Chapter 23: Family Addition

Jason stood outside the heavy wooden doors of Darian’s chambers. His armor gleamed, and his expression was both respectful and serious as he awaited permission to enter.

Inside the chamber, Darian sat at a desk, engrossed in a pile of documents.

“Enter,” he called.

The doors creaked open, and Jason entered with a deep bow. “Your Majesty,” he began, “I bring urgent news from Queen Nymira.”

Darian set aside his papers. “What is it? Is something amiss?”

“She is in the throes of labor,” Jason replied.

Darian sighed and rose from his seat. “How is she?”

“Her Majesty is in good health, but the she has requested your presence. The time has come.”

“My presence?” He was a little confused and immediately remembered what Inglud usually did. “Please, gather the royal physicians. I shall be with Queen shortly.”

“As you command, Your Majesty,”

Darian took a moment to collect himself. With a final glance at the door, he set out to join Mother in the chambers where their family would soon grow. Whether he likes it or not.

At the entrance, he met Lokir catching his breath against the wall. Even through the poorly lit hallway, his pale face was visible. “Ufff, I can’t stand these things. All the blood is disgusting. I’d rather wait here. Go, she’s waiting”

“Is Nome...?”

Lokir immediately shook his head. “He’s not here.”

As Darian approached the door, he could hear voices inside. The room was bathed in a warm, soothing light from the numerous candles that adorned its walls. His Mother, regal and poised, reclined on a bed draped in rich silks. The sound of her slow, steady breaths filled the room. The palace was hushed, and only the occasional murmur of the attending midwives and healers could be heard.

Nymira looked calm and strong, showing her bravery in this tough situation. When Darian came closer, she met his eyes. Wet braids lay on her face. Her hand reached out to him, and he took it gently, offering a tender squeeze.

“Mom, are you well?”

Nymira smiled warmly, her eyes locking with her son’s. “I am as well as can be expected, Darian. This is a happy moment for our family.”

The queen was surrounded by her trusted handmaidens, who were chosen for their loyalty and midwifery skills. They moved around the room, lit by flickering candles on the walls.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“Just having you here is enough. You being here with me is the greatest comfort of all. She bent down, kissing his cheek, and whispered softly. “Our child is eager to meet you.”

The queen’s breathing grew more rhythmic, her grip on her son’s hand tightening as a contraction washed over her. The handmaidens moved closer, ready to assist in any way they could. Nymira’s trusted physician stood at the foot of the chaise, her gaze fixed on the queen.

Minutes stretched into hours, and the tension in the room grew with each passing moment. He had never been a participant in childbirth, and everything that was happening seemed bizarre. Is that how babies are born? Even in childbirth, his mom looked beautiful.

He smiled, remembering what she said. Turns out, she had lied. She was good at it, just like him. He was struck by lightning. She had been carrying his child all this time, and right now she was giving birth to their baby.

“Summon your strength, queen, push,” urged the handmaidens, while Nymira’s grip on his hand intensified further.

Her countenance tightened, as she labored to bring forth another Serpent-Slayer, his child, come out into the world. Finally, a cry filled the room. The handmaidens worked quickly, swaddling the newborn in a silken blanket and placing the tiny, wailing infant in Darian’s arms.

Not fully understanding what was happening, he held the baby. “It’s a girl,” one of the handmaidens said.

“It’s a girl,” he repeated.

“It’s your daughter ... Our ... daughter, Darian,” said Nymira hardly breathing.

He looked at the child, shifting his gaze back and forth between her and Nymira. The figure at the door caught his eye. Nome stood in the middle of the room, watching all that was going on, barely paler than Lokir when Darian had seen him at the entrance.

There were no doubts. He heard everything. The thug turned and walked out, shoving a passing counselor out of his way.

“Hey!” Lokir yelled.

A few weeks passed. After giving birth, Queen Nymira needed a break. She had been well taken care of by midwives and doctors, and now she wanted some quiet time. A warm bath had been prepared in a nearby room, ready for her.

As Nymira relaxed in the warm water, she sighed with contentment.

The door creaked open.

“Darian,” she said with a serious smile when she saw him at the door. “You always show up unannounced.”

“The baby is asleep, and I wanted to make sure you’re okay. They say Nome has run away because he found out about the baby...”

“No, I don’t want to hear about him,” Nymira interrupted. She touched her sore breasts, which were partly visible in the water.

He moved closer and touched her hand, kneeling.

“I’m thinking about Tartuf,” Nymira said. “He had been sick for weeks, and despite the kingdom’s best healers, he was getting worse. It was a sharp contrast to the joy of our new baby, and it weighed heavily on my heart.” Nymira wiped away a tear and continued, “Thank you, Darian, for being by my side. I hope you have found happiness in the gift of a child. I have granted you a child you longed for. Has this quenched your thirst?.”

“Partly, Mother.”

“Partly?” Nymira moved closer and gently kissed his cheek, “You wanted this, right? You wanted to make me pregnant and have your baby. You achieved it, but now you should find a proper wife, a real mother for your future children.”

“So, do you think this is the end of it? Do you think I’ve had enough of just one child and won’t want to continue?”

“Darian, it was just one mischief. I fear that Tartuf’s illness is the gods’ punishment for our love. We can’t go on...”

But he was firm. “I want you to bear my children for as long as you are capable. If Tartuf’s life is ever cut short, I promise you a new son. I yearn for a large family, a thriving brood. I want you to be the mother of all my children, my offspring--all of them.”

“No, Dairan,” She pulled away, taken aback by the depth of her son’s desire, and contemplated his words. She couldn’t believe what she had unleashed; her son yearned to bring another child into the world through her.