Page 267 of Between Gods and Dragons

I offered the princess of Radaan to Tsunami, letting those great scales graze the dark tuft of hair. Talathia stiffened, cries dying in her throat. I pressed her closer; Tsunami exhaled long, eyes fluttering closed, relaxing. Talathia’s lips sagged in a frown before those tiny lashes struggled to part.

My shoulder shook with a chuckle. All this time, Ronan had thought the dragon pursued me, never once considering it was my seed. I was never meant for the skies. No, I was earthbound—boots on grass, fields of wheat, green life, and rich soil—but my daughter? She would lift Radaan to new heights, fearless and untamed.

Gods, I would have my hands full.

Nienna’s hiss of pain tore my attention back to the tub. Fear shot through me as Edith’s arms plunged beneath the surface, her expression stony.

I clutched Talathia closer, her dragon’s lips peeling into a snarl.

“Hush,” I muttered, taking soggy steps toward Nienna. The babe grunted, wiggling against me, opposing the distance between her and her beast.

“Dragons above!” Nienna groaned, head thrown, face twisted in pain.

“What is it?” I demanded.

Healers clustered, a midwife slipping hands between Nienna’s legs. Edith’s gaze met hers, shock flickering across their faces.

“Push!” they said in unison.

Nienna obeyed, fingers gripping the tub’s edge, teeth bared, groaning. Was it afterbirth? Internal bleeding? Gods, was something wrong? Women died in childbirth too easily. The water ran deep red…

Had I gained an heir only to lose my wife?

Talathia kicked, nuzzling my chest, mouth open and searching. I cradled her as I’d seen nursemaids do, knees bouncing instinctively, horror twisting my throat. I stepped back, letting healers take control, keeping king and heir aside.

Elohios, please—please don’t take her.

Nienna gasped, falling limp. Edith yanked a bundle from below the surface.

Another babe.

Breath snagged in my chest, disbelief choking my throat.

The women’s voices rose in celebration as Nienna’s maid checked the second girl. Talathia and I were forgotten for a moment as the infant was placed on my wife’s chest.

Eyes still closed, exhausted, forehead sheened with sweat, she clutched the child as she steadied her heaving breaths.

Two. I had two heirs—two girls.

I glanced at the window, expecting another rogue dragon to drop from the sky, demanding my second-born. Stars winked back, playful, twinkling with mirth like the eyes of a god.