Chapter 262: Mine.

Roman carries me in his arms.

Diane is helped along by the mage.

We’re laid on beds and the pain from the contractions almost makes me pass out.

“Your body’s burning, Scarlett.”

I feel water enveloping me and I hear Diane’s low low grunt as she’s laid into the pool too.

The contractions make everything feel hard and painful. My mind slips in and out of a haze and the water is red, so red, but through it all Roman stays with me.

His red eyes are as clear and pure as two scarlet moons.

The indoor swimming pool is converted into a labor room the moment the doctors arrive. I open my eyes weakly to see a whole team of them, strange faces in blue overalls, and the smell of the hospital lingering in the air.

The contractions hit again, and this time Roman helps me onto a table as I grunt and cry my way through them.

This is stronger than anything I've ever felt.

I hear one of them tell Roman firmly, “If you want to be here, wear one of these.”

Roman is back at my side in less than a minute,