cannot hurt us unless we let them. Now, go eat and make friends.” I ruffled his hair and then kissed Kahleena on the cheek. “One day, you will lead, and you will need to do so while being able to see the world through the eyes of others. Hearing their comments and opinions and not being offended is very important. Kindness is a better quality in a leader than anger; that’s important to remember.”
I stood up, taking in Icelyn’s posture as she winced, running her hand over her belly while Lilith stood beside her, rocking an infant in her arms. They remained at a distance from the other women, indicating as newly joined members of the horde, they still felt like outsiders. As I moved toward them, Icelyn cried out and bent at the waist, her hand gripping the small of her back. I gazed at the floor, watching the fluid that rushed down the inside of her legs.
“I think I wet myself,” she admitted as pink colored her cheeks.
“Darynda,” I murmured, knowing my trusted handmaiden would be close by, waiting for me to direct her. “I need my bedroom emptied of people, and towels and clean water brought in immediately.” Her eyes followed mine before growing round and wide as they settled on Icelyn. I produced a towel, lowering it to the floor, silently cleaning the fluid that continued to trickle down Icelyn’s legs.
“Oh, don’t do that. You’re the queen,” Icelyn muttered with tears filling her icy-blue eyes. “I think I wet myself, but the babes keep shifting, and my body isn’t my own anymore,” her tone was filled with embarrassment and horror. “I can do that.” Icelyn bent toward the towel, but the pain stopped her. “Something isn’t right.”
“You’re in labor,” I announced, standing as the cloth vanished. “I may be queen, but I am never above helping my family, no matter what title I hold.”
“No, I can’t be in labor. I’m not due for two more months.” Icelyn’s face suddenly turned ashen, and her body began to tremble.
“Your water just broke, which means the babes are coming whether we are ready for them or not. Come with me, so we don’t worry the other children as we bring yours into the world.” I extended my hand to her while Lilith gave the infant she’d been fawning over to Keely. “I had my chamber prepared for you.”
“But I will soil your bed,” she complained.
“It’s just a bed, and it’s the only room where you can have privacy. It’s also soundproofed, so your screams will not upset the little ones. I am queen, remember? You have to do as I say.” I smiled tightly like an idiot as she laughed, but it was empty from the pain she was enduring. “You will come to my bedroom, where we will assist you through the beginning of your labor. I am sure the men will return shortly, then the wards on the tower will cease, and Eliran will be able to come up from the infirmary to deliver your children. Until that happens, we need to get you laid down and comfortable.”
“I’m not ready, though, Sinjinn isn’t here.” Icelyn’s eyes widened in horror as the reality of the situation hit her.
“He will be here before your babes arrive. You can’t worry about what is happening outside the doors, Icelyn. Your children are coming, and what is happening right now is all that matters. Ciara, assist me,” I whispered, watching as Ciara handed Fury to Meera, the newest handmaiden.
Worried violet eyes held mine as we helped Icelyn into the room and disrobed her before settling her onto the bed. Blood coated her thighs along with mucus from the membranes of her cervix. We were both thinking the same thing: Icelyn’s children were coming too early, and complications of an early birth could be bad, very bad. Once she was stripped naked, I removed the blankets from the bed, laying her down and pulling the sheet up to cover her the moment she was in a prone position.
Standing back, I nodded to her, terrified that we were locked inside the tower, and no one could reach us