For the second time in as many days, the princess's - no, the Queen's - cries echo off the castle walls. The pain is blinding, unlike anything she's ever felt. Cassandra can hear the calls for the midwife as she doubles over, her crown barely staying on her head.
"Fight, Cassie. Fight."
Who's voice is that? Cassandra cannot tell. But the voice - voices? - keeps repeating it to her, over and over again. Horace doesn't leave her right side, and her left side is guarded at all times by one of the others. They hold her hand, let her dig her fingernails in their arms. They tell her to push, to fight.
Fight, Cassie. Fight.
She screams, and sobs, and screams and sobs as she fights to push the baby into the world. Screams and sobs until the cries of her daughter drown out all other noises. Her daughter.
"We need to share the good souls," Cassandra whispers to the babe in her arms. Crowley looks up in surprise. The Queen smiles at him, encouraging him to speak to her for the first time since he'd broken the news of her father's death to her. The Ranger Commandant does.
"Sometimes a soul is born, so pure and beautiful, that Heaven wants something in return. They'll take someone we love so we can redirect our love to that new and shining soul. It sounds cruel, but it's alright, because we need to share the good souls." There's the faintest hint of a lump in his throat, but he disguises it neatly. Cassandra nods her head in thanks.
"It's what you used to tell me when I asked you where my mother was. And it's what I'll tell my daughter when she asks about her grandfather."
Crowley bows his head, but his Queen isn't done with him yet.
"Crowley?"
The Commandant is forced to raise his eyes until they meet his Queen's. There's pain in her eyes, as he knows there is in his. But neither of them looks away.
"As far as my father was concerned, your job was never to protect him. It was to protect me. And you did. You've kept me safe, from the moment I was born until every day that followed. You have done your job. Now let yourself grief."
Crowley doesn't mean for the tears to fill his eyes, but they do. His vision is blurred when he thanks his Queen and leaves. When the baby in her arms begins to cry again, a smile touches Crowley's lips.
Despite the efforts of the Red Fox Clan, despite their determination, the monarchy will live on with its Queen and Princess.