Page 51 of Drakhana's Secret
I’m smiling so hard that my cheeks begin to hurt. I can’t think of a better time to be raising a young one. This settlement will love the dragon growing inside of me as if it is their own. I wouldn’t want to raise this baby anywhere else.
The earth clan has proven their might against the fire and ice clans. I honestly believe that we will not be hearing from them again. We have beaten them soundly and they know that should they ever threaten us again we will just beat them all over again.
I have more at stake now. I will not allow any future children of mine to feel unsafe. And I will certainly not permit anyone to take away the home and clan of my children or anyone’s children for that matter.
We have driven them out of the city. We have shown them who is more powerful. They will not be making the same mistakes again by challenging us.
That is the thought that I have when I rejoin the party. I catch Gallant in the middle of a pie eating contest of all things. All the women cheer on their partners.
I laugh when I see Gallant plunge his face into the gooseberry pie and eat every last bite. When he wins, he gets up and throws his fists into the air. Then he comes to me.
At first, I don’t know what he’s up to. When I realize that he’s about to rub all that berry juice into my face, I run away from him. He gives chase and everyone laughs.
Thirty-Four
Gallant
Sapphire decides to stay on the dancefloor with the other females when I’m pulled aside by the males to enjoy some ale. They have been congratulating me nonstop because I’m about to become a father. I can’t believe it myself.
When Sapphire told me, I was the happiest dragon on the planet. To be a father is a privilege that I don’t plan on taking lightly. It also puts a heavy lump of worry in my gut.
“Tell us about the battle,” one of the male earth dragons asks me.
I regale them with stories about being on the front line. How we defeated Rastus and Logan. And how we drove away the fire and ice dragons from the city.
This brings a sense of peace among the males that I’m with. We toast to the earth clan and the new powers that Mother Earth has bestowed upon us. What I don’t share with them are my suspicions about the fire and ice clan being back.
I know that we haven’t heard the last of them. They are not one to give up easily. It’s never that simple.
Now that I’m about to become a father, I need to become even more vigilant. I will not allow for everything that I have built to be taken away once more. At the same time, I will no longer tolerate my clan not being prepared. We always have to be ready from this point forward.
I let everyone have their fun. They deserve this party. But come morning, I will begin making preparations for better defenses.
I finish my tankard of ale then excuse myself from the table. I promise them that I will be back. I just need to make a phone call first.
Without telling anyone, I make my way outside the settlement. The signal is stronger when I’m not underground. I stand by the entrance and dial Branson’s number.
He picks up after the third ring and asks, “How’s everything at the settlement?”
“Better than I could have expected. You should really come and have a look at things here,” I tell him. I have a vested interest in Branson coming to the settlement.
“I think I just might.”
“I have some news that I want to share with you,” I say, a smile already stretching my face.
“What?”
“I’m going to be a father.”
“Wow! Congratulations!”
Even from miles away, I can feel Branson’s joy. We share a laugh when he jokes about being the godfather. I tell him that I can’t think of anyone doing a better job.
Then I grow serious. “That’s actually one of the reasons why I wanted to call you.”
“I’m honored to be that hatchling’s godfather, but I get the feeling there’s more.”
“You know me too well.” I look out into the distance. “As soon as I can get away, I’m returning to the city. We have to start making plans about beefing up our defenses.”
