“I’m not tired.”
Over the next few hours, cracks formed. Little openings. Through them, we could see the movement of our dragon baby. He would be born a dragon, then abruptly shift to human form to nurse and grow. He might not shift again until he was two or three years old.
“He’s busy in there,” Kirion said.
“He’s a strong one.”
Our little one fought hard to come into the world. Sometimes the egg would move, other times it was still for an hour while he rested. Breaking through the membrane and shell was hard work for a tiny, brand-new being.
Finally, a big crack grew across the center of the egg. The crack we’d been waiting for. A sky-blue dragon showed us the edge of a wing before a big amber eye peered out at us.
“Look at him. He’s so perfect. He’s ours,” Kirion breathed.
Just as he spoke, more of the eggshell broke. The cutest baby dragon ever to exist pushed up. The egg broke in half and now he wore the top part on his head like a hat. His bottom half was still inside the shell but he kicked and kicked until it broke free. Then, with the shell still sitting on his head, he looked at both of us and let out a noise like a creaky door-hinge.
“Hi, Remington.” Kirion reached out.
The baby dragon put his mouth on Kirion’s hand as if in a kiss, then puffed. The tiniest spark flew into the air.
“He’s adorable,” I said.
“Understatement.” Kirion laughed. “When does he shift?”
I watched the baby dragon curl away from the shell and stretch. “Right now.”
As we watched, toes and fingers formed beneath the receding claws. Legs and arms formed, then a body, then the crest on the head and neck was replaced by hair of sunlight and a beautiful human baby face. He opened his mouth and let out a wail.
“Now can I pick him up?” Kirion asked.
“He’ll be mad if you don’t.”
We took turns holding our new son. Then Kirion put him to his breast and attempted to feed him. He hadn’t grown actual breasts, but his nipples had enlarged and the baby latched on and began to drink. Milk was obviously coming because Remington suckled for a long while before falling asleep.
“His first nap,” I said.
“I love him already.”
Me, too. He’s a sky-blue dragon. He’ll be a beautiful alpha.
“Tanekan says he’s an alpha.”
“Our alpha.” Kirion looked up at me. “I’m so happy right now. Thank you for this gift.”
“Thank you, my love,” I said. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Together, we took our newborn to our bed and continued to take turns holding him all night.
My world had changed since last year. Kirion had brought light and life back into my house and made it a home again.
Our love had come fast and strong, the kind of love some people never found. Ours was special and it would last. I knew we would have long lives together. That was how it worked. Dragons were long lived, but when they mated, if their mates were another type of shifter, they would grow old at the same rate as their long-lived bondmate.
We had a long time ahead of us to experience our love and everything that meant for us. We were two of the lucky ones.
EPILOGUE
Kirion
“Remy, come in right this instant,” I called. “You’re soaking wet. What are you doing?”
