The machine that wrapped around her belly emitted a sound resembling thudding horse hooves. Too slow, Gadriel thought as he gripped Nadira's hand in his big palm. The babe's heartbeat was much too slow."I can't,” Nadira gasped, falling back against the pillows."The babe's too big,” the doctor muttered. “And you've made little progress with the pushing.” His bushy brows puckered as he looked over at the machine that was tracing the baby's heartbeat. “The baby isn't tolerating labour. We're going to have to do an emergency caesarean section.""I don't care,” Nadira grumbled, obviously exhausted. The physician looked at him expectantly and Gadriel felt his heart freeze. The hospital team mobilised so quickly that Gadriel felt as though the room was spinning around him. Flashes of blue and green whirled before him while the sound of a slowing heartbeat thundered in his ears."Gadriel,” Nadira whispered, reaching for him. God, she was so pale, so weak. “Don't leave me.""I'm here, Nadira,”
