Tessonja Odette [Odette - Shadows of Lela

I felt her screams before they left her mouth.

A pain that was not my own invaded my body, flooding my senses with ripples of terror. I sat upright in my bed and rubbed sleep from my eyes, trying to separate myself from the intrusion. The sharpness in my abdomen and pressure between my thighs were not the sensations a ten-year-old girl like myself should have.

Linette! The realization sent me running from my bed. No. Please no. Its too early for the baby.

Another scream reverberated through my mind, so much louder and clearer than before. I fell to my knees and put my hands over my ears in an impossible attempt to drown out the sound. I took a deep breath and forced the sound to recede until I was left with nothing more than a sharp ache behind my eyes. My vision blurred as I stood and fled, half-blind and nearly naked in my shift, down the hall.

I ignored the next scream, yet couldnt help but double over with the rekindled fire in my abdomen. I bit my lip, and tears pricked my eyes. Still I forced myself onward, stumbling through the empty corridors of Ridine Castle until I found myself in Linettes room. Empty. I knew where to go next.

The pain grew stronger as I neared the birthing chamber, and I had no doubt I would find her there. My heart sank.

I opened the door to a scene of grim-faced queensmaids surrounding the birthing bed. Linettes pain still burned inside me, yet I managed to keep my composure as I pushed my way past the melancholy women to my sisters side.

Whats wrong? I demanded of the queensmaids, ashamed of how small my voice sounded.

You shouldnt be here, sweet princess, said one of the maids, laying a sympathetic hand on my shoulder. This is no place for a young lady. You should return to your bed.

I shot her a defiant stare, and not another word of reproach was made.

I turned my attention to Linette, quivering and pale upon the bed, auburn hair soaked with sweat, head lolling from side to side as she mumbled and moaned. Her frail, white hands twisted in the bloodstained sheets as she gripped them with all her strength. The midwives were in an anxious flurry at the foot of the bed. This was much worse than last time.

I clutched my abdomen, the pain almost impossible to endure. I wanted to run away. I wanted to free myself from her agony. Yet I remained at her side, still as stone, feeling each spasm as if it were my own.

My eyelids fluttered as waves of pain rose and subsided, over and over, tearing through us both for an endless time. Hours passed. Or was it days? I knew nothing but agony.

Until finally, the torture was over.

Linette lay still. I touched her lightly on the shoulder and she slowly opened her eyes, blinking into the light of the room. She took in the faces around her. When her eyes locked on mine, she pulled her lips into a small smile. I tried to mirror her but could manage no more than pressing my lips into a tight line. No matter what I told myself, I couldnt shake the nagging fear that the danger was yet to pass.

My little sister, Linette whispered and reached a trembling hand toward mine.

A sob escaped my throat as I grasped her cold fingers. Sister.

Linette may not have been of my blood, but she was my sister in every other significance of the word. In the five years since she had married my brother, wed grown closeclose enough for her to fill a portion of the hole in my heart left by my parents deaths. How could I bear it if she left me too?

My baby? Linettes brows furrowed as she lifted her head and tried to look over my shoulder.

I turned to the downcast midwives; they shook their heads, confirming what I already knew. Tears streamed down my face as I delivered the news with a solemn shake of my head.

My heart broke alongside Linettes as I watched the anguish pass over her face. Helpless, I could do nothing but witness the storm of her emotions flooding my consciousness. What use is this curse of mine if I cant help anyone with it?

I prayed for her emotional turmoil to subside so I could be free from it myself, but when it finally did, I realized it could only mean one thing; her fight was over. She was slipping away.

Linettes hand fell limp from my grasp. Get the king! I shouted at the sobbing maids. Now!

A flurry of commotion erupted behind me. It took only a few moments to summon a red-eyed King Dimetreus. His face was slack as he entered the room, and a moan escaped his throat as he fell to his knees at his queens side.

I quickly backed out of the room, gasping for air as I choked on the suffocating emotions. I took flight down the hallway, stopping only when I felt like I could breathe freely again.

I fell to my knees and shouted into my hands. My anguish dissipated into a wail as I pounded my fists on the stone floor beneath me. I cried for the loss of my mother and father. I cried for Linette and the three children shed tried so hard to bring into this world. I cried for the burden I carried, knowing all of this was happening, and being helpless to stop any of it.

Now, now, child, thats enough of that, said a voice behind me, startling me from my grief.

I turned and glared into the pale, long, scowling face of my enemy. My sorrow hardened into hate. What are you doing here, Morkai?

You act as if I dont live here too. He looked down at me with a self-satisfied grin.

I stood and faced Morkai with balled fists. How dare you come near Linettes birthing chamber? I know you are responsible for this.

Coralaine! came my brothers shout from down the hall. How could you say such a thing?

I could barely meet his eyes as I faced him. The pain on his face was enough for me to know Linette was gone. I hung my head and muttered a tearful apology.

Come now, Dimetreus, she is just upset. I take no offense.

I clenched my teeth, hearing the double effect of Morkais voice. The voice my brother heard was genuine and caring, but I could hear his true voice and it was full of mocking and malice.

He has no right to be here, I whispered.

He has every right. Morkai is one of the most powerful mages in all of Lela. Whom else would I want here at a time like this?

My head snapped up and I stared at my brother with wide eyes. You invited him here? To Linettes birthing chambers?

He was trying to save her, Coralaine.

Its true. I gave her a healing tonic and placed every protective spell around her that I know. Im sorry I couldnt do more. Morkai rested his hand on my brothers shoulder in what appeared to be a comforting gesture. But I recognized the influence of control flowing from his palm.