The Empty Ones (Fantasy Romance)

39. You are just a tool

"How is she?" I rush after Lady Nefri, who exits Paisa's rooms.

She is in labor for a long time now. The red moon is now aligned with the violet one and it's dark outside.

I am not very familiar with child birth. Most of the books I was reading never had a chapter about this part. There was only the one sister Lora gave me, the one I read in captivity, time and time again, that had some vague information. It was there where I read that there should be a clear liquid preceding the birth not exclusive very red, fresh blood.

I am not a healer but it was enough to bring this horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Lady Nefri just walks past me ignoring me completely.

"You owe me an answer!" I scream. "I am a Mahrani and you are my servant!"

She turns to me, her eyes widen open. Everybody is staring. It looks like she is too stunned and needs to gather herself.

"We are calling the Emperor. The baby is not well."

"I asked you about her! How is Paisa?!" She turns to walk away.

I push her to the side and enter, why she stares at me running to the bed.

The image is horrific. There is blood everywhere and Paisa's complexion is mildly said ashen.

I kneel to her side and take her hand. The annoying doctor doesn't dare to do anything about it.

"How are you feeling?" I whisper.

"Not well..." Her voice is very low. "I think I will die. They want to try to cut the baby out. I am not sure I will survive it."

"Of course you will. He will heal you."

"He will focus on the baby."

"No..."

"Listen," she grabs my hand. "You need help. Talk to my cousin. He can help you because the Emperor..." She takes a laborious breath.

"Don't talk. Just rest."

"No... The Emperor can't..." Her eyes close and her head falls on the pillow.

"Paisa?!" Then I turn to him.

"Mahrani, please," he says and I can finally talk to him. Stupid magic.

"Heal her, you useless idiot!" I scream.

Calling him that is not doing either of us a favor but he complies, still looking at me in disgust. His healing energy swipes over her and she opens her eyes. He didn't heal her completely, he just gave her a bit of life.

The door opens and two make servants steps inside before the Emperor does.

He looks fleetingly at Paisa, then at me.

"What is she doing here?"

"She didn't want to leave, your Highness," says master Han. I can hear the spite in his voice, I just don't care for it. "Both their life lines are very weak; I don't think I can save both."

"Save her," I answer rapidly even if this wasn't addressed to me. "Please, your Highness, I beg you, tell him to save her." I kneel in front of the Emperor and take his hand. "You can have other children but there is no other her. I beg you."

I think his gaze is disgusted.

"Get out," he says to me. No, it's not only a sentence. It's a comand placed on the stone.

"Please, let me stay with her." At this point my joints are burning because I resist to walk and blood starts to trickle down from my nose.

"Don't be ridiculous; get out," he says, in a composed voice that discloses something between mind annoyance and muffled anger.