Page 28 of Taken By the Naga King

“No.”

“Okay, well, that rules out some things. Why don’t we run some blood tests?”

“Okay,” she said.

As the doctor grabbed the things he needed, Gravon placed a kiss atop her head. “It is going to be okay.”

“All right, I’m going to take some blood now.”

The healer inserted the needle. Once he was done, he walked over to a machine and placed the vial inside. She had never seen tech like this before in a doctor’s office. On Noxxa, the only doctors she ever saw were the cheap ones. The Jorvlens only wanted to do the bare minimum to keep her alive as their property and nothing more.

“What does that machine do?” she asked, unable to help her curiosity.

“It is going to run your blood through every single test we have for humans. I must admit, there aren’t that many, as we don’t ever have humans here. But there is enough to give us some information, and we will figure out what’s wrong with you nonetheless.”

Azha nodded.

“How did you feel yesterday?” the healer asked.

“Um, normal. And when I first woke up today, I felt normal, too. Although I did feel really cold. And then all of a sudden, it started.”

“And how do you feel right now?” The healer continued questioning her.

“I haven’t had any pain in a couple of minutes, but my stomach feels a little weird. Uncomfortable. And I still feel nauseated.”

He nodded. The machine behind him beeped, and he walked up to a screen on the wall. The doctor began reading the screen as both she and Gravon watched his face, waiting.

At first, he looked confused. But his expression very quickly turned to that of shock, and then something like glee.

Gravon hissed and made for the healer, his hood flared and fangs out, venom dripping in threat. “Tell us.”

The doctor spoke simply. “Gravid.”

Azha had never before seen Gravon look how he did at this moment. She couldn’t even describe the expression on his face. He looked at her, quickly closing the distance.

Azha began to freak out.

“Gravid?” she repeated. “What does that mean?”

Gravon smiled. “Pregnant. You’re pregnant.”

“What? How?”

The doctor spoke up. “I do not know how. But the king implanted his eggs in you and they are flourishing. Your blood has confirmed that fact. I think the pain was your body’s way of adjusting, as Niri eggs are shaped differently than human young.”

“I don’t understand. I thought humans and Niri couldn’t procreate.” She looked between the healer and Gravon.

“We thought so, too, or so we assumed. But it appears we were wrong because you are one hundred percent gravid.”

Gravon took her hand in his, looking at her in awe.

But Azha was still concerned. “How do we know this will work? If it’s never been done before, how do we know it’s safe? What if my body rejects it? My period is due in a week. What if it comes and terminates the pregnancy?”

She went on and on, naming different “what ifs,” and the doctor waited until she was done to speak.

“We will monitor you the entire time. But according to your blood sample, your body has accepted the eggs. It knows you’re pregnant, and it’s not trying to hurt you. Your hormones have changed as expected, and are now at the right level for a healthy pregnancy, human, Niri, or otherwise.”

“But what about the nausea?” Gravon spoke up.

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