“Nothing. I just love you.”
“I love you, too, lizard brain.”
I pouted. “Hey, I’m being serious right now.”
Taylor chuckled, then reached around to kiss me. “Sorry.” He glanced down at his belly. “Actually,youshould be the one who’s sorry for putting this giant boulder of an egg inside me.”
“But you look so sexy,” I moped. “Besides, our baby’s in there. You can’t be mad at an egg.”
“I’m not mad. I’m teasing.” His hand grazed the back of my neck in a sultry, possessive gesture. “But next time,youtry growing a watermelon in your body.”
“Alas, fate did not bestow those parts on me. I would if I could, if only to spare you all this back pain.”
He grinned. “I appreciate it.”
After I worked all the tension from his back, Taylor let out a relieved groan. But despite it feeling good, there was still a small frown on his face.
“What’s wrong, my love?” I asked.
He shook his head as he ran a hand over his lower belly. “Nothing, it’s just this cramp...”
“Ah,” I said, knowing full well what was about to happen. “I know it’s sudden, but it might be time to lay that egg.”
“What?” Taylor sputtered. “You’re joking, right? I’ve barely been pregnant for more than a month!”
“Yes, but technically you’ve been gravid, not pregnant,” I pointed out. “The egg has grown, but it still needs to be brooded outside of your body.”
Taylor groaned, running a hand down his face. “Why’d I have to go and fall in love with a flying reptile?”
Behind the joke, I could tell Taylor was nervous. He liked to be in control, and laying a dragon egg was outside of his wheelhouse. It was times like this when I wished we had an omega in the family, or at least one in the castle. Why the hell did we all have to be born alphas?
I stroked Taylor’s hair. “The most important thing is for you to stay comfortable. Use these quilts to nest. Hell, use anything in this room that strikes your fancy. I’m going to get you water and towels.”
Taylor looked nervous. “You won’t be gone long, will you?”
I kissed him on the forehead. “Just a minute. You won’t even miss me.”
“...Can you bring my pattern book?”
I ran over to his supply table, grabbed the book and gave it to him, then dashed out the door.
As soon as I stepped out of the bedroom, it hit me.
Taylor was laying our egg—right now.
The first dragon egg in our generation of Chromatimaeus dragons.
A sudden wave of panic hit me. Why did I have to be the first one to experience this? I didn’t know what to do. I needed my brothers’ help.
I ran around the castle like a basilisk with its head cut off. The unusual commotion drew attention from every bedroom door I passed.
Thystle’s room was closest to mine. He poked his head out with a frown, his headphones halfway off his head. “Crimson, what’s the rush? Your stomping is louder than Amy Lee’s vocals.”
“Egg!” I replied, already halfway down the hall.
That got his attention faster than his favorite band’s tickets going on sale. I heard his rapid footsteps, but didn’t stop to see where he went.
I ran straight to Jade’s library. Out of everyone, I figured he’d have a clue about what to do. When I barged in, Jade stared at me in surprise. He didn’t like to be bothered while he read, so I expected a quick snarl of derision, but when Jade saw my expression, he must’ve understood immediately. He leapt out of his seat, putting down his book.
