Page 75 of The Dragon's Mate

It was a smart idea, Bren had to give himthat. The window faced a narrow alley that wasn’t visible from the street.

“It hurts so bad,” Sika said.

“I am sorry, Sika,” Jarvis said. Heclimbed onto the bed and gently pushed Sika forward until he was sitting behindher. She rested against his chest and he smoothed her hair away from hersweaty face. “I know it hurts, but soon you will be holding our hatchling inyour arms.”

He glanced at Kaida who nodded. She was kneelingon the bed between Sika’s legs. Taking a deep breath, Bren said, “What can Ido?”

“Do you have any fans?” Kaida said. “Itwill help to cool her.”

“Yeah.” He hurried out of the room and grabbedthe fan from his bedroom and the large one from the storage closet. He pluggedthem in and aimed the larger one directly at Sika. She moaned when the coolair washed over her, and Jarvis kissed her cheek.

“Better, my love?”

“Yes, I… fuck!” She turned her head andblew another short burst of flame out the open window. “Fuck, it hurts! Thehatchling is coming! I have to push!”

Kaida looked under the sheet. “I can seeits head. Push, Sika.”

Sika turned her head and buried her face inJarvis’s neck to muffle her scream as she pushed. Panting, she collapsed againstJarvis, her head lolling on his chest.

“Good, my love. You’re doing so well,” Jarvissaid.

She blew out more flame as her bodytensed. “There’s another contraction starting.”

“Push,” Kaida said.

Sika pushed again and Kaida said, “The headis free. Can you give me another big push?”

The heat intensified in the room and Brenwiped away the sweat that was making his eyes sting as Sika pushed again. Herchest glowed bright red and she blew out another burst of fire before cryingout in agony.

“Good, Sika!” Kaida shouted. “Good! Anotherpush!”

“Jarvis!” Sika cried.

“You must push, my love. Right now. Bringour hatchling into the world.” Jarvis’s voice was calm. He kissed Sika’s sweatycheek. “Push, Sika.”

She pushed again, her body straining withthe effort and Kaida shouted, “A towel, Bren. I need a towel!”

He ran for the linen closet, grabbing twolarge towels. When he returned to the room, he stopped dead in his tracks, staringat the baby that Kaida was holding.

“You have a son,” she said to Sika andJarvis.

Sika started to cry, and Jarvis hugged hertightly. Bren brought the towels over. He couldn’t take his eyes off thebaby. He was covered in a fine layer of green scales, and as Kaida took a towelfrom him and wiped the baby clean, his little face scrunched up.

“Step back, Bren,” Kaida said.

He stepped back on his still-rubbery legs,the clean towel clenched tightly in his fists as the baby’s mouth dropped open.He blew out smoke and a tiny puff of flame.

“Good, little one,” Kaida rubbed the baby’sscale-covered back, “do it again.”

The baby blew out another breath of smokeand fire and then one more before he wailed his first sound.

Sika sobbed loudly, and Kaida held out herhand for the clean towel. Bren handed it to her and Kaida set the baby on Sika’schest before covering him with the towel. Jarvis and Sika stared at their son,pressing kisses on his face and the top of his head. Kaida glanced at Bren. “Ineed a sharp and sterilized knife to cut the umbilical cord.”

Bren tore his gaze from the baby. “Right.I’ll, uh, go boil some water and sterilize a knife.”

He backed out of the room and leaned againstthe wall, his legs shaking as violently as a shed in an earthquake. He’d justseen a dragon being born. A goddamn dragon.

Chapter Fourteen

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