Atlanta held her sister-in-law’s hand when she cried out, “Not much longer Anitra. The midwife said your little one should be here before morning.”
Distant bangs made them both wince, an unwelcome reminder of the war raging outside. An unwelcome reminder that these children might be born without a father.
Anitra kept her hand on her stomach, eyes filling with tears, “It hurts. Somethings wrong. I feel like something's wrong.”
A gasp alerted Atlanta to another presence, one she wasn’t prepared to see. Her brother’s firstborn stood in the door, a terrified look on her face.
“Auntie, what’s going to happen to Ma?”
Luna, you’re supposed to be in bed,” Atlanta left Anitra’s side for a moment, placing her hand on the nine-year-olds shoulder, “She’ll be fine. The first birth is always the hardest.”
Luna nodded and walked to her stepmother’s side, “Ma, you need to breathe. If you breathe it will be easier.”
Anitra smiled before she grimaced, “I know honey. Go wait in your room okay? You need to sleep.”
“But what if you need me?”
“I’ll be fine,” Anitra nodded to Atlanta, “I need someone to be able to greet your father in the morning.”
Luna allowed her aunt to lead her away, looking back when a servant took the lead. Atlanta rushed back, wincing when Anitra cried out once more.
“Just a little longer Anitra. Just a little longer until you have your little one.”
Anitra huffed, crystal blue eyes closing, “I swear if you say that one more time I’m going to punch you.”
“Punch me and I’ll declare you healthy enough to learn to spar.”
Anitra chuckled before grimacing again, doing her best to focus on what the midwife was telling her. Atlanta, for her part, held her sister-in-law’s hand, muttering words of encouragement.
“That’s it your highness, one more push and your little one will be here,” taking a deep breath Anitra cried out as she brought her child into the world, still tense.
“Is my baby okay?”
Atlanta didn’t get a chance to answer, almost shocked to the bone as the midwife announced that she saw another child on the way.
“Now you have two surprises for my brother,” Atlanta joked calmly, despite her eyes moving to the window where she could see the fires on the battlefield.
The mermaid cussed, tears slipping out as she used the last of her strength to push her second child into the midwife’s hands, collapsing as her newborn’s cry filled the air, “Are they okay?”
“They are alright, your highness,” the midwife reassured, laying the firstborn twin into his mother’s arms, “I’ll hand your younger boy to Atlanta after I clean him up.”
Anitra nodded and stared down at her elder son, muttering his name under her breath, “Adam. My little Adam.”
Atlanta smiled softly, the normally stoic princess showing a sign of love, “And what is the name of my other nephew? Or did you and Adrian not plan that far ahead?”
“You name him,” Anitra smiled, looking at the small bundle, imagining her younger son’s face.
Sitting down, Atlanta contemplated, “Breydan. After your father.”
“Thank you. I’m almost surprised you remember.”
The smile died when the midwife cleared her throat, looking very uncomfortable, “Your Highness, I regret to inform you that you should not have any more children. The difficult pregnancy and long labor indicate it would be too dangerous.”
“What? But if I’m more careful and rest more often, shouldn’t it be safe?”
“I’m sorry Princess. But mermaids are known to have a hard time with births. Princess Cora would’ve been under the same advice if she had not passed.”
Anitra teared up, nodded silently as she looked at her children, reminding herself they were there.
Atlanta bit her lip, trying to find some way to comfort the woman next to her. Trying to tell her that, although the dreams she and her husband held over a large family couldn’t come true, they still had three, “It’s alright, Adrian won’t be angry. At least you have your twins and they’re healthy.”
Anitra nodded, “I know. It just hurts.”
Eventually, Anitra slept, leaving Altlanta to her thoughts. There were bright red fires blazing on the hillside, bangs sounding faint as glass bottles filled with liquid flame were thrown.
Is this it? Will my niece and nephews no longer have their father? Will we be left alone to fight?
The sun began to peek over the trees and hillsides, bathing the already red landscape in a golden light. Atlanta closed her eyes, waiting for collapsing relief or terrifying heartbreak.
Eventually, Anitra woke up, excepting the food given to her, “Lanta, what are you doing?”
“Waiting. That’s all that’s left to do now.”
After a few minutes, bells rang and people outside cheered. The redheaded friends glanced at each other, barely daring to hope.
“Papa come on! Ma said I had to lead you to her,” a distant shout got Atlanta moving. She handed Adam to Anitra, holding Breydan in her arms.
Adrian entered, covered in bruises and bandages, “Are you alright?” he asked, sitting on the side of the bed, “They said the birth was difficult.”
“It was. I would go through it again,” Anitra admitted, eyes filling once more with tears, “They said I can’t have any more children. That the risk of death is too great for me to get pregnant.”
Adrian closed his eyes, “At least we have our baby and Luna. I want all of my family, even if we can’t make it bigger. All I care about is you being safe.”
“Do you want to hold him?” Anitra offered, passing Adam into the arms of his father, “That’s Adam.”
“And this is Breydan,” Atlanta passed her nephew to his mother, watching the realization dawn, “I told you there would be two surprises to give my brother.”
“Twins, we have twins,” Adrian confirmed with his wife, “By gods thank you, Anitra.”
“They wouldn’t exist without you,” Anitra said, trying to tease and smile “Besides, I know one way we can make our family bigger.”
“And how is that?”
“Atlanta finally goes to one of the orphanages.”
Atlanta laughed, “One day I might. But then you guys would have two hundred nieces and nephews.”
Her siblings chuckled, some of the heavy energy lifted. Atlanta lifted her skirt, bowing her head to her brother, curtsying in court fashion, “Your majesty.”
Adrian looked up, fear and hope battling in his tired eyes, “Atlanta-”
“I support it. I’ll lead your army if needed. Now, I need to go check on Amory and Alyssa.”
She left the room quickly, running to her younger siblings to deliver the news, her maid Amber joining her. Dread filled them as the voice of King Phoenix reached past the door, “You should not be playing with this servant girl Amory. She is below your station!”
“I wanted to practice dancing,” Amory’s timid voice became louder when Atlanta entered the nursery with Amber behind her, “Alyssa was practicing her studies so I couldn’t practice with her. I wanted to be able to surprise you and momma at the winter ball.”
“It was my idea that he practiced with Nina, Father,” Atlanta curtsied before explaining, “They are of similar height and age, and most nobles do not have children Amory’s age. Not to mention the battles have been unnerving many. I thought it best if he practiced with Nina and spoke with her in order to keep his head clear.”
King Phoenix scoffed and huffed at his daughter, “You have a gentle heart daughter, and I see your logic. He may continue to practice his lessons with Nina whenever her mother has no use for her. Now, what of Anitra and her spawn?”
Atlanta felt Amber tense behind her, and did not bother to hide the flash in her own silver eyes, “Anitra had twins last night, and Adrian and Luna are with them now. If you go visit them, be gentle. The birth was hard and Adrian is exhausted from battle.”
“Watch your tongue daughter.”
“You try sitting all night, first wondering if your brother's wife is going to die, and then wondering if the children said wife gave birth to are going to have a father when the sun rises,” Atlanta forced tears into her eyes and a quiver into her voice, “I apologize, I cannot bear a harsh word right now. My heart aches at one.”
King Phoenix stared at his favorite child, a small moment of softness coming to his face, “Very well. It is obvious you are exhausted and worn out. I will not lecture them on much today, as long as you promise to rest your pretty head.”
“I promise, your majesty.”
“Good,” the tyrant rubbed Atlanta’s head, “Rest my red princess. Stay here with Amory and Alyssa, and let Amber pamper you. It’s a king's order.”
“As my sovereign and father wishes,” everybody curtsied or bowed to the king, waiting for him to leave before letting out a breath, “What in the hell were you thinking?”
Amory shrunk at his sister's question, “Alyssa wanted her tea while studying, and I needed a dance partner. So when Nina came up I asked her if she would dance with me.”
“Please don’t be angry with him, your highness,” Nina pleaded, big green eyes shining, “I know the king can be angry, but I can handle whatever punishment he gives me.”
“That’s not possible Nina,” Atlanta motioned for the two to sit on the settee near the fire, taking her own seat in an armchair, “My father is ruthless and he would harm you greatly. For now, only interact with Amory if he approaches you or you’re dancing with him. The same goes for you Amory, only approach her if it’s to talk about lessons or there is something you need her to grab.”
Both kids nodded, clearly unhappy, “Yes ma’am.”
Atlanta smiled exhaustedly, determined to allow her brother time with his friend, “Now show me the dance you were practicing.”
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