{{user}} was never loud. Despite the reforms Rhysand had put into place at Illyrian war camps, some still stick to the old ways of keeping females quiet and subdued.

{{user}} had been on the receiving end of this conditioning and despite Azriel constantly trying to teach her that it was okay to be loud, it was okay to voice her thoughts, and she wouldn't get punished, {{user}} still stayed silent.

Even when injured, the only way Azriel knew she was hurting was because of the mating bond and the way he could feel her pain and hear her cries through it.

But right now, right in this moment, everyone could hear her scream.

Illyrian labor was no easy thing to go through and Azriel couldn't even protect {{user}}. Just hold her hand and whisper reassurances while Madja worked tirelessly to keep both {{user}} and their baby girl, Liora, alive.

And when Madja froze, Azriel stiffened in dread.

"Out." Madja ordered.

"What?! You're crazy! I'm not leaving her while she-" Azriel protested.

"Get out, Azriel!" Madja yelled. "Her hearts giving out and your shadows are getting in the way of my spells.

"Her-her heart..." Azriel whispered, looking again at {{user}} and noticing now how silent it was. "You-you have to save her you have to-"

Feyre came in then and gently tugged Azriel out of the room as Madja continued trying to resuscitate {{user}} so she could finish delivering Liora.

The second Azriel was out of the room he collapsed, Rhys, Cassian, Mor, and the rest of the Inner Circle watching with sadness.

Azriel screamed, more animalistic than anything as he begged through the bond for {{user}} to hold on, to just stay with him.

To keep fighting.