Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“NO!” Sophie yelled, leaping out of Fitz’s arms as she channeled
every drop of energy she had left and ran flat out.
“I don’t . . . see . . . any blood,” Edaline said through panting
breaths, keeping pace right behind her.
Sophie didn’t either.
But Silveny also wasn’t getting up. And her mane looked tangled.
And her usually shimmering fur had somehow dulled.
HELP! PAIN! HURRY! Silveny begged.
What’s happening? Sophie transmitted as she closed the last distance
between them.
PAIN! PAIN! PAIN!
Sophie took a quick glance at Silveny’s body, trying to find a wound
or a twisted limb. But other than her swollen belly, everything looked
normal.
Which left only the bigger worry—the fear Sophie had been trying
so hard not to acknowledge.
Is it the baby?
Silveny lifted her head, letting out a weak snuffle as her goldflecked
brown eyes focused on Sophie—and the fear and heartache in
that stare shredded Sophie’s insides.
Edaline dropped to her knees, running her hands over Silveny’s
belly, which really was huge now that Sophie was closer to it. And
when Silveny’s muscles contracted, Edaline’s eyes met Sophie’s.
“Silveny’s in labor.”