We stand together under the water, letting it wash away the ash, blood, ritual oils, and any sign of that other dragon lair. Darial gently works his fingers through my tangled hair, rinsing out the knots.
Kelan kneels under the water and presses his mouth tomy belly, making me go still. Darial joins him, placing his hand over the gentle warmth beneath my skin. Ronyn’s bigger hand covers theirs, as if he’s already protecting what’s growing inside me.
“Are they real?” I whisper.
The faintest pulse answers.
Kelan’s breath leaves him, shuddering against my skin. “They are real, mate. They are a miracle.”
“I’m scared,” I say, putting both hands on my stomach. “How am I supposed to do this?” My voice shakes even though I try to keep it even. “How do I give birth to eggs? I’m a mammal, not a dragon.”
“Aura.” Darial’s tone is gentle but firm. “They won’t be large.”
Kelan nods. “They will come small. Smaller than an egg born of dragon flesh.”
“We will keep them warm,” Ronyn adds. “They’ll grow under our heat. Under our care.”
I look between them. “Has this ever happened before? A human carrying dragon eggs?”
The silence that follows is answer enough.
“You’re the first,” Darial says quietly.
“So, how do you know?”
The glance they share is loaded. “The goddess wouldn’t bless us with a mate that can carry dragons only for her to be harmed by birthing them. She wouldn’t allow the conception of dragon hatchlings that couldn’t safely be born.”
Maybe Kelan’s right. If I’m meant to bear the future dragonkind, this shouldn’t hurt me.
I remember everything I’ve survived: Gregory and his cruel plans, giving birth to Ahya alone and letting her go,making it through near starvation, a life without love, running from Bruno and Anatol, and being held captive by dragons who wanted to use my body.
My gaze lifts to Kelan’s. “I won’t lose them.”
His jaw tightens, but he nods. “No one will touch them, Aura. We promise.”
He kisses my lips, then turns me to Darial, who does the same. Ronyn is last, and he cradles my face between his huge, rough palms and kisses my closed eyelids. “Come, mate,” he says. “It’s time for you to rest and let us take care of you.”
After we leave the shower, they wrap me in thick towels and lead me to the bed. I sit between them, their bodies forming a protective circle around me. They only give me gentle kisses on my temple, lips, and shoulders.
Darial orders food. Kelan talks to his assistant, letting them know where we are and ensuring we have what we need. I close my eyes and rest my hand on my belly, thinking about the children growing inside me—children who will one day turn from tiny humans into powerful dragons.
“When will they be able to shift?” I ask.
“When they are around two,” Darial says. “But you don’t have to worry. We will teach them the ways of the dragon. We will help them grow into strong, powerful dragon men.”
“Or women,” I remind him.
His eyes light with surprise at my assertion. “Or women.” He rubs his stubbled chin like he never considered having a daughter. “Lythian is the last female dragon,” he says. “We have become unused to seeing the females of our kind.”
“Females of your kind are the only way for there to be a future,” I say. “Maybe they will all be females.”
“Maybe,” Kelan says, also rubbing his chin.
I smile. “I’m sensing you were all hoping for sons.”
“I think that we were so shocked to learn that you could carry offspring, we haven't stopped to consider all eventualities,” Kelan says.
“A daughter.” Ronyn’s smile brightens his whole, usually serious face. “Daddy’s girl.”
