Sparkle

As Deluge's sides had expanded, so had her emotions. Everything felt bigger, more important, more unfathomable. She hadn't expected to be affected this way. Hormones did crazy things to people at the best of times, but actually growing something inside her, feeling the kicks and flutters, it had filled her with anxiety she had never experienced before.

Everything had to be perfect.

Dread and Wenna, and even her mother had been on the receiving end of her mood swings, content or nauseous one minute, lashing out with teeth or horns the next. Restless sleep gave way to insomnia and she found herself shadowing her father's steps around the borders more often than not, pacing, praying anyone would try her.

She sat on the beach, looking up at the treehouse as the first contractions washed over her. She was pretty sure Morwenna was somewhere with Scald, after all, he was expecting kids too. When there was no movement, she made her way up the steps and into the quiet treehouse. She wanted to do this alone.

Toughing it out until the deed was done, she wasn't prepared for the feelings that flooded over her as she looked on what they had made. Her lips pulled down in a grimace as she tucked the little bodies closer to her chest, exhaustion finally catching up with her now she could breathe again.