Here's the next chapter. Now we can get some real action. One more chapter to go!!
Battle On!
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Grace's POV
4 months later
A deep horn bellow echoed through the dragon citadel.
Grace jerked awake, jolted from peaceful slumber. "What's going on?" The horn blared again.
Darius jolted awake as well. "That is the battle horn." He quickly got out of the bed rushed quickly to the giant doors. He opened them to find that every dragon in the castle was hurrying to the gates. She could hear shouts and orders intensify through the corridors. Darius closed the doors and rushed back to her. "Grace, find the other mates. Take them to the West Tower. It is the only safe place there is here." He helped her out of bed quickly and wrapped a warm robe around her body.
"I'll be fine," Grace said hurriedly, "But what about you?"
"I will be fine once I get rid of those damn demons." He gave her quick passionate kiss, letting his hand trail down to her very swollen belly. "Please be careful, all three of you."
Grace smiled at his concern. "We will be fine. Go." She gave him another kiss before he ran out of the room. She quickly followed him to the doors, watching as he met up with Brand, but this time, he had a woman with him. His girlfriend thought Grace and she knew the girl from her childhood years. Lila Fontenot.
Both women watched as their men ran to meet up with the other soldiers. Grace walked up to Lila, clutching the robe around her body, "We better head to the West Tower."
"Agreed," Lila stated. Both women hurried to the other side of the castle to the obelisk-like tower that was well over 30 stories high. Long way to drop. Once there, they meet up with Shaye, Delilah (who was pregnant herself), Alyssa, and Brenna. The group made their way swiftly up the stairs and to the roof of the crystal-like tower.
All of them walked over to the ledge to spy on what was happening now. Lila cried, "Look," pointing towards the giant mass of soldiers before the castle. Grace immediately knew what made up those masses. Vampires and Nymphs.
She could see the Nymph King, Valerian, Shaye's mate, on top of black stallion in front of the massively large battalions. She also saw the Vampire King, Layel, Delilah's mate, levitating in the air, scanning the ongoing scenery with some other scouts. She recognized Darius in his dragon form with a very large reptile body with emerald scales and expanding wings.
The women watched as each leader gave their form of advancement. Darius let out roar, while Layel and Valerian shouted a battle cry. The vampires and dragons took to the skies while the nymphs rode on the backs of centaurs and horses, leaving the palace in utter silence. Grace heard Lila sigh, breaking the stillness, "So now what?"
"Looks like we are stuck here for the time being," Delilah answered. "I have word from my sister, Nola that she and her mate will meet up with the armies later on."
"Damn it, she is lucky," Alyssa cursed, "I wanted to go with them. I have been dying to do some combat."
"So why didn't you go?" The question was from quiet Brenna.
"Shivawn would not allow it."
Lila spoke up, "I know. Brand didn't want me to go into battle as well. I really hate that about men."
"What? That they care for us?" That one was from Shaye.
Lila replied, "No. That they hog all the fun."
"Well, right now, I rather be safe with my child then out doing battle." Delilah smoothing a hand over her stomach. Grace had to guess that she was about 3 months now.
Grace decided to give in her opinion, "I agree on that notion. I'd rather stay in bed than fight demons."
"No offense, Gracey, but you look like a hissing kitten when you fight."
"Shut up, Lila." She retorted. Grace had known Lila from when she used to live in South Carolina. Lila had grown up with 4 uncles and they all taught her their way of surviving in the world from combat training, to acrobatics, to martial arts. Not to mention that the females in her family always carried some sort of power. Lila's was the ability to talk to animals. One time, Grace caught Lila talking to the horses on one of her uncle's summer ranch and she was neighing, snorting, the whole number. How in the world she ended up with Brand, Grace will never know.
Lila's POV
They began to laugh at Grace's comment when Lila, Alyssa, and Delilah stiffen.
"Hey guys, you feeling okay?" Grace questioned when Lila sniffed the air.
"We got to get out here."
"Why?"
"I can sense demons are heading this way."
"And they're coming fast."
Grace began to gather everyone to the tower's staircase, "We need to hurry. We'll be safer inside, then—," Too late. A group of demons landed on the tower's balcony as Lila and Alyssa began down the stairs as last of the group.
Lila unsheathed her two swords from the straps on her back as the demons drew closer. "Alyssa, I need you to carry Grace down the steps. Try to get her to the main hall as fast you can."
Alyssa nodded her headed, "You got it." She helped Grace on to her back and jumped down the flight of steps with ease.
Lila turned her attention towards the others, "Everyone else, get behind me and run down the steps as fast as you can."
"But—"
"Go! I'll be fine."
The reluctantly agreed. "All right. Be careful, Lila."
"Brand will have our heads if we let you die on us."
Lila could only chuckled, "Hey, I didn't get these paints on my arms for nothing," pointing to her tribal tattoos on her forearms and her Celtic bands on her upper arms. "Now, go!"
As soon as they began down the steps, the demons attacked. Lila missed their onslaughts of claws and teeth. She swung her swords towards the first one, slashing across the neck and chest. Again, the attack was applied to the rest of the demons as they continued their assault. Too easy
Lila heard each and every one of their thoughts as they continued their assault.
I can smell the sweetness in her blood.
This puny human will make excellent meal. As well as the babes of the three human women.
Three? Lila thought that only Grace was the only pregnant human.
I wanted a taste of an Amazon and her babe for so long.
I have wondered what the taste of that half breed's blood and her babe is like.
Okay, too much info.
Lila quickly finished off the remaining demons by slashing the last two's throats. Thank god for her uncles and their trainings. She sheathed her swords once again just as she heard Grace's scream.
Oh shit.
She quickly ran down the stairs and followed the scream once again to the main hall as she observed the situation. Alyssa being attacked by another group of demons, protecting Brenna, Grace, Shaye, and Delilah behind her. Lila quickly ran to them. She knew that pulling out her swords again would be useless, so she went with her other option, martial arts.
Lila swiftly snucked up to the first demon, taking him down with a leg sweep to the feet from behind. Then she jumped above him, using her elbow to crush her opponents wind pipe. Score one for karate. The demons took notice of their fallen comrade and began to circle around Lila now.
She took a quick peek at the others. They were all fine, even Alyssa who had a few scratches here and there.
One demon charged her on one side while another demon charged her other. Lila stood completely still, waiting. As they drew closer, she shifted her center of weight her right as she grabbed the demon's arm and flung her surprised attacker over her shoulder, and straight into the other demon. Both of them grappled to the ground as she sliced their throats with her knife from her boot. Score two for jujitsu. Another two demons were in front of her. This time, she made the first move. Curled fists close to her head, Lila charged one demon, coming up close with right arm hook, right in the demon's gut causing him to hunch over. She kneed him in the chin, causing his head to rise and leave his neck exposed. Finally, Lila punched hard where the demon's trachea was, letting the now-dead corpse hit the ground...hard. Score three for Muay-Thai.
And now for the last one.
Lila faced off her attacker with her arms spread slightly open, her body angled and calm. The demon gave no second thought as he attacked her. She quickly dodged the demon's claws as they tried to grab her. Lila kept moving from left to right in small circle, and then she kicked her leg up high across the demon's face, hearing a smack as her ankle mad contact. Bringing her second leg up, she delivered the final kick of a capoiera roundhouse. The demon's neck immediately snapped, sending the lifeless body into a wall.
Finally it was over. Not yet.
Grace began to scream again as Lila saw her crouching over her belly. Lila quickly ran to her as the others backed off except for Brenna. Thank god above that she was doctor. Brenna did quick examine over Grace and looked at Lila, "This is not good. She's going into labor."
"WHAT?!" Everyone was practically frantic by now as Grace's breath began to labor.
Lila quickly stepped up. "Okay, we need to work fast. Shaye, find any towels that are not covered with blood or dirty."
Shaye nodded, "You got it," she said as she ran to find them.
"Alyssa, can we get Grace into her chambers?"
"Yes, I believe so. I do not sense anymore demons in the chambers."
"Okay. Delilah, we are going to need plenty of hot water and something sharp if we want these babies alive and well."
"I will get them," Delilah replied as she went to find the items.
Lila and Alyssa carried Grace into her chambers, with Brenna following behind them. Finally, they reached the chambers and placed her gently on the bed. Lila turned to Brenna, "Bri, I'm going to need your help."
"What do you want me to do?" Brenna questioned softly
Lila spoke to her, "I need you to comfort Grace for now, but once the babies are out, I want you to clean them up, okay?"
Brenna began to shake. It looked like she was about to faint when Lila grabbed her arms in calming gesture. "You will be fine. If you have taken care of worse patients in hospitals before, you can certainly deliver babies."
Brenna calmed down as Lila reassured her. "Alright."
They went back to work when Lila heard Grace,"Are...my...babies...okay?" she whispered softly between breaths. Pain began to strike her body as she cried out.
"Your babies are going to be fine, Grace." Lila wiped off the sweat on Grace's forehead with a cloth, "What I need you to do Grace is breath and when I say push, you push, okay?" Grace nod at this.
The doors were heard being open by Delilah and Shaye coming in with the supplies.
Lila prepped everyone for what was about to happen. Now there was one question that remained. Where da hell were the others?
Darius POV
Darius ran down the corridor as fast as he could. He could Grace's scream echoing through the castle.
When he, Valerian and Layel went to find their mates, they found slained demon bodies on top of the west tower and in the main hall. It was also then that Darius heard Grace's blood-curdling scream. If anything were to have happened to his Sweet Grace, nothing will stop him from seeking revenge.
"Darius, wait up." But he did not slow down. Couldn't. He could hear Brand's footsteps behind him as well, including the others as they race down the hall. Another scream was heard from his chambers.
"GRACE!!" He bellowed as he came to the closed doors. Then everything went quiet. The panting breaths could be heard until two of the most beautiful cries sounded.
The doors opened to small petite dark-haired woman. Brenna, Darius guessed.
"Would you like to come in?"
His only answer was a nod. Words right now refused to leave his throat as he walked in. Grace was lying in bed, tired and exhausted, and she looked like the most beautiful woman to him. He was quickly at her side on the bed, grabbing a small towel from the bowl, squeezing the excess water from it and dabbing her forehead. She sighed with relief, "That feels good." She turned her head to smile at him. He could feel his own lips tug a small smile out of him.
He kissed her forehead, "How are you feeling?"
"Like I have been stretched out by horses and then put back together."
He chuckled at this until she said, "Would you like to see them?"
He swallowed, again nodding, words refusing to form from his throat. Another dark-haired woman was carrying two small bundles of blankets, one in each arm. She gently placed the first bundle in his arms and he couldn't believe at what he saw. A little baby with a dark patch of hair on her head. He quickly glanced at Grace to see her accept the other little bundle in her arms before he returned to his gaze to the baby in his arms. She had her eyes closed at the moment, but her little fingers were opening and closing as if trying to catch something. He shifted slightly, holding a finger close to the hands and the baby quickly grasped it, refusing to let go. It was then his breath was caught in his throat. Two sleepy crystal blue eyes stared back at him for a while before the closed again with an adorable yawn.
Darius again turned to Grace who was crying softly now, whispering, "Our daughter," to the little baby in his arms and then "Our son," to the little one in her arms. He quickly saw two bright aqua eyes staring at him from his little boy before they closed as well. By now, he was dumbfounded, just staring at the two babies and Grace.
He didn't notice the other women leave the room to the arms of their mates. Darius wrapped one arm around Grace's shoulder, pulling her close while holding his daughter in the other. He buried his face in her crimson locks, preventing tears from spilling. He quickly kissed the top of her head, trailing his lips to her forehead, her eyelids, her cheeks, to finally, her own lips. After sometime, he broke the kiss, hugging Grace close, he whispered, "Thank you," over and over again.
Long moments later, he felt Grace relax in his grip. He peered down at her angelic face to see that she had fallen asleep as well as the babies. He pressed another kiss to her head as he settled down close to Grace without causing her or the babies any discomfort on the bed. He pressed kiss to his daughter's small, dark tuff of hair and one to his son's dark tuff of hair as well.
"Sleep well, my beloveds." And with that, he once again fell asleep with a smile on his lips.
It's finally here. Please leave plenty of reviews por favor! Story's not over yet. One more chapter to go!
Till next time!! =^_^=