“Ye still owe me a cask of whisky,” Thaetus replied. “A bet is a bet.”
“I am glad to see all of you.” She gave them each a hug then grasped Isla’s fore claws and held them tight. With a wistful glance into her wise mother-in-law’s great golden eyes, she shook her head. “I guess Esme is still angry with me?”
“I am not, my Guardian,” came a familiar voice from the other side of the nursery. “I was merely unsure if you wished to see me, so I cloaked myself from your eyes.”
Hannah’s heart swelled. Much to Esme’s dismay, she rushed to gather her into a tight hug. “I always want to see you, Esme. You are my family, too.”
Esme bowed her shimmering head. “That pleases me.”
“And it is my understanding, this family is growing?” Isla asked.
A sudden nervousness made Hannah’s stomach slosh. She swallowed hard against a wave of nausea.
“My love?” Taggart rushed to her side, swept her up into his arms, and cradled her like a babe.
She patted his chest. “If you do that every time I feel nauseous, you risk getting thrown up on.”
“I dinna care.” He carried her to Isla and held her out like an offering. “Help her, Mother. I fear for her.”
The goddess smiled. “Set her down, my son. If she is feeling sick, jostling her will not help.”
Hannah agreed. “I promise I am fine. The doctor said nausea is normal.”
With a nostril flaring snort that meant he disagreed, Taggart carefully lowered her to her feet.
Isla shooed them all aside. “The lot of you go upstairs. My daughter and I have much to discuss.”
“I am staying here,” Taggart said, resettling his stance.
“I shall see what needs to be done here at the keep,” Thaetus announced before disappearing into the passage.
Septamus cleared his throat. “And I shall watch to ensure he doesit right.” The senior Draecna ambled out, quietly closing the door behind him.
“Might I stay, Goddess?” Esme asked as she circled the eggs, studying them.
“Yes.” Isla leveled a stern gaze in her direction. “If you can remain quiet and not interrupt.”
Esme gave an obedient nod.
Hannah wiped the nervous sweat from her palms onto the colorful, flowing skirt she had chosen for the occasion. The brilliant fuchsias, blues, greens, and golds made her happy and so did the elastic waist. She prayed it would also bring her luck and answer her hopes that the Draecna goddess would know something that would allay her fears. “Did Taggart tell you everything?”
Compassion filled the Draecna’s eyes. “Yes, my child. And I am sorry. The pain of losing a young one is real, no matter how short a time they have been in your life.”
“I am so afraid it will happen again.” She moved closer to Taggart, thankful for his strength and caring as he hugged her to his side. “Do you know of anything I can do? Or what I might have done wrong with the first two?”
“You did nothing wrong.” Isla’s voice took on a chiding tone. “You must understand that.” Twin wisps of smoke rose from the goddess’s nostrils and spiraled to the ceiling. “And there is no way of knowing why it happened. Even in this world, among human parents with no—” She paused and cleared her throat. “No unusual DNA strands mixing. It is not always known why miscarriages happen.” She leaned forward, tilting her head as she brought her iridescent snout closer and sniffed. The corners of her enormous mouth curled upward. “But you already have the scent. That is good.”
“Scent?”
Isla nodded while folding her claws across her stomach. “Draecna females emit a distinctive scent when they are ready to nest and lay their fertilized eggs.” She frowned at Taggart. “Have you not noticed your mate’s scent?”
Taggart shrugged. “Aye, Mother, but in this world, a woman changes shampoo and perfumes as often as she changes her mind.”
“Oh, really?” Hannah cut her eyes over at him.
“Ye do.” He gave her a terse frown. “Go on wi' ye now. Admit it.”
She ignored him and turned back to her Draecna mother-in-law. “Are you saying I’m going to lay an egg instead of carry this baby to term then have a live birth?”
