Palmer was nervous, but he was prepared for this.He’d started getting ready as soon as Curran had told him he wanted him there.He knew what was supposed to happen and how.He knew how long it was supposed to take, although, like with humans, that could widely change between dragons and pregnancies.He wouldn’t be there alone, though.Curran had agreed to have another healer there for Palmer’s peace of mind, so if something happened and Palmer didn’t know how to deal with it, someone would.Palmer didn’t want to let Curran down, but he’d rather have his friend and the baby healthy than insist he could do this on his own.
He got dressed as quickly as he could, then rushed back to the front door.Birch was still there, talking to Rune, and it wasn’t a surprise when Rune fell into step with them when they left.He wouldn’t be of any help, but maybe he could distract Birch.Palmer had seen how close he and Curran were, so he wouldn’t be surprised if the dragon freaked out a little.
“He’ll be fine, right?”Birch asked as they neared the rooms where Curran and Marlin lived.
“There’s no reason why he shouldn’t be,” Palmer tried to reassure him.He didn’t want to promise that everything would be okay because he didn’t know, but he also wanted Birch to realize that this wasn’t a bad thing.Curran would be in pain, but everything had gone well with this pregnancy, so there was no reason to believe that something would go wrong now.
Palmer hoped nothing would.He needed Curran and the baby to be okay.
Birch didn’t knock when they reached the rooms.He barged in, making a beeline for the bedroom, and Palmer followed.Rune was right behind them, looking slightly uncomfortable but clearly willing to help.He stopped before walking into the room, but Palmer didn’t.No, he continued moving toward the nest where Curran was curled up.
“It would be easier for you if you shifted,” Palmer told him.
“Would it?”Curran snapped.His face was damp with sweat, and he was clutching his stomach.“Sorry.”
Palmer didn’t care if Curran was snappish or rude.If it helped him deal with the pain, he was welcome to curse him.“From everything I’ve read, yes.It can be painful to shift when you’re in this state, though.”
Curran shook his head.“I did shift earlier.The pain’s the same.”
“Whatever makes you more comfortable.”
“For now, it’s this,” he said, turning toward Marlin.“That way, he can hold me.”
Thatwouldbe more complicated if they were in their dragon forms.Palmer had made sure he knew how to deal with labor in both forms, though, so he was prepared, or at least, as prepared as he could be considering this was the first time he did this.He wouldn’t let Curran down, though.
He would never forgive himself if he did.
* * * *
RUNE KNEW THAT HISplace wasn’t here.No one had said anything, but he wasn’t family.He was friends with Marlin and Birch, so he wasn’t a stranger, but this was a delicate moment in Curran’s life.There was no way he’d want Rune here, but Rune wouldn’t let Palmer out of his sight.
He couldn’t, not when Palmer could be in danger.
Since no one could get to Palmer inside Curran and Marlin’s nestroom, Rune retreated to the living area.Birch came with him and immediately started pacing in front of the fireplace.
“Everything seems to be going well,” Rune said.
Birch nodded.“Good.They’ll be okay?”
“Palmer will do everything in his power to ensure that they are.”
“That’s a very diplomatic answer.Killian is teaching you well.”
“I’m not trying to be diplomatic.I’m just telling the truth.Palmerwilldo everything in his power to ensure that both Curran and the baby will be okay.”
“I know.It’s one of the reasons I didn’t argue when Curran decided he wanted Palmer here.”
Birch was extremely protective of his brother.He wasn’t the only one.None of that would matter to Palmer, though.He’d do this because it was his job and because he cared about Curran.
“So, Palmer spent the night with you,” Birch said, startling Rune.
He hadn’t expected Birch to say anything about it.“You knew where to find him.”
“Of course I did.Everyone knows the two of you are together.I went to his room, but he didn’t answer, so I knew where he’d be.”
And Birch had been right.Palmer had been exactly where Birch had expected to find him.
In Rune’s nest.
