Page 65 of The Monster's Mate

“Well, you’re all set.” Nadia swipes her hair back from her face. “I’ll come back in a few days. Any fever, even low grade, is an emergency. Same goes for severe pain. If that happens, call me. Otherwise, I’ll check you both over again soon, but I’m not too worried. Outside of the dragonfire, your delivery went pretty smooth.”

I scoff.

If this was “pretty smooth,” we’re abso-fucking-lutely done having kids.

Epilogue

Eldritch

Another Month Later

“She’s moving like crazy.” Veryn leans over my shoulder, running his hand over the top of Serafina’s egg. “Ouch, it’s hot again.”

I chuckle. “I know, it’s burning my chest.”

Bane and I have had to take turns wearing the baby-chest wrap contraption the last few days. Our sweet little dragonling is fond of her dragonfire.

It does make me a bit nervous for once she’s born, but we’ll manage.

The top of the egg cracks, and my jaw falls.

“Run, hurry and grab everyone,” I tell Veryn. His big blue eyes widen, and he turns around, bolting toward the stairs. “All right, little one. That’s the way you do it.” I run my hand over the egg as another hairline crack appears.

My chest pulses with giddy excitement. The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here.

I lied.

It takes two hours for the tiny cracks to turn into substantial ones.

Charity sits on one side as Bane paces the floor bare, now that we’re back in the nest. Athos drinks his carbonated beverage, watching something on the tablet Bane got him to keep him busy.

Veryn lies on the end of the mattress, playing a game on his handheld toy device.

My eyes widen as the first edge of the shell falls away completely.

A blackish-blue paw kicks through the opening, and Charity gasps.

“You can do it,” I murmur, running my finger over the bottom of her clawed foot.

Bane stomps up the steps as the shell fully gives way.

“Holy shit, she’s a dragon,” Charity whispers. “Like a whole baby dragon.”

“That’s why they call them dragonlings.” Bane chuckles.

“No, I mean, she’s a fully formed dragon,” Charity whispers, gently pulling a piece of the egg away from Serafina’s tiny nubs of horns.

“Your sister is here.” I gently shove Veryn in the butt as he stays focused on his game.

Athos immediately drops his tablet. “Oh, she’s lovely.”

“Veryn only had a tail and wings.” Charity runs her finger over the dragon’s cheek.

I don’t think any of us are expecting Sera to pop up and nuzzle her cheek to Charity’s wrist.

“Hi, baby girl,” Charity murmurs.

“Holy fucking shit,” Bane chokes out.

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