Chapter 138 - The heir
The castle was thrown into chaos as word of the baby’s arrival spread like wildfire.
The midwives hurried into the chamber, pushing Cassian aside. He was of no use to them now, no matter how desperately he wished to remain.
Mary was dispatched to fetch the castle’s doctor, Jonah, so that if danger fell upon Lilith, he would be close at hand.
Cassian paced the corridor like a caged beast.
Mary bit at her nails, her shoulders jerking each time Lilith’s cries pierced the heavy oak doors. The sound unsettled her deeply. Lilith, who had always been so strong-willed, so unwilling to show fear, now screamed with a rawness that Mary had never imagined.
"Why can’t childbirth be more peaceful?" Mary muttered, her voice trembling. "I have never heard her scream like that. She has faced intruders in her chamber without flinching. She will be well, won’t she?"
Solomon’s gaze remained fixed on the door, his jaw tight. "She will be fine. Her Majesty has always been strong. I do not expect that to change today. But mind your words since he is already panicking."
Solomon’s eyes flicked towards Cassian, whose face showed nothing other than worry. Solomon had never seen the king so undone, and he could not fault him. Childbirth was dangerous, with too many mothers having fallen ill of late. Too many infants had not survived beyond a season.
Solomon turned his attention to the two neat rows of maids, each line of four, standing silently, waiting for the moment they would be summoned to cleanse the chamber and tend to Lilith.
The maids also were startled, and their expressions were grim with worry each time Lilith’s voice reached outside.
Another cry tore through the silence, creeping beneath the door. Solomon flinched and instinctively stepped forward as Cassian moved towards the chamber.
Though Solomon longed for the doors to open, to see Lilith safe, he was bound by strict orders. Cassian must not enter since his presence would only distract the women inside.
Cassian halted, his fists clenched, before retreating a step.
"He won’t go in," Alexander said quietly, watching Cassian. "He is terrified, yes, but he will not disturb them. If he meant to, he would have stormed the chamber the moment she began to scream."
"Still, we must be ready," Solomon replied, his voice low. "If he moves, we must hold him back. I know your loyalty lies with him, but be prepared."
Alexander’s lips curved into a smile. "I respect the king, but I follow the queen’s orders. She has a way of drawing people to her side."
"She does," Solomon agreed. His body stiffened suddenly. "The door is opening."
The corridor fell silent as everyone held their breaths. Cassian stepped forward and searched the maid’s face for signs. Any sign that both Lilith and the baby were safe.
Then, at last, the cries of a newborn filled the air, high and piercing, yet sweet as music.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty," the midwife said, bowing her head. "The queen has delivered a healthy prince. You may enter."
Cassian brushed past her without reply, his mind consumed by only two thoughts. Lilith and their child.
He moved through the chamber, weaving past the crowd of women, until his eyes found her. Lilith lay upon the bed, her hair damp with sweat, her arms cradling a tiny bundle swaddled in soft cloth.
Lilith’s smile was weary but triumphant. "I won, Cassian. I said we would have a son."
"You did," Cassian breathed, sitting on the chair beside her.
He reached out, gently nudging the blanket aside to glimpse the face of his son.
Cassian bent first to kiss Lilith’s forehead. "Are you well?" He asked, caring about how she felt.
"I am," she whispered, though her body still trembled from the ordeal. "All that pain for this tiny person. Look at him, sleeping so peacefully after causing me such torment. He is beautiful."
Lilith’s eyes glistened as she gazed at her son. "You should hold him quickly, before they take him to be cleaned."
Cassian gathered the infant into his arms, careful as though he held glass. He had practised this moment countless times in his mind, yet reality was far more overwhelming. "He is beautiful indeed. Quite like his mother. Have you chosen his name?"
"No," Lilith shook her head. "I waited for you. If we had a girl, I would have named her after my mother. It is only fitting that our son bear the name of your late father."
"Don’t you think Christian Mortimer suits him? I could endure this once more, perhaps, to have a daughter named after my mother," Lilith said, but the discomfort ruined her certainty.
Cassian looked down at his son, believing the name suited his name perfectly. "Christian is perfect," he said softly. "Thank you."
He longed to embrace Lilith, but his arms were full. Instead, he leaned forward and kissed her lips, not caring about the many eyes upon them.
Cassian’s chest eased for the first time in months. Lilith was safe. Their child lived. He would not face her grief again, nor would Lilith perish.
He held Christian a little longer, memorising the weight of him, before reluctantly passing him to the midwives.
Lilith reclined against the pillows, her gaze never leaving her son. Fear lingered in her heart. Fear that someone might harm him or that he might be taken from her sight.
"I will watch him while you rest," Cassian promised, his hand closing around hers. "He will be safe. I will guard him."
Lilith wasn’t tired. "I cannot rest yet. I must see where they take him."
Cassian hesitated, then spoke. "I heard what you said earlier. About loving me."
Lilith knew it was coming soon for Cassian to mention it. "I know you heard. You must blame your son for spoiling the moment. But I meant it when I said I love you," she repeated it with more confidence. "I love both you and him."
Cassian felt relief after hearing the long-awaited words. "And I love you," he replied, leaning in to kiss her once more, sealing the confession with his devotion to her.