After several attempts, Brian was able to wrestle Reif on his side, watching as Ian’s hand slid over the sea dragon’s belly, pressing in at several points. He soon realized what the doctor was looking for, hoping nothing would be said until they had shifted back because he knew Reif would freak the fuck out.
Finished with his probing, Ian said, “Okay, Brian, Reif, everything is looking good. Kieran, get out of the water, please.” Then, after the Shaman was standing next to Logan, Ian moved over to the pool ladder and climbed out, taking a towel from his mate.
“Is the baby all right?” asked Colton.
“Guys, please shift so we can talk,” Ian said.
After uncurling himself from the sea dragon, Brian shifted with Reif quickly following him, then, wrapping his arms around his mate, made no move to leave the pool. He knew Reif would be safer in the water when he heard the news.
Feeling the tension in his mate’s body, Reif was confused.Didn’t the doc say everything was fine?“Is our son okay, Ian?” he asked, figuring that was what Nessie was worried about.
“The short answer is ‘yes’.” Ian smiled. “Your sea dragon has five eggs in him…all are developing as…”
“Wait a fucking minute! Did you say ‘five’ like the number five,” asked Reif, holding up five fingers.
“Yes, your sea dragon has five fertile eggs in him and I expect him to lay them in about three months, give or take a few days.” Glancing at Kieran, Ian said, “Does that sound about right?”
“Yes. Reif’s sea dragon will lay his eggs in about 90 days, and they’ll hatch in another three months. Then you’ll have five little Nessies, isn’t that wonderful?” asked Kieran, his face alight with joy.
Shaking his head, Reif couldn’t believe what he was hearing.Five babies…five water rats…no…make that five baby sea dragons all wanting his attention…I can’t do this…one, maybe, but five…all at once…nononono…not possible.
Seeing his mate begin to panic, Brian tightened his hold as he murmured assurances in his mate’s ear. “Mate, twill be fine…dinna fret…everythin’ will be all right…I will be with ye all the way.”
It was too much for Reif. Breaking free, he backed away from Brian. “No. You’re wrong!” Pointing to Ian, Reif said, “He’s wrong. Sea Dragons only have one offspring at a time. He doesn’t know what he’s saying! Five eggs! What the fuck? Ask my father…ONE sea dragon…only one at a time.” Swimming to the far end of the pool, Reif turned and shouted, “Your doctor doesn’t know anything about sea dragons and you are risking our son’s life with a quack. I thought you wanted a child but you don’t. FIVE EGGS!!! Are you fucking insane?”
“Hey, you’re wro…” Colton objected but stopped when Ian laid his hand on him.
“No, babe!” Logan cautioned, as Kieran jumped into the pool.
Ignoring his mate, Kieran headed for Reif, knowing his friend needed him. When he was close, but still at a safe distance, he asked, “Reif…do you trust me?”
Glancing between his mate and Kieran, his eyes wild with fear, Reif shouted, “Don’t come closer.”
“I won’t…do you trust me?” Kieran asked again, his voice low and soothing.
Shaking his head, Reif was torn. Seeing the hurt on Brian’s face, knowing his words put it there—it wasn’t something he couldn’t face right now. “I-I-I-I don’t know. Did you hear what he said? Five freaking babies? That’s impossible!”
“Reif…do you trust me?”
Such a simple question…why can’t I answer it?
“Reif…will you ask your sea dragon if he trusts me?”
I can do that.Seeking out his beast, Reif listened, calming down as his sea dragon reassured him about Kieran. Knowing his sea dragon never lied to him, Reif looked at Kieran and sputtered, “Yes, he does…I do too.”
“May I come closer?” asked Kieran. After Reif nodded, Kieran moved closer, reaching out and placing his hand on his friend’s arm, drawing out his fear. When most of it had been replaced with calm, Kieran asked, “Will you come upstairs with us? Oracle wants to speak to you and Brian.”
“Oracle? You know an Oracle?” Reif was incredulous. The elders told them Oracles had died off, leaving his people without a direct link to the Fates.
“I do…and my spirit told me she’s waiting to speak to you. Will you come?” asked Kieran.
Glancing at Nessie, Reif still saw the hurt his words had caused. Chastising himself, he said, “I promised the gods I’d never hurt my mate again but I did…just now… Nessie won’t forgive me again.”
“Righto…Brian, would you please come here?” called Kieran, while keeping his hand in contact with Reif. Then he whispered, “He will, trust me.”
Brian swam over to join the Shaman and his mate. “Ay, I’m here,” he said, gazing at his mate, glad to see he looked better, lessening his worries about their babies.
“Reif has something he wants to say,” Kieran said, sending waves of love through his hand to the sea dragon.
