Mara moved with swift efficiency, scooping the baby from our hands and wrapping the tiny body before any of us had truly processed what had just happened. Blood and fluid coated our hands and claws as Yazmine.
“It’s a girl,” Kieran breathed.
“A female,” I whispered, the word leaving me in awe.
Stars, she was so small.
“Wren? WREN!” I tried to get to her but Yazmine elbowed me out of the way.
Mara wiped the baby clean with brisk efficiency, and for a terrifying moment there was no sound. Then the drakling screeched in outrage, a fierce cry that cut through the tension in the room. A flash of red hair appeared as Mara adjusted the blanket, and relief hit me so hard my knees nearly buckled.
With the three of us, we had never known whose child she might be. Not that it mattered—never truly—but I couldn’t help glancing at Kieran, jealous.
This had been my only chance for a blood child. Whenthe Overlord fell, the magic that broke our curse had left me sterile. It had been my price for peace and protection.
I stepped closer and rested a hand lightly against Kieran’s back.
“Congratulations,” I said quietly to Kieran. My voice was steady, and I was proud of that.
I let out a breath that was half laughter as Kieran seized me in a hug, lifting me off the ground. “Congratulations to all of us!”
Ronan laughed.
Wren blinked, eyes cracking as she came back to us.
“It’s over,” Wren slurred, her body going limp. “‘So why does it still hurt?”
We turned back to her in alarm, but Enya cut us off. “There is another child.”
Enya’s announcement snapped our attention back to the bed as she called out from her spot under another tree, Wyrren cradling her in his arms.
Mara thrust the first baby into my arms without warning and I fumbled before clutching the drakling tightly to my chest. She weighed almost nothing, yet somehow felt heavier than anything I had ever carried.
Behind me Yazmine worked frantically while Mara pressed down on Wren’s belly. Kieran and Ronan held onto each other, not bothering to detach after their hug. We watched in horror.
A second drakling slid free from Wren, but this one didn’t cry.
My stomach dropped.
Mara grabbed the baby quickly, blowing air into its nose and mouth before flicking its tiny feet and pinching its skin. When that didn’t work, she slapped the baby sharply.
I lunged forward with a growl, but Ronan caught my arm.
“Trust her,” he said.
Seconds stretched unbearably long. Then the baby wailed, a furious cry filling the room.
“There we are,” Mara said, placing the second drakling carefully into my trembling hands. “Another girl.”
Twins.
I leaned closer to look, curiosity momentarily overwhelming my fear as I sniffed her deeply.
“Look at the hair,” Ronan said, leaning over to look.
I stared down in amazement.
“Benedict, look!” Ronan said, his voice brightening with excitement despite everything. “It’s as black as yours.”
