on our own.

"It's gonna be okay, Bimme." I try to convey a false calmness. Nothing is okay. This should not be how we become mothers. If the world could just get over their hatred, we could deliver these babies surrounded by love.

"Okay?" Her panicked tone only intensifies my own, bringing us both a fresh wave of tears. "We've never birthed children before! We've never even watched a birth before! Yet here we sit with just our husbands because fairy forbid if anyone knew-"A contraction cuts her off suddenly, back arching as she clenches her jaw against a scream. Within a second, I'm mimicking her as pain flares through my body.

"Shh darling." Her husband, Carve, attempts to soothe her, his hands can't seem to find where they want to land. "It'll all be okay and in 20 years we'll see how worth it this was."

His voice chokes towards the end and she shakes her head violently as the pain begins to let up. Our hands are sweaty and clenched so tight that I can feel how were breaking bones, even as they heal nearly immediately, again and again.

"I'm not going to make it," her voice cracks on a sob, "I'm going to d-"

"Enough!" My husband's voice barks out and I immediately try to shush him in fear that he will make it worse. His temper fluctuates like the waves in the ocean. He ignores me even as he leans across my body to get within inches of her frozen face. "Thinking all of this negativity will only worsen our chances of making it out of this. Not to mention this isn't about you."

Bimme and me both gasp at his harsh words just as another contraction overtakes our bodies. The pain leads my mind down a dark place as I began to think of all the ways I will kill him for speaking to her that way after this is over. I relax as the pain lifts after a few moments but the relief is short lived and my body grows stiff as he opens his mouth again.

"Solas" Carve warns in a growly tone but he is ignored.

"This isn't about you, this isn't about Imra, or any of us." His voice is still firm but maybe a tad warmer. "This is about our future generations and leaving the hatred behind. This is about our Kaja. You can do this. You are strong and brave, Bimme. Strap on your armor and you'll be fine. We're here with you."

Bimme's eyes fill with tears and a new strength in the next breath as she nods at Solas before her eyes lock onto mine.

"We've got this," her hand tightens around mine again, "for our babies."

I nod at her. For just a moment a smile graces both of our faces and there is a calmness in the air. But a contraction hits us both again and the sense to push washes through me. So, I do.

Our husbands move between our legs and ready themselves. The forest and us all seem in agreement that it is time for silence. The only sounds in the air for the next few contractions are our grunts as we all four hang onto each other. Just like we have for years now. And as a new burning pain rushes through my center, two cries ring out into the air.