I hurried across plush carpets woven in shades of sky, to an enormous bed hung with transparent, snowy silk. The silk draped down from a golden butterfly as long as I was tall. It hung from a chain over the bed, its metal feet grasping the delicate material. Beneath this golden monarch sat a true monarch, and she was trying to give birth to her first child.
“Queen Breana,” I said gently as I took her hand, “listen to the midwife, she knows what she's talking about.”
“Queen Vervain,” Breana said with relief. “Thank you for coming.”
“Of course. I'm happy to sit with you and reassure you that this is all normal,” I said with a look at the poor midwife. “Even with magic, babies take time to be born. You have to let your child come at its own pace.”
“Oh,” Breana panted. “But, I feel as if I need to push.”
“The wings are caught, my Queen,” the midwife explained after giving me a grateful look. “Just give me a few more moments to adjust them.”
“See? Just let her... I'm sorry, what's your name?” I asked the midwife.
“Clara, Queen Vervain.” She glanced up to smile at me.
“Let Clara do what she's here to do.” I brushed back Breana's thick, ebony hair.
There was nearly no difference in tone from the Air Queen's skin to her hair, just a seamless black from forehead to glossy strands. Breana sighed and closed her eyes, her huge wings trembling before settling down against the mountain of pillows she was propped up against. Clara had the Air Queen scooted down near the foot of the bed, knees up in the traditional manner, which allowed the Queen's wings to swing back and drape across the mattress behind her. The bright colors of orange and yellow seemed like flames against their black background, and I couldn't help admiring them. So pretty.
“Where are all of your ladies in waiting?” I asked Breana to distract her as Clara began to sweat. “And why isn't your husband in here?
“I didn't want them fluttering around me and that includes Fionn. He's so terrified that it makes me nervous.” Breana waved her hand listlessly. “I just wanted women who have been through this before. Royal women who understand how stressful this is. I asked Duchess Lorna to come as well, but you're the first to arrive.”
“Faerie sent me. I had only just returned to Faerie when she told me I should come here before going home.”
“Faerie sent you?” Breana smiled beatifically. “Thank you, Faerie.”
You're welcome, Faerie said gently in both of our minds. Then she spoke directly to me. At least, I hope that she did. Vervain, keep calm and help that baby. You're going to be needed very soon.
What?! I screeched inside my head. They have magic here. Why would they need me? My star is weak now.
Some things even Faeries don't know. My children have relied on their magic for too long. They tend to overlook the basics. Now, get down there!
“Push now, Queen Breana!” Clara said confidently.
I didn't want to worry Breana so I hesitated at her side while she bore down.
Vervain!
I'm going, just give me a second!
That child doesn't have a second!
“I'm just going to take a quick peek,” I said to Breana. “Keep going, you're doing great!”
I let go of Breana's hand, gently extricating myself from her death grip, and then hurried down to the foot of the bed, navigating around a golden bed poster. The baby had been born within the short amount of time that it took for me to go those few steps, and it lay within Clara's arms silently. Utterly still.
Slick wings wrapped around the child like the petals of a flower, covering its body completely, only its precious face showed. Its precious blue face. Not that there was anything abnormal about a blue-skinned faerie, but I had a feeling that this baby wasn't supposed to be that color.
“Sweet Faerie, help us,” Clara whispered as she started to weep.
“What's happening?” Breana demanded. “Where is my baby?”
“Give us a second here, Breana,” I said firmly and took the blue baby from the midwife.
“What's happening?!” Breana screamed.
“I don't know yet,” I kept my voice as calm as possible. “Give me a second.”
“The babe is stillborn,” Clara whispered to me. “Strangled by her mother while I tried to release its wings. I should have been more adamant about her not pushing. I should—”
“Shut up!” I hissed at Clara as I laid the baby on the floor and smoothed goo off her little face. “Help me unfurl these wings!”
“Breana!” Fionn came rushing into the room.
“Fionn!” Breana screeched back. “They won't give me the babe!”
Clara's shaking hands moved over the wings, carefully peeling them back to reveal the umbilical cord that was wrapped around the baby's neck. The child had inherited her father's paler complexion and all of it was tinted blue. The little limbs flopped loosely once freed of the wet wings. Lifelessly. I hurried to unwind the cord and then opened the baby's mouth with my finger. Setting my lips firmly over the child's mouth, I hoped that I didn't do more harm than good with my dusty CPR skills. I knew that giving CPR to a newborn was a delicate, dangerous thing, but I couldn't think of anything else to do. I breathed into that tiny body while Clara gasped beside me.
“Oh, no,” Fionn whispered as he stood over me. “No, please no.”
“Your wife needs you!” I shouted at Fionn as I gently pressed on the child's chest.
Fionn just gaped at me.
“Please tell me my baby is okay,” Breana sobbed.
“My love,” Fionn hurried to his wife, jolted out of his fear by her voice. “It will be okay. Queen Vervain is helping her breathe. She just needs a little help, that's all.”
“Her?” Breana sobbed. “We have a daughter?”
“We have a daughter,” Fionn said softly as he slid onto the bed and held his wife, but his eyes were full
