“It’s getting worse,” Curran gasped, his body tensing.
Palmer moved closer, checking Curran’s position.The healer was on the other side, ready to step in if needed, but for now, they were both just watching.This was natural.This was supposed to happen.Palmer just had to be here in case something went wrong.
“You’re doing great,” Marlin murmured, pressing a kiss to Curran’s temple.“Just breathe.”
Curran didn’t look like he believed him, but he tried anyway.His breathing was uneven, and Palmer could see the way his body was trembling.He’d studied every book he could find on dragon births, but reading about it and witnessing it were two different things.
“It’s time,” the healer said quietly, and Palmer nodded.
He’d known it was coming.Curran’s body had been preparing for this for hours now, and there was no stopping it.Palmer positioned himself where he needed to be, his hands steady even though his heart was racing.He couldn’t afford to be nervous.Curran needed him to be calm and confident, and he could be.He knew what he was doing.
“You’re almost there,” he told Curran.“Just a little more.”
Curran made a sound that was between a groan and a sob, and his body went rigid.Palmer watched, his focus entirely on Curran now, as the egg began to emerge.It was slow and careful, and Palmer was ready to intervene if something went wrong.Nothing did, though.Curran’s body knew what to do, and within moments, the egg was there.
Palmer caught it carefully, cradling it in his gloved hands.It was warm, smooth, and slightly larger than he’d expected.It was beautiful.He moved quickly, placing it in the nest beside Curran where it would be safe and warm.
“Is it okay?”Curran asked, his voice hoarse.
“Let me check,” Palmer said, but he was already looking.The egg was intact, with no cracks or damage that he could see.He ran his hands over it gently, checking for any abnormalities, but there was nothing.“It’s perfect,” he told Curran, and the relief in Curran’s expression was immediate.
Marlin was crying now, his arms wrapped tightly around Curran, and Palmer gave them a moment.They deserved it.This was their moment—theirbaby—and Palmer was just here to make sure everything went smoothly.
The healer moved closer, and together, they checked Curran over.He was obviously exhausted, but he was okay.The laying had gone without complications or injuries.Everything was exactly as it should be.
“You did amazing,” Palmer told him, and Curran laughed weakly.
“I feel like I just got trampled by the entire clan.”
“That’s normal,” the healer said with a small smile.“You’ll feel better in a few days.”
Palmer hoped so.He also hoped that whatever was happening outside was resolved, because now that Curran and the egg were safe, he really wanted to check on Rune.
He wouldn’t leave yet, though.Not until he was absolutely certain that Curran didn’t need him anymore.
* * * *
BIRCH WAS PACING AGAINby the time the bedroom door opened.Rune supposed he should feel lucky that he’d at least sat down long enough to eat, but he was clearly nervous, and Rune didn’t blame him.He’d never been in this kind of situation.He had a lot of siblings, but he wasn’t as close to any of them as Birch was to Curran.He hoped that would change someday, especially when he saw how much they loved each other.
Birch stopped instantly when he heard the door, and both he and Rune turned to face it.Rune half expected Palmer, but it was the healer.They paused when they saw them and smiled slightly, which Rune hoped meant that everything had gone well.
“How is he?”Birch asked.
“Everyone is fine.The egg is perfect, and the laying went without problems.”
Birch’s shoulders slumped.“Thank God.”
The healer nodded.“You don’t have to worry.Your brother is going to be okay.”
Curran would need time to recuperate, and now wasn’t the time for Rune to stick around.He was sure that Palmer would wonder where he was, but considering his conversation with Saya, Rune thought it would be a good idea for him to find out what was going on.It didn’t look like Palmer was done, and he’d be safe as long as he stayed here since it didn’t look like Birch was going anywhere.
“Can I see him?”Birch asked.
“You can.He’s waiting for you.”
Birch left without looking back at Rune.Rune wasn’t offended.In fact, he would have been surprised if Birch had bothered to give him any attention.He stayed with the healer, opening the door so that they could leave and smiling at them.The healer looked slightly confused, maybe at his presence there, but they didn’t ask, and Rune didn’t volunteer any kind of information.It didn’t matter why he was there.It just mattered that he had been.
He watched the healer walk down the hallway for a second.He could hear people in the distance, and he needed to find out what was going on.He had to be sure that everyone in the rooms behind him would be safe.He also wanted to check in on his brother.He and Saya might not be close, but that didn’t mean that Rune didn’t care.
