After sending the letter to Aylward I fell unconscious. I used too much of power that day, between the protection spell and the wind magic. Hadeon came in and found me, almost dead, on the floor. He scooped me up, put me on the bed, called the doctor, and made sure Amory and I were ok.

     “Is your plan to kill yourself and the baby? Were you trying to use your useless magic to escape again?! You will be here until the baby is born, then you will die. I don’t care if you want to kill yourself, but you will not harm the baby!” Hadeon was yelling as soon as I was conscious. I wasn’t left alone until my labor pains started, two days later.

     The doctor was here. Hadeon was here, waiting until he could swoop in and steal my sweet Amory away from me.

     I couldn’t hold back anymore. My time with my baby was ending. I was laying in the bed, watching the two vultures hover over me, waiting to snatch my baby away. All I could do was beg for a moment with him before they took him.

     “Please, Hadeon. Please let me hold him for just a few minutes!” I begged as I was panting from pain. “Hadeon, what is a few minutes when you have his whole life?! Please!!!!”

     “Alright! Yes, you can have your precious few moments, then he is mine!” Hadeon looked pleased to have made me beg, but I didn’t care. I would be able to hold him, to kiss him, to sing him his lullaby one last time.

     His loud cried were filling the air, he was here finally. Hadeon had the doctor check him out then they left me with him for a few minutes. I poured every ounce of love I had out on him. With every kiss and every hug was another protection spell cast. I sang him our lullaby and watched as he calmed down while wrapped in my embrace. He fell asleep with a gurgle of contentment.

     I had enough life force for one more large protection spell. I was running out of time, so with one last kiss on his forehead, I whispered the spell. I was fading away from him, so I gently laid him on the bed.

     “I will love you for always, Amory.” I faded away as soon as I saw Hadeon run back into the room.

     A few minutes and a mother’s endless love are more than enough power to fend off Hadeon until my brother finds Amory.