The Fate's Endeavor Experience Book 3; Newly Released

It’s been a long time in the waiting … almost a decade.

The question is, was it worth the wait?

Some say yes.

We’ll let you be the judge.

For the first time ever, C. Desert Rose, in conjunction with All Authors Publishing House is proud to present you with the third book in the now dubbed Fate’s Endeavor Experience, “If Death Should Find Me”.

To run or not, to live or die …? Destiny is a bitch and here is why ….

 

Azriel has always been an enigma amongst the Hierarchy of Angels. He was born a duality; human and not. Azirel, for centuries, has been appraised harshly by mankind. Nevertheless, death is of the natural order. All things that live must at some point, die. Azriel is the usher into transcendence.

Such was his purpose and the Higher Sources saw this to be good … yet, things change.

So begins the measure of Travis’ enterprise into the hands of fate. Due to the magnitude of his venture, Travis finds himself caught between life and death. Angels and demons surround him, attempting to influence the paradigm of his fate. The only question in Travis’ mind is, what would happen If Death Should Find Me?

The Fate's Endeavor Series, surpassing the emotional fabric of angels and demons and delving into the delicate threads which infuse Fate's tapestry.

Months Later

Rural Location, Earth

~ Travis ~

Who knows how much time had elapsed. Days, weeks, months, whatever …? I didn't know. Didn’t much care, either. But honestly, it felt like I'd been running forever.

Shortly after leaving my home, while on the road at some crazed point, I sawed off my cast. I couldn’t deal with the damn thing any longer. And, although the memory is a bit foggy, I can somewhat recall that it was in a grimy motel room in the middle of nowhere. My tool of choice was a rusty old hunting knife that had been sitting in my car for ages.

But that day, in that moment I thought to myself, If I am really a fucking angel, then I can probably fix my own damn leg and rib. Right? Right.

I took a deep breath—instantly my rib hurt. Regardless of that, I focused all of my energy onto healing my leg and rib. I put one hand on my broken leg, the other one on my chest.

I closed my eyes, kept breathing deep.

Suddenly, a strange warmth started exuding from my hands. It seeped into the areas I was trying to heal kind of like they were absorbing the energy or something. Out of nowhere, the rush of heat covered me entirely. I could feel it pulsating like a strobe light. Within seconds, I didn’t feel any more pain. It was all gone.

Opening my eyes, I immediately knew that I was better. I moved my leg. It didn’t hurt. I tapped my rib, that was fine too.

Well fuck, look at that—I guess I am an angel, I thought.

But wait, that’s not all!

For your reading pleasure, C. Desert Rose and All Authors Publishing House are also proud to share with you the newly improved “If Death Should Love Me”.

Azriel is appraised harshly by mankind. Humans do not like to face death, therefore, they conjecture it is an ugly and terrible thing. Death is of the natural order. All things that live, must at some point, die. Azriel is the usher into transcendence.

Such is his purpose and the Higher Sources saw this to be good … yet, things change.

A dull roar, that's all I could hear. Souls, that's all I could see... So many people. Some good, some bad. Some breathing, some barely breathing. All souls. It was funny what you could see when you stood in the middle of the Emergency Room. Who survived, who didn’t. All of them, every one, a soul. A soul for the taking.

So begins your introduction to the floating, clustered world of souls that will have such influence on Sophia, the young Puerto Rican-American girl who has just lost her closest ally, her grandmother, "Abuela". It is just after the funeral, at the cemetery, where Sophia meets the tall, almost angelic man who will play the most unexpected role in her life.

A love story. A fantasy. An adventure. If Death Should Love Me tells a tale of “fate” far beyond the normal meaning of that little four-letter word. How else would you explain why Sophia wonders what would happen If Death Should Love Me?

Bed two. The doctor, the running, the yelling. The focus on bringing her back, futile. It was incredibly sad to say that she was just a child. A baby. Five years of age. Why did “fate” find it necessary to take her? She had yet to even commence to live. It was not my choice. I merely followed orders.

Her soul was lovely, just like a little girl's should be. A soft pink. Like a princess, I mused. Beautiful.

"Come child." I extended my hand so that she would take it.

"Where am I going?" She asked. The innocence in her voice was heartbreaking. Or would be, if I had a heart.

"I'm taking you to a safe place. Somewhere where you will never feel pain again. You will be happy there, sweet child."

"Cindy," she said. "My name is Cindy."

"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl," Her smile seemed as though it could quite literally light up the room. "Well Cindy, do you see that very pretty light just there?" I pointed.

"Yes." She responded with bright eyes.

"Walk into it. Go on, child … Pretty Cindy."

"But why? Where's mommy and daddy? Why do I have to go?" There they were. The questions that always followed once I had collected them.

"Do not worry Cindy, your grandmother is there waiting for you. I promise," I assured her with a soft grip of the hand, then continued, "before you know it, mommy and daddy will be there also." What more could I say to such a young and delicate creature?

"Okay." She replied, not at all convinced that what I was telling her was the truth. She obeyed nonetheless. When she entered she realized that my words were true and secure.

"Nana!" She called with a magnitude of happiness, then ran into her grandmother's arms.

 

I turned.

The mother, yelling. The father, failing at his attempt to be strong. The doctor, saddened. The confusion. The horrified faces. All of it, all too familiar, all too real.

Time for my next assignment.

Stay tuned for the upcoming link to "If Death Should Love Me"

A Rose of Two Freebies

Hello, one and all. As always, thanks for stopping by.

For us, the lovers of the paranormal, fate is preferably manifested supernaturally. That's because for us, fate being embodied in an otherworldly way brings a sense of excitement, mystery and importance to life.

However, those who believe that fate is real also trust that it takes place in even those things we consider mundane.

Like what?

Every day life.

In celebration of short story month, I would like to bring you something old and something new. In both, we will find an exhibition of fate as experienced by the characters in the interpersonal enigma that is life. Join me?

First: The Old

Blurb:

Martina Foxworthy only knew one thing for sure in her life ... the Log Cabin.
It was her family's tradition to visit the Log Cabin every year, and every new year was a repeat of the last. Nothing ever changed at the Cabin, Martina's family liked it that way.
But Martina, not so much.
One day, when a fly ball comes out of nowhere and crashes through her bedroom window Martina realizes that there is a lot more to life; the Log Cabin was just the thread that kept it together.

Years pass far too fast. This is something that Martina Foxworthy knows all too well. Sitting in her favorite chair, in her favorite place, Martina recollects her life's journey.

Excerpt

"The spring of her eighteenth birthday, Martina felt like a misfit just as she had her entire life. She’d been told that said feeling would change when she got older. Well, she was older now and nothing had changed. She was, for all intended purposes, now an adult. Eighteen; she could vote, smoke, buy alcohol—although not consume it—even go into a bar if she so desired. And yet, that profuse and innate sensation of not fitting in had become such an all-consuming part of her life that Martina didn’t know how not to feel it. Every spring, during the Easter Holiday, Martina and her kin took a two-week hiatus in the family log cabin, purchased an umpteenth million years ago by her great grandfather Martin Foxworthy the Second.

If anyone ever wondered how she’d gotten her name, all they had to do was look at the family tree. Her father was Martin Foxworthy who was the fifth in his bloodline. And, since he’d not spawned a son first but a daughter, Martin added an A to the end of the name and blessed their female child with a name that no one would ever want."

I love this story though I don't speak of it much. "Martina's Memories" embodies fate in a relatable way. I feel like most of us could relate to her life trajectory, to her ups and downs, and to her ultimate destiny.
Here, in this "old" story, we can see kismet at work through a seemingly banal existence. That is until the bigger picture is revealed.

Lastly, The New

Blurb:

In the famous words of Forrest Gump, “Life is like a box of chocolates.” For Angelo, life is like a slice of pizza; juicy, delicious and worth the wait. For Sandalphon, life is an unending cycle of sameness. That is, until she meets Angelo. From staircase to stairway to heaven, Sandalphon has an Angelic Epiphany.

Excerpt

"Angelo Esposito sat on the right-hand side of the front porch steps, fourth step up, people watching. On an overcast day, the clouds created a particular shadowy pattern across the passersby faces making them look mechanical. Things like this always entertained Angelo, he never seemed to get enough. Most of the people who strode through the streets were enthralled in their respective cell phones. The rest looked angry at life; emotionless and half-alive. Except maybe for the bum at the street corner who on any given day would assume the job of heralding government conspiracies, or dance for dollars. It all depended on the day.

Sitting on the old and tattered, historically profound New York porch step, Angelo was perfectly comfortable. Entertained and amused; a people watcher at his core. He couldn’t help but think how the persons that walked past were missing out on the knowledge of the rich culture of the avenues which they treaded. Every inch of the firmament, replete with history, depth, despair, glee and the essence of lives now gone.

Being brainwashed by technology has that effect on people. They miss the enriching simplicities of life. The little things that made life worth living like the kids jumping rope, the hum of a busy city street, the scent of pizza in the air. There was nothing like it. Angelo always felt like life was best enjoyed when appreciating small wonders."

This story has become my newest favorite for two reasons. First, it is connected to my Fate's Endeavor Series. Second, it's heartwarming, relatable and supernatural. An "All-In-One Punch" if you will.

In this story, serendipity meets destiny. It feels as though the Universe has planned something accidentally-on-purpose and at the end of the day the one who learns the lesson is not the human but the angel.

It is my pleasure to be able to offer these to everyone for free. You can get them in PDF, ePub or Mobi by clicking the link below. No strings attached! Go grab your copies and enjoy the manifestation of providence. 😊

"Concordant Vibrancy 4: Inferno" Cover Reveal

Today the members of the All Authors Family are celebrating the cover reveal of "Concordant Vibrancy 4: Inferno", the fourth installation of the Concordant Vibrancy anthology collection.

First, the blurb ...

There is a universal fascination associated with passion―its defining element, fire, as well as the unseen. Yet how many dare to trespass beyond the final product, exploring the ingredients which keep it sustainable?

This is the traverse of the fourth installment of the Concordant Vibrancy collection, presented by All Authors Publications and Promotions, entitled “Inferno”. Nine phenomenal talents diverge under one purpose: the creation of literary works guaranteed to set the mind, heart, and spirit ablaze.

Stories included:

“Express-Oh” by Adonis Mann

“Not Always Like This” by Carol Cassada

“The Fireman” by Harmony Kent

“The Complications of Fire” by Beem Weeks

“Calliope’s Inferno” by C. Desert Rose

“Moxy” by Y. Correa

“Antipode” by Synful Desire

“The Chronicles of Aidan” by Da’Kharta Rising, and

“The Calefaction of Insight” by Queen of Spades.

Since January 2015 All Authors Publishing House has been exploring the elements of nature through the enterprise known as Concordant Vibrancy, an All Authors Anthology Collection.

Book One explored Unity under the theme question of "What elements contribute to the concept of unity?" The element being Earth. Through an array of tales, the authors explained what Unity meant to them.

Book Two examined Vitality. The theme question was, "What force drives your spirit?" The element was Air. Here the authors endeavored to answer the question with a combination of stories and essays.

Book Three looked at Lustrate using the theme question, "What embodies the composition of fluidity?" The element was water. Herein the authors spoke lucidly and clearly on what fluidity meant to them.

Book Four takes a peek at Inferno ... the element of Fire. It asks "What are the ingredients to a sustainable blaze?" By far the best of the collection, "Concordant Vibrancy 4: Inferno" is a demonstration of depth in thought and evolution in craft.

Now, without further ado and with great pride All Authors brings you the cover of "Concordant Vibrancy 4: Inferno".

Pleasure Prints Book Release!

 

 

AND BOY DO WE HAVE A GOOD REASON TO CELEBRATE!

All Authors has been waiting 3 years to release this publication and the joy is beyond words!

Blurb:

Divergent Ink is the mesh of different frames of thoughts, various interpretations of one core question that yearns for universal expansion. Although the subject matter may change every year, the purpose of the Divergent Ink series will remain the same.The second book in the Divergent Ink anthology series, “Pleasure Prints”, revolves around the following question:

Where is paradise?

Six Divergent Inks exploring "Pleasure Prints". Will the destination cause one to sip a tropical cocktail or cock an eyebrow in amazement?

Featuring:

Adonis Mann: Desperation and delusion are a marriage of emotions. Sentiments collide when three lives tell their tales. Hypnotizing and melancholic are the days of the souls who pursue the "Odyssey of Rhapsody".

C. Desert Rose: Helena can be cumbersome and crude, while her life is at a standstill, she likes it that way. Amidst the orange glow of office lights and a steaming cup of hot chocolate, Helena learns that life is a series of "Fleeting Moments".

Da'Kharta Rising: For Masato, there's no time like the present. Is no limit too great to accomplish “Masato's Zion”?

Synful Desire: Cecilia Teflon knows she doesn't have much time left. Before she leaves this earth, she must make a confession. Will this revelation grant her entrance into spiritual paradise? Explore the twists and turns of “Onus”.

Queen of Spades: Axana has always lived a very careful life but a lucrative advertisement shreds her comfort zone. Paradise is where one least expects in “Axana … Unscripted”.

Y. Correa: Myth or memory, which can it be? A life so scripted can be less than desirable. To go or to stay, it is that question that leaves, "Nalani at Heaven's Gates".

Also, GET "CRACKLES OF THE HEART: DIVERGENT INK BOOK 1" FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME!

Its a Fate's Endeavor Blog Tour

Hey there y'all!

So, today I am helping spread the word about "Demoness Enchanted" by C. Desert Rose. In the attempt to help out, I asked Rose to tell me a bit about the history of the story. That is to say, how it came about.

Here is what we discussed.

What was your inspiration behind the Fate's Endeavor Series and how that led into the creation of "Demoness Enchanted"?

The Fate's Endeavor Series was inspired by the desire to read a book that I couldn't find. So, I wrote it.

I'll explain. When I started writing the Fate's Endeavor Series, "Twilight" was all the rage. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a Twilight Hater by any means, I actually enjoyed that series. However, immediately after reading that collection I was eager to find something that dealt with angels and demons but was also fused with romance, multicultural aspects and rich mythology. It seemed like I could always find one at a time, but never all together, which is what I really wanted.

So, what did I do? Pick up Twilight again. Then one day, upon completing the entire saga again, I was in need of a nap. I laid down, and while I was in that "half asleep, half awake" stage, the opening scene of the Fate's Endeavor collection came to me.

By all accounts, THAT was the story that I was yearning to read. So, I wrote it instead.

One night, when I was at about the halfway point of writing "If Death Should Love Me", I had a dream. My dream was Zita. It was then that "Demoness Enchanted" came to life. Each story in the series has come about in a similar fashion.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AyMMNJ0boE[/embed]

Excerpt:

“I propose that we form an alliance. We have a mutual problem that needs fixing. I believe that our work together would be beneficial for both parties involved.” Tievel’s words were as poisonous as any venom, yet the smoothness therein was highly persuading. This was his nature—toxicity absolute. Tievel was a brainwashing and deceiving creature, and he did it well, “What say you to my proposition, Uriel?”

Uriel was no fool. He was as old and astute as time itself, yet time had no effect on him. Uriel had fought alongside the likes of Gabriel and Michael, a deity of massive virtue, clout and wisdom. Uriel was The Bearer of Light, Fire and Wisdom. Not remotely the simpleton that Tievel suggested he was.

Uriel was ravishing! All muscle, hair the color of the sun and fire which fell to his shoulders in spirals. A chiseled and strong face that made him look like an ancient Greece sculpture. Well-kempt facial hair. Ruby red eyes, strong and fiery, which resembled a comet entering the atmosphere. He dressed in robes and jewelry, most of which were purple, red and gold.

Uriel was a reactionary, only speaking when completely necessary and when he did speak, his words surged with power.

Uriel considered the proposal, then finally gave his answer. “Yes.” His voice, tenor and authoritative.

“Well, that is grand. Quite the news it is indeed.” Tievel replied, “Shall we expedite our plan, then?”

“First, tell me why.”

Tievel responded, “Some years ago, my only son fell in love … with a human. As you know, this is not licit for our kind. This ‘love’ produced a child. She is not like our kind. She in neither human nor preternatural. She is something else entirely; a creature! An abomination!” Unwillingly, Tievel’s lips twitched and his voice rose with the last sentence. Tempering himself he went on “... One which can bring harm to mortals and immortals alike. This is why I ask for your allegiance. Our combined strengths are sure to end this threat. Do you understand?”

Uriel nodded. “What can she do?” he asked simply, not knowing for sure if she had abilities or anything of the sort.

“She can live among humans with no difficulty; blend in like a chameleon. She also bares the powers of my kind. Furthermore, in being half human it is hard to determine what she might truly be capable of. You know how chaotic these humans can be …!”

“Very well.”

“Now, shall we ...?” extending a hand, Tievel invited Uriel into the hall to look through his cauldron. Together, they walked through the doorway, side by side.

Suddenly, Uriel summoned his sword, and like a flash his fiery sword was pressed against Tievel’s throat, the blaze purposefully extinguishing in the instant it touched skin. “If you are lying to me Encantado, I will kill you.”

Slowly, Tievel lifted a hand to the sword and carefully moved it down. “I will assure you that this is nothing but the truth.”

In his quarters Tievel kept a speculum which reflected the goings on in other realms—a mystical cauldron. Momentarily, they were both looking into the magical cauldron.

Cool, well now that you have an idea of what "Demoness Enchanted" is all about, don't miss out on the upcoming release. It is due out on February 26th, 2016.

BOOM!

Get a YA Paranormal Romance FREE for ONE WEEK!

FREE FOR ONE WEEK ONLY!

By:

C. Desert Rose

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aymhMTU7YGs[/embed]

Blurb:

A dull roar, that's all I could hear. Souls, that's all I could see... So many people. Some good. Some bad. Some breathing. Some barely breathing. All souls. It was funny what you could see when you stood in the middle of the Emergency Room. Who survived. Who didn’t. All of them, every one, a soul. A soul for the taking.
So begins your introduction to the floating, clustered world of souls that will have such influence on Sophia, the young Puerto Rican-American girl who has just lost her closest ally, her grandmother, "Abuela". It is just after the funeral, at the cemetery, where Sophia meets the tall, almost angelic man who will play the most unexpected role in her life.
A love story. A fantasy. An adventure. If Death Should Love Me tells a tale of “fate” far beyond the normal meaning of that little four letter word. How else would you explain why Sophia wonders what would happen If Death Should Love Me?

A Little bit about the Author, in her own words:

Thrive and rise everyone!

"Happiness is subjective!"

My name is C. Desert Rose (I keep my first name abbreviated because it isn't pretty). Well, I am a Youth and Young Adult novelist with an affinity for all things paranormal. My upcoming collection the "Fate's Endeavor Series" explores the realms of angels and demons and twists it up with love and loss.

My stories are meant to make you laugh, cry, get angry and get happy. I aim to make you exhausted-in a good way-by the time you've finished the last page.

My first novel "If Death Should Love Me", Book One of the Fate's Endeavor Series will be released October 2014 and represented by All Authors Publishing House. The next novel in the series, Demoness Enchanted will come everyone's way the following year.

The Highest Ground
Spirit Realm
200 A.D.

"It would seem that it is once again time to choose the next Angel of Death. Have you made a decision on my proposal yet Majesties?" Gabriel's voice was calm, yet anxiety hid behind his words.
"Yes, we have." The function of acting as a unit defined them. Therefore, they thought as one, acted as one and spoke as one. This, was their true nature.
"Fantastic. So what be your choice?"
"You are not yet prepared Gabriel." Responded Alpha, peaceful was his comportment.
"What?" Shock transfixed him, "Why? I have served you faithfully since the beginning of time." Silent anger, tempered remorse filled him. "What is it about these humans that you must grant them their hearts' desires? You allow them freedom of will, yet they walk all over you. Even still, you bestow unmerited privileges upon them!" His voice began to slowly rise with the passion of his conviction, then he subdued it once more, attempting to control his internal commotion. "I deserve this much more than any of them." He pivoted on his heels, pacing with conjecture. "None of them deserve anything." he concluded.
"We have found him, the chosen one Gabriel. It is our assurance that he shall serve us well. 'Tis his calling and fate." Proclaimed decision in their tone.
"Oh. I see." He proceeded. "Whom, if I may ask?"
"He is called Amari. Go fetch him. His time has come. Tell him what his destiny requires of him."
"Amari. Well," having repeated the name with a twist of his lip, he continued, inward anger stirring, "as you wish Majesties."
Watching as he walked away, Alpha's thoughts intertwined with Omega's. "It seems that Gabriel is not very pleased with our decision," to which they both agreed, "We fear that things will be difficult for Azriel. We must keep watch."

Holiday Giveaway

Author C. Desert Rose is happy to bring you "If Death Should Love Me; Fate's Endeavor Series Book 1" absolutely FREE for the first and last time this year. For a limited time only you can get If Death Should Love Me for FREE on Kindle.

 

Here are some reasons why you should run, right now, and get your free copy of If Death Should Love Me by C. Desert Rose.

 

1. You may have gotten a Kindle for Christmas. Why not fill it up?


2. Reviewers have fallen in love with If Death Should Love Me.


3. IT IS FREE!!!

What more must be said?

 

Here is what readers are saying... 

"Can a love story come from death to the living or from the living to death? You'll have to find out... As a paranormal romance series, I would recommend this one." A. Lopez Jr, Goodreads.

"If Death Should Love Me is a wonderfully written paranormal romance that offers a mixture of love, humor, and adventure." Carol Cassada, Goodreads.

"... I must say this book is WONDERFUL!!!!! I love it! I am currently reading it a 2nd time. You will not regret reading this book." Drandie Dodson, Goodreads.

If Death Should Love Me

Fate's Endeavor Series

Book One

Excerpt

 

Copyright C. Desert Rose & AAPH

 

Comoros, Africa

197 A.D.

 

I was eighteen. A man in both body and mind. No longer was I the boy that wished to prove himself a man. There was no doubting it—everyone knew the man I had become. My wife, family and friends were proud of the person I now was. Everyone knew, as did I, that as the first born son I would be the inheritor of my father's reign. Unless of course, something should happen to me. Now, in being a husband and a prince, I was of the right mind to have many sons. This was, after all, the way of my people.

I was hunting, readying my wife, soon to be born child and myself for the winter that was quickly approaching. From afar I heard my sister's voice calling me. “Amari! Amari! Come... come quick! It is time!”

The thought came that I must have lost track of time, I had not realized that I had been away so long. That morning Sulika mentioning that she felt some discomfort. When I asked her if she would be alright, she assured me that she was fine, that there was nothing to worry about as she still had another two weeks before her child baring day. So clenching my teeth, I went ahead and left to hunt, deciding against my better judgment.

And yet, here was my little sister, gravely calling for me to return.

There was no denying it, the time had come. I would be a father. Today. Running fast through the jungle, making certain that I would not miss the big event, I practically flew through it. All of the women gathered together in Sulika's birthing hut call out to me, urging me to hurry. Sulika had been calling for me. It was not customary that a man enter the birthing hut, but this time the women made an exception as I was being insistently requested by my wife.

Sulika's mother came to me, “Amari. Please, hurry. She has been calling for you.”

Sulika?” I called softly, she heard me and looked over in my direction. Her skin so very pale—a thin blanket of snow upon rich chocolate skin, it was. Completely flushed of color. Her lips were dry and cracked.

She saw me and reached to me, “Amari,” she spoke, so softly, so void of strength, that I barely made out what she had said. “Come.”

Closing the distance between us, I sat at her side and took her hand in mine. Then grabbed a rag that was beside me and wiped her head. “I'm here now. Fear not.”

She smiled a very weak, fragile grin, “Yes. Thank you.” This birthing was indeed taking a toll on her.

“No worries love, soon it will all be over and you will be holding our baby in your arms in no time at all,” I smiled at her and continued chatting, hoping inwardly that it was making her feel better. “It will be a boy. Strong, like his father. His mother's eyes. We will walk around the entire village displaying his greatness. Everything will be over before you know it.”

A contraction. She squeezed my hand with whatever strength she still contained. She moaned and whimpered. My heart broke for her. With my other hand, I rubbed her back, “I am here, love. I am right here.” She breathed, trying to ease the pain. Still it was of no use because she had no strength. No fight was left in her. So once again I commenced my babbling, hoping that to a certain extent it would help her feel better—even if just the slightest bit. “When he grows, I will make sure that he becomes the tribe's best hunter. And, he will be the tribe's strongest man,”

She looked at me with hopeless eyes. “What if it is a girl?”

“Well if it is a girl, she will look and be everything like her mother. Nothing like her father. I would not want to ruin a perfectly good thing.”

Another contraction. She tensed. I could feel the pain that ran through her also run through me. I wished and prayed to all the tribal gods that they would help me ease her pain somehow.

My mother pulled me aside for just a moment. “Amari, she is not well. We are doing everything we can. But, her labor is not normal. The child is breached. She is losing too much blood.”

My hands began to shake, I was irrecoverably unnerved. “What is going to happen, Mama?”

“I do not know my son. We are doing all that we can. I hope the gods help her through this.”

For a long time, I did not leave her side, not letting her hand go for a second. I could feel the life drain from her with every breath. I worried deeply for her and my unborn child.

After several hours of agony and pain, it was time.

All the women scurried around her, cheering her on as best as they could. Some ran about trying to collect cloths, others gathered hot water, some had tools in their hands. And Sulika, was weakened flimsy and lifeless. I panicked. They were screaming, yelling, fussing about.

All of it seemed like a blur. My eyes were fixed on my wife, observing that she was even paler now,  than just a little while ago. I bent over her. If it was a reflex of protection or desperation, I do not know. I needed to collect my emotions. Then I kissed my wife's forehead and whispered into her ears. “Everything is going to be alright.”

“No... it is not.” was her reply, and her words seeped out of her lips like soft, supple smoke from a dimming candle. Barely audible, barely there.

“Push, Sulika, push!” Someone demanded. She used whatever strength she had and pushed. This went on for just a few minutes. At one given moment she pushed with all her might. Then, I heard my wife take a long aching breath, and breathed no more.

My heart dropped to my stomach.

I looked at her, staring, hoping that what I had just seen was in my own imagination. I heard more commotion. The women were running amuck. They began to yell and scream to each other.

Everything turned into slow motion. Muffled voices, screams and cries. Yet my eyes were fixed on my wife. For a split second I looked down at the child. A girl. She was right, but the babe was lifeless as well. She flopped like a wet rag in the arms of my mother-in-law.

Just like that, it was all over. My wife and my child were gone. I had lost everything that meant anything to me in a matter of a day. I was broken. Destroyed.

I named the child Alala, meaning like a dream—for that was all that she had been. A dream...

 

We buried them together, the tomb read; “My FIRST and ONLY wife, Sulika and our little angel Alala. You will never be forgotten.”

 

 So... Don't delay!

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