Page 32 of Grumpy Dragon Christmas

“No more.” Jade gently pushes my hand away with the choicest sliver of roast meat. “I’m absolutely stuffed…with food as well as a baby.” She chuckles to herself.

I eat the meat as she reaches for a drink.

“You are sure you’ve had enough, little snack?” I ask. I have consumed plenty of ale wine while I enjoyed feeding her,enjoying myself in the knowledge the only thing intoxicating me is her.

“Absolutely. I’m already fit to burst as it is,” she says, her face sobering. “In fact, I could be giving birth any time…well, now.”

“To have your young?” My heart leaps in my chest, rut and mating mix roaring in my veins. “You will birth soon?” My lips struggle to keep up, my mind in a whirl of emotion as my head spins.

My heartsfire will birth, she will have our young. I will be able to hold him in my arms.

The surfeit of ale wine probably wasn’t the best of ideas.

Jade dips her head, her long dark hair falling over her face. “Yes.”

I capture her chin between my thumb and forefinger, lifting her to look at me.

“When I promised no one would hurt you, I meant it. I will be there with you every step of the way, every seccari. Whatever you need, I will bring it. I will kiss away your pain, and I will celebrate your birthing.”

“But…” Jade hesitates. “This child, it isn’t yours. I don’t even know what species it is.” Warm water drips from her eyes onto my skin, and I swipe it away with my thumb.

“He is part of you, which means he will be perfect.”

Jade hiccups a laugh. “You’re very certain the baby is male.”

I puff out my chest. “Of course my first born will be male.”

His eyes widen. “Yourfirst born?”

“Oh, little snack.” I kiss the water from her face. “My heartsfire, you belong to me, your young belong to me. He is my progeny no matter what, and I will not have anyone say different.”

“You really mean that?” Jade says, her hand curled around mine. “You would take my baby as your own?”

“I didn’t think there was any doubt, heartsfire. I want you until the stars go out, and then I’ll want you some more. We will have many, many young, and this little one”—I put my hand on her belly—“will have many siblings to play with, as I did.”

“You had a big family?” Jade asks.

“Once,” I say quietly. “But then the Liderc destroyed my planet. I don’t know if they made it off.”

“Oh,” Jade says, her hand tightening on mine. “I’m so sorry, Drekkan.”

“I had my younger brother with me when it happened. We were off world with half of the Sarkarnii fleet.”

“At least you had him.”

“Not anymore,” I grind out. “I was trying to save the ship when the Habosu attacked. I don’t know if he is dead or alive.” She touches my face, turning me to look at her. “Don’t pity me. I should have been a better warrior, and I should have got off this nevving planetoid turns ago,” I growl.

“Here they are!” Qrow’s voice breaks into our booth, and I turn with a snarl.

The collar buzzes against my skin and Jade narrows her eyes.

“I see you are finally making friends, Drekkan.” The mayor steps into view. He flashes us both a silly smile which is mostly gum.

I immediately want to kill him, and my desire is rewarded by a chime from the collar, causing Jade’s brow to furrow.

“A word.” The mayor beckons to me.

“Will you excuse me, heartsfire?” I ask. “My nemesis apparently doesn’t understand what happens when he gets between a Sarkarnii and his mate.”

---