Her abandoned Beta

 *Narrator*  She had actually survived.  Breathing heavily, bathed in sweat, after hours of nearly unbearable pain and screaming, the discovery came as somewhat of a surprise. The midwife had warned her that her hips were too narrow for what was to come, terrifying her with the dire possibility of death, and yet the fear, the agony, and the doubts that had plagued her now faded away in direct contrast to the increasing volume of the indignant wails filling her bedchamber.   The robust cries were a sign of health and well-being. A gentle smile curled her lips upward as unheralded joy pierced her heart and swept unerringly through her, taking up permanent residence in every nook and cranny of her being. How could a creature so small have such a tremendous impact?  “Is it a boy?” She asked, unable to gain a clear view as the midwife quickly swaddled the babe in starched white linen before offering it to her mother, dressed all in mourning black, her face an immutable mask lacking in any emotion whatsoever, very much resembling a ghastly ghoul as she stiffly took the child.  “Mother”. She held up her arms imploringly, waving her fingers as a beggar in want of coins might.  “Bring it here. Let me see for myself if it’s a boy or a girl”. She begged.  Without even glancing her way, the Luna who had brought her into this world spun about smartly … Her heels clacking out a steady and foreboding staccato as she headed with purpose to the closed door.  Terror gripped her, threatening to tear her world asunder. Despite her weakened state, she struggled to sit up, to scramble out of the bed, but strong hands, far too many hands, were suddenly there to hold her down as effectively as the iron imprisoned the condemned. “Mother, no! Please don’t take the babe from me. Please. I’ll be a good girl. I’ll never sin again. Please! I beg of you! Don’t do this!”  A young female servant dutifully opened the door.  Tears stung her eyes, rained down her cheeks. “No! Have mercy! At least let me cradle it once…”.  ‘In my arms’ died on her lips as her mother swept through the doorway like an avenging angel bent on destroying all in her wake, disappearing into the darkened hallway beyond, taking the precious bundle with her. The door closed with a resounding and ominous snick that would forever reverberate through her soul.  For a few more minutes she fought to free herself, race after her mother, and stop her from doing the unthinkable, from farming the child out to someone who could not possibly love it with all the fervor that she did. But the past several hours had not been kind, leaving her drained, exhausted, and faint.  “There, there, my dear girl”. A maid cooed to her. “Calm yourself. Tomorrow all will be as right as rain”.  With gut-wrenching sobs racking her body, she sagged down onto the mattress in despair, while all that remained of her young tender heart shattered into tiny shards that would be impossible to ever piece back together.