It was dead of night, around 2 am when it began.
Thorne had long left for the eastern border, taking along with him five hundred soldiers to fight the battle. Adina had long passed out from the effect of the vial Thessara had given her.
One minute, everything was calm.
And the next, chaos erupted.
The loud ringing of the bell pierced through the air. There was trouble.
"We're under attack!" The scream echoed through the halls.
Adina jerked awake, her brain disoriented for a second, the effect of the vial.
"What's going on?" she asked as Thessara rushed in, eyes alard, and helped her to her feet.
"The palace is under attack," Thessara said.
Adina froze, her blood running cold. The palace is under attack?
"No ti," Thessara said sharply, dragging a shawl around her shoulders. "We have to move."
Adina nodded, trying to gather herself and match the woman's pace which was impossible as she couldn't even sit without help. Adina froze when she heard the door being knocked, eyes snapping to Thessara.
"Thess-" The woman indicated for her to keep quiet, carefully walking towards the door, her hands held tight against her dagger.
"Who is it?" She asked.
"His Majesty's guards," the voice replied, and she opened the door, letting them in. There were three guards, all ard.
"Your Majesty, Beta Caelum has ordered we move you imdiately. It's no longer safe here."
Adina nodded, trying to calm her panicked heart. "Lead the way," she said, her
fingers curling into Thessara's arm instinctively.
"Where are we going?" Thessara asked as she helped Adina walk.
"Sowhere safer than here," one of the guards replied.
The mont they stepped into the corridor, chaos erupted everywhere, guards running about, and screams echoing from different parts of the palace.
Adina broke out in a cold sweat, almost stumbling from the madness, gripping Thessara's arm as they walked quickly. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest, her other hand clutching her swollen belly.
The more they walked, the more difficult it was for her to continue. A dull ache that had settled in her back from when she was awoken had now turned into sothing else.
Her body shook slightly, sweat was never-ending. She struggled to keep up, even slowing Thessara down in the process. Then the pain hit sharper again, stopping her in her tracks.
It tore through her abdon like sothing had ripped open inside her. "Nnghh," Adina groaned in pain, her grip tightening painfully around Thessara's arm.
"Wait—"
Another wave followed almost imdiately, stronger than the last. Her knees buckled, but Thessara caught her before she hit the ground. "Adina?"
Her breathing turned uneven and shallow, sweat trickling down her face like she'd been doused in water. "I… I think—"
The words barely left her lips before it hit again. This ti, water gushed out between her legs.
Horror hit the two of them. Thessara's expression changed instantly.
"No, no, no, no. Not now."
Adina shook her head weakly, panic flashing across her face. "It hurts—"
"It's too soon," Thessara muttered, more to herself than anyone else. "It's too soon."
One of the guards turned back, alard. "What's wrong?"
"She's in labor," Thessara snapped, already grabbing onto Adina.
The guard swore under his breath. "Now? Of all tis—"
Another scream echoed down the corridor, much closer to them. They had to act fast.
"We need to move!" The guard urged desperately.
"I can't—" Adina cried out, doubling over as another contraction ripped through her. Her body couldn't take it. Not anymore.
Thessara looked ahead, calculating. She had to think fast. "Change of plan," she said sharply. "We're not making it far."
"Then what do we do? We can't just—" she tuned the guards out, spotting a nearby door. Without hesitation, she shoved it open.
"Inside!"
They all rushed in, and the door shut behind them. It turned out to be Thorne's office.
"Hold the door," Thessara ordered as she held a pain-stricken Adina.
The guards didn't hesitate. They braced themselves against it, their weapons drawn, bodies tense.
Adina cried out again. Her body folded in on itself as the pain surged stronger. Her eyes were as red as blood, her body temperature had hiked up, she was panting hard.
"This isn't right," Thessara whispered, moving quickly to clear the desk. "It's progressing too fast."
"I can't do this," Adina sobbed, tears spilling freely now. "I can't—"
"You have to deliver now," Thessara said.
"Here? Now? Please, goddess, no," Adina sobbed.
Thessara moved to her, forcing her to look at her. "Yes, now! We can risk losing the pup or you. Rember what's at stake," she said.
The core. It was still inside her.
Oh, goddess.
"You have to birth your pup now," Thessara said firmly. "You don't have a choice."
They helped her onto the desk, her legs parted for childbirth. In all of Adina's dreams of giving birth, not once did this scenario ever co to play.
A guard handed over a strip of cloth with shaking hands, and Thessara pressed it to Adina's lips.
"Bite," she ordered.
Adina obeyed instantly, her entire body trembling. Sweat clung to her skin, dampening her hair, her nightdress. She was a ss.
______
Outside, there was a loud crash, followed by incessant begging and then a scream… it was deafening.
Sowhere, Adina could hear a child crying faintly, asking for its mom. Tears leaked out of her eyes even more.
________
"Push," Thessara ordered.
Adina shook her head weakly, crying into the cloth. "I can't—"
"Push!" Thessara ordered again, already muttering chants.
_______
Outside the door was a loud bang, one that scared the guards deeply. They held onto the door with their strength.
"Stay back!" one of the guards shouted.
But sothing slamd against the door. The wood creaked under the force.
__________
Adina pushed with all of her might, the pain was blinding. Her body felt like it was splitting apart.
_____
There was another slam against the door, cracks began to form along the wood.
"Hold it!" the guards strained.
_____
"One more," Thessara urged. "Adina—now!"
Adina scread, unable to hold back anymore. The cloth stuffed in her mouth had long lost its essence.
She scread until she almost passed out, until her vision turned white and her skin turned purple.
Finally, a small cry filled the room.
And for a second, everything seed to freeze. Even the chaos outside seed to fade.
Thessara exhaled heavily as she lifted the child.
"A girl."
She placed the baby carefully into Adina's trembling arms, tears welling up in her own eyes. Alongside the baby, the core had also co out.
Adina let out a broken sob, her entire body going weak. She held her baby, unable to stop looking. She was beautiful. So beautiful it made her sob even more. If only Thorne were here… if only he could see their creation.
"Virelle," she said softly. "Virelle is here." She held the baby to her chest.
Suddenly, the door exploded inward, wood splintered violently across the room. Adina pressed Virelle over her chest, protecting her from harm.
The guards didn't even get a chance—they were killed instantly.
Then it all went silent. Not a single soul breathed wrongly. Slowly, heavy footsteps filled the air. Boots stepping over bodies, over blood.
Adina's head lifted weakly. And then—She saw him.
Carter.
He stood in the doorway, drenched in blood, his presence swallowing the room whole. Behind him were monsters, the sa ones Adina had seen when she was taken by him. The sa ones she'd seen Radek turn into.
His gaze locked onto her and dropped to the baby on her chest, and slowly, a sinister, devilish smirk stretched on his lips.
"Well, well, well, haven't I co at the right ti?"
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