Page 69 of Fire and Fate
"Why does it even matter how it happens?" I ask, genuinely confused. "You do some magic ritual and then curate eggs or something, right? Isn't that how dragons reproduce? I've seen the younglings, they talk about hatching from eggs."
The entire table falls silent. Lady Thera's teacup freezes halfway to her lips. Several other nobles exchange glances that range from amused to scandalized. Even the servants standing nearby look shocked.
Solace, who's been sitting quietly beside me throughout this tea, turns to stare at me with wide eyes. "Babe, have you not listened to anything that's been explained over the last six months? Anything at all about dragon reproduction?"
"What?" I look around at all the shocked faces. "What did I say wrong?"
Zara leans forward, her expression caught between amusement and disbelief. "Yes, there's a magical component to dragon reproduction. The magic has to recognize that the time is right, that the bond is strong enough, that the parents are ready. But eggs are a myth, Kaia. A story that got twisted over centuries of misunderstanding. When the magic is ready, you'll get pregnant. Actually pregnant, carrying younglings in your body the same way any mammal does."
My eyes go wide with horror. "What? No. That can't be right. Dragons lay eggs. Everyone knows that. The stories all say—"
"The stories are wrong," Alessia says gently. "We're shifters, Kaia. We have two forms, but our base biology is mammalian. Dragon younglings are born live, not hatched. And for one, I'm very excited to see you all swollen with our younglings. You're going to be beautiful."
"No!" The word comes out as almost a shriek. I stand up from the table so fast my chair tips backward. "I can't give birth to dragons! Have you seen baby dragons? They have claws and teeth and they breathe fire! How is that supposed to fit through—" I gesture vaguely at my lower body, unable to even finish the sentence.
Several nobles are hiding smiles behind their teacups now. Lady Thera looks like she's trying very hard not to laugh outright.
"Well, they'll be part wolf as well," Solace points out, trying to be helpful but only making it worse. "Since you're half wolf, half dragon. So technically our younglings will be a newer species. A hybrid. That's actually really exciting from a magical genetics standpoint."
"I don't care about magical genetics!" I practically wail. "I care about not being torn apart from the inside by baby dragons with claws!"
Zara stands, moving around the table with that predatory grace she has. "But you're right about one thing, sweet girl. It is time to practice. After all, we need to make sure we're doing everything correctly when the magic finally decides you're ready."
"I'm not ready!" I back away from her, bumping into Solace who's also stood up. "I need more time to prepare mentally for this revelation. Years, possibly. Maybe decades."
"Nothing will happen until the magic decides you're ready," Zara assures me, still advancing. "Dragon reproduction doesn't work like wolf reproduction. You can't just get pregnant anytime. The magic has to approve, has to sense that all four of us are truly bonded and ready to raise younglings together. That could take months more, or even years."
"Then why are you looking at me like that?" I demand, still backing away.
"Because while we wait for the magic to be ready, I'm going to enjoy ravishing you," Zara says with a grin that's absolutely wicked. "Repeatedly. Thoroughly. In every way you'll allow."
Before I can protest further, she's swept me up into her arms. I squeal, grabbing onto her shoulders for stability as she strides away from the tea table. Behind us, I can hear the nobles laughing and making comments about young love and enthusiastic queens.
"This is so embarrassing," I mutter against Zara's shoulder. "I just made a fool of myself in front of the entire council."
"You asked an honest question based on misinformation," Zara says, unbothered. "There's no shame in that. Though I am curious what else you think you know about dragons that might be completely wrong."
"Apparently everything," I grumble.
She carries me through the castle corridors, drawing amused looks from servants and guards who've learned not to comment on their queens' public displays of affection. Alessia and Solace follow behind us, both of them still trying to hide their amusement at my earlier panic.
When we reach our chambers, Zara kicks the door shut behind us and carries me straight to the massive bed we all share. She lays me down on the silk coverlet, hovering over me with that intense look that makes my stomach flip with desire despite my embarrassment.
"Nothing will happen until you're ready, sweet girl," she says again, more seriously this time. Her hand cups my face, thumb stroking my cheekbone. "I mean that. We won't have younglingsuntil the magic decides all four of us are prepared for that responsibility. And even then, your body will know what to do. Dragon births aren't easy, but they're not the horror you're imagining either. Our bodies are designed for it, built to handle it. You'll be safe."
"Promise?" I ask, my voice coming out smaller than I'd like.
"I promise," she says firmly. "I would never let anything hurt you, especially not our own younglings. When the time comes, you'll have the best healers in Embrath attending you. You'll have me and Alessia and Solace all supporting you. And you'll have magic to ease the pain and help the process along. You won't be alone or helpless."
Some of the panic eases from my chest. "Okay. I believe you."
"Good," Zara says, leaning down to press a soft kiss to my lips. "Now, about that practice..."
