Chapter 11
Dane turned to face Athens, who had whispered his name. One hand was outstretched, reaching for him. He rushed to her side, nearly throwing himself to the floor to wrap his arms around her. She writhed in pain as the life inside her wriggled. Her belly had grown to twice its previous size and agony marred her face. Sweat-soaked locks of hair stuck to her face.
“The baby…” she groaned.
Dane sat up and pulled her to his broad chest. She shivered and Dane pressed his forehead to hers. Her skin burned into his.
Dane studied her faded aura and whispered, “I thought you were…” He let his voice trail off, unwilling to complete the thought.
Athens shook her head. “You only took back the life you had given me,” she said.
Dane turned her face to his and their eyes locked. Her teal eyes were dark and Dane reached for their connection. Intense sorrow filled him as he was met with emptiness.
“The baby…” Athens whispered. Dane looked down at her stomach and dread descended on his heart.
“Your body can’t handle it,” he said. “Please… you need a doctor.”
“Too late,” she said.
“No!” said Dane, trembling. He rose, lifting her with him.
Athens’ eyes fluttered close and her head rolled against Dane’s chest. Her breathing slowed and grew shallow.
Dane raced to the back of the cave along the tunnel, catapulting himself through the pitch-black shaft. He drew on his newly elevated senses to guide him in the darkness. He stumbled into the dank room under Noah’s office and gently laid Athens in the armchair. Her stomach had grown during their hurried journey through the tunnel and Dane saw his offspring press against her body, reaching to the outside world. Fumbling for the heavy book that Noah had cast aside, Dane flipped through its pages as his desperation filled the air.
“Dane…” said Athens. His head jerked up at the sound of her voice and tears stung his eyes. Her skin was pale, paler than his.
“I’ll make this right,” he said, returning to the book.
Page after yellowed page he searched, eternity stretching before him. Finally, his trembling fingers found their destination. Dane scrambled to Athens’ side, taking in her laboured breathing. The baby’s motion had stopped and Dane felt pangs of loss envelop him.
“I’ll make this right,” he repeated, leaning over her still body. Dane glanced at the pages one last time and bent over Athens’ weakened form. He pressed his lips to her cold ones and slowly opened her mouth with his. Dane mustered all his strength – strength he had obtained from his Athens – and breathed into her. Heat rose in his chest as he exhaled, pushing life into her drained body. Athens gasped beneath him and Dane felt his energy seep into her. He closed his eyes, waiting for darkness to cover him.
Athens’ tongue reached into Dane’s fiery mouth and his eyes flew open. Dane lifted his head and her blue-green eyes met his. Athens and pulled him back to her, pressing her lips to his. Dane sighed against her soft, probing lips, trembling as his strength ebbed.
Dane’s legs buckled under him and he collapsed, slipping from Athens’ grip. The anguish in her eyes reached out to him as he slumped to the ground.
“Dane!” Athens cried, leaning over him.
He lay on the cold concrete, paralyzed. He was helpless as she wept and shook him, begging him to get up. Athens would live. Their child would live. Serenity filled Dane as silence took the place of Athens’ anguished wails.
Darkness descended and the sun set on Djgarr, Dragon Lord of the North.
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