Page 21 of Vengeance and Fire

“A Dragon by species.”

“A Druid and a Mage because you can call forth your magic.”

“A Fae by blood.”

“Everyone will rally around you. Fight for you because you will fight for them,” they continue to speak in unison. Their voices blend together like a song as they tell me what is expected of me, and how I must not fail. Our survival depends on it. No pressure there.

“Most importantly, you have the future growing inside you.” One of them says with a warm smile as their eyes shift down to my stomach.

“Wait, say what now?” I take a step back and start looking for the camera. April Fools? There is no way I am pregnant. I have an implant.

“That stopped protecting you the moment you emerged, my queen.” I huff in frustration at their ability to read my mind. I just want to have my very own mini freak out without them completely in my thoughts.

“Our sincere apologies, we thought you should know. Considering what you’re about to embark upon,” they all speak as one again and I panic. I’m full-on hyperventilating.

“You tell me this now! I am about to go into war. I will be putting a precious life in jeopardy. How can I protect everyone around me when my thoughts will be elsewhere? I can’t tell my mates. Have you seen those big burly assed men? They are overprotective enough.” I pace. My arm unconsciously wraps around my middle as I struggle to take in a deep breath. Why did they have to tell me this now?

“You are a woman. A queen. You need to know. It’s very early days and the two sparks of life are well protected.” One of seers approaches me with her hand up as if she is approaching a crazy animal. Well, I guess I am a little crazed.

“How did this happen?” I stop. I know how it happened. It was my first heat. I thought we had time.

“You mated in Dragon form. It hasn’t happened this way in a long time. Your Dragon’s bonds are strong and the urge to mate happened naturally,” she tells me, still slowly making her way over to me as I continue to retreat. I think back to the mating ball. I blush at the memory of finding out that my mates have two penises. I guess that almost guarantees a baby. Especially when you have a spare in case the other one fails.

Oh hell, I am not ready to be anyone’s Momma. Then I stop and rewind what she said.

“Did you say two?”

“Yes, my queen. Your father is a twin. There will always be twins born to the Fae Courts, it is the future. They are the future.” I feel weak. I stumble back until I hit the cave wall.

“You know this is all very new to me, right? I am still learning to be a Dragon. I am barely figuring out how to be a queen. Let alone a Fae and working out how to use my magic. Now you’re telling me I am about to have not one baby, but two!” I blow out a long breath. Thinking about how I am going to walk out of this cave without revealing this big news to my four very observant men. If I tell them now—

“It will jeopardize what needs to be done. Let your Dragon protect the babies, they are hers as well,” the seers say it with a smile. I know I should feel reassured, but my stomach is in knots.

“Is that everything?” I don’t know why the hell I asked. I should just run out of here now.

“Time is running out, my queen. You must go now.”

Of course it is. Now I need to put on a brave face because I have a secret that I can’t afford to give away.

Babies . . . There is no way I can hide something so crucial. I will not be a hypocrite. My words to Gale echo in my mind from not so long ago.“Honesty from here on out,”I told my mates, despite the seers warning, not telling them could be just as bad.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

GALE

“She’s been going nonstop since we left the seers caves. Is it me or is she avoiding us?” I ask my brothers as we stand around the portal on the outskirts ofSaphir. Once we got back to the palace, she met with Dravyn’s mother and talked to each family that arrived with her. She had Cree list all the children and adults who hadn’t emerged and promised to get them to the seers as soon as she returned. She settled her father into the royal apartments, insisting that he stayed in her mother’s room out of respect. She also insisted we leave as soon as possible.

None of us have had a chance to discuss with Cordelia what we actually learned from the seers, and what our plan of action should be. We haven’t even told her what she will be walking into once we go back to Earth. No kisses. No hugs. Just orders. So, here we are, waiting. Trusted guards standing within the boundary of trees making sure no unwanted visitors decide to come through uninvited. With Maurelle and her cronies out there, portal security is tight. The last thing we need is for Thaddeus to think he can waltz right back in here.

“Nope, she’s definitely avoiding us.” Adrian paces in front of the portal, his agitation is growing while we stand around waiting. Not one for patience that one.

“She’s got a lot on her plate. She can’t be draped over us every hour of every day. You need get used to the lack of attention.” Torin smirks, folding his arms over his broad chest, legs apart, taking up too much goddamn space as he waits like a good little mate.

“I agree with Torin. This is just the beginning. She not only has Arcadia to look after, but she is the queen of the Night Court. What happens when she has Shifters to manage as well? The only place that has their own leader is Celestia, so that’s something.” Dravyn sits cross-legged with his satchel on his lap plucking at the grass, lost in thought.

“Of course, you would agree with your bestie over there. But I am not ready to share her yet. We are newly mated. Am I the only one to feel that way?” I shake my head at the three of them who are watching our mate as intently as I am.

“She’s a queen. We are her mates. We support her. I am not looking forward to how busy she’s going to be. I thought we could ease her into this. I should have known better.” Adrian shrugs as he continues to pace restlessly.

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