She’s been awaiting this birth eagerly, counting down the days to spring.
Life in Paradise Beach has been everything she had hoped it would be - quiet, peaceful and safe. Despite her concerns, Gryffen has not bothered them since the incident in the field, and she, Szeth and Skull have lived out their days unbothered by his presence.
The quiet and lush herd land has done both Syl and Szeth some good too - Syl has fattened up nicely during this second pregnancy, and Szeth has grown from a scrawny little foal to a handsome yearling.
And Skull, oh Skull. The roan stallion has been a blessing in both their lives. Syl has grown to care for him in the past year, and so has Szeth. Skull has done nothing but treat them with kindness, and has treated Szeth as his own son since the day they arrived. They are a small, but happy family. And Syl cannot wait to add to that family.
When the labour pains begin, she hides herself away in the mangrove stand that Skull had taken them to on their first day. Szeth respectfully keeps his distance, but paces outside the stand.
The birth itself is quick and easy, as it had been with Szeth, and in less than an hour a little damp bundle is lying in the sand. Syl rises quickly and cleans the child, noting with pleasure that, this time, it is a little girl. A little filly to complete their little family. Her pleasure turns to concern however when she sees the purple flecks mixed in to the girl’s dark coat. She had not thought that the faerie’s ‘gifts’ from her time with Nerissa and Lena could be inherited by her children … she just hopes to god that the colour is the only thing the child has inherited.
Trying to keep the worry from her voice, she calls out to Szeth. “Szeth, call your father! You have a little sister!” As Szeth’s voice begins to ring out, she settles back into cleaning the girl. Hopefully Skull will be along soon - she can’t wait for him to meet his daughter!
syl
when you think of love do you think of pain?