They were naked and rolling on the bed in no time, their limbs entwined and their lips locked in a heated kiss. Zia rose over him and hurried him inside her, but he allowed her only a few minutes before grabbing hold of her waist and swinging her beneath him so he could take command.
“I love the feel of you,” he whispered on a kiss.
She could only moan a response lost in the feel of him as he moved powerfully inside her. They were one and would always be, and the thought made their joining all the more powerful and her climax all the more potent as she cried out her pleasure.
He finished along with her, and wrapped in each other’s arms, they fell into a deep sleep, both of them exhausted.
An agonizing scream tore them apart, and in seconds and they were both up and dressed flying down the stairs to Cavan and Honora’s bedchamber. They came upon Addie on the way, and Lachlan was already in the hall, wearing only his plaid and looking terrified.
Cavan threw the door open for them, a look of pure fear on his face. “You have to help her.” He grabbed hold of Zia and dragged her into the room, over to the bed.
Honora was crying and she reached out for Zia. “The babe. There’s something wrong.”
Zia took hold of her hand and tried to calm her, but the tension in the room was palpable and not good for Honora.
“I need all but Addie to leave,” she said, and placed a gentle hand on Honora‘s stomach. “We have a babe to deliver.”
“I’m not leaving,” Cavan said.
Artair went to his side and put a hand on his shoulder. “Yes, you are. You need to let Zia do what she does best.”
“He’s right,” Lachlan agreed. “So please don’t make Artair and me drag you out of here.”
“That I’d like to see.”
Everyone turned to see Honora grinning.
She nodded to her husband. “Go, I promise if I need you or just want you with me, I will send for you.”
Cavan bent over her and gave her a kiss. “I love you and I will wait for your summons.”
“I am strong. I can do this,” she assured him.
He nodded and kissed her again, then leaned next to Zia and whispered, “I don’t care if you must use witchcraft; don’t let my wife and child die.”
Zia was shocked. Did he really believe her a witch or was it his fear talking?
“I will do all I can,” she promised, for that was all she truly could do. Sometimes it didn’t matter how hard she fought to heal, to save lives, in the end it wasn’t her choice.
The men left the room, and Zia got busy along with Addie.
Servants were summoned so that cauldrons of water could be kept hot in the hearth. Artair retrieved the healing basket kept specifically for deliveries, and stacks of towels and fresh cleaned bedding were kept close.
“Tell me what you haven’t told me, what I believe you have feared to tell me for some time,” Honora said when it was only she, Addie, and Zia in the room.
Zia hesitated and attempted to reassure her.
Honora held up her hand before she could begin. “It’s time for the truth.”
“Please,” Addie said. “Something has been on your mind about the babe. Honora and I have both seen it.”
A pain suddenly struck Honora and she yelled out, grabbing Addie’s arm.
Zia placed her hand to Honora’s stomach and probed for further evidence of what she suspected.
“What is it?” Honora begged once the pain had passed.
“I think you carry more than one babe.”
“Twins?” Honora asked with excitement.
Zia nodded. “Twins who may not be in the right position for delivery.”
“Will you be able to do anything to help them?” Addie asked.
“I can’t say for sure. Only time will tell.”
“Don’t say anything to Cavan,” Honora said. “He is worried enough. Wait until you know something for certain.”
“I will discuss it with you, and the decision will be yours,” Zia said. “In the meantime, let’s be prepared for anything.” She turned to Addie. “The bread I asked left to mold, could you please get it?”
Addie nodded and left.
Hours passed, the pains remaining too far apart for the birth to be anytime soon. Still Zia wouldn’t leave Honora’s side, especially since she had calmed considerably since the first agonizing scream.
With the birth apparently hours away, Honora asked to see Cavan. She didn’t want him to worry needlessly, and knew he wouldn’t if he saw that she was doing fine.
When Cavan entered the room, Zia left, giving husband and wife some privacy, though both were anxious over her departure. She assured them that she would be in the great hall having breakfast with Artair.