Page 45 of Smoke and Moon

The guard spotted her through the crack, got up from her chair immediately, and pushed the door wider faster.

Kai smiled at the guard.“Aine, I presume.”

“Yes, Aguya Kai.”She offered a slight bow as she pulled the door closed once again.The woman appeared older than her by a few years, but since Drahks lived so long, Kai couldn’t figure out her age as she assessed the other woman’s strong, angular features.

“It’s nice to meet you.Hopefully, you all can return to your regular duties soon.”Kai moved toward the stairs.

“I don’t mind.Edjer always ensures we have extra time off in the schedule.”

“That’s good to know they compensate you for the extra duties.”Kai smiled back at Aine.She was glad Edjer cared for his people here, in the Dispatch District, that never would have happened.

“It is an honor to be called in direct service of the Mckenna and his family.”

Kai turned at the sound of another voice and saw Tana coming up the stairs carrying a tray weighed down with a lot of food.

“Your timing is impeccable.”Kai laughed.“I was just coming down to get food for my sister.”

“And you, I’m sure.”Tana effortlessly continued up the stone stairs and stared pointedly at Kai’s belly.

Instinctively, Kai touched her stomach and caressed where she knew the scale marking sat.“If this little one continues to demand food like this, I don’t think there will be enough for anyone else in the territory.”

Tana laughed, and her scales gleamed an eye-piercing canary color.“Don’t you worry.We have plenty for you and all the other mothers we expect.”

“That’s good to know.”

“My mate and I will start breeding in the next few days when I am off,” Aine chimed in.“We have wanted offspring for so long to help grow the Thunder.Thank you, Aguya.”

Shocked at the woman’s words, Kai felt a tightness in her chest.To hear Aodh talk about how his people could not have children since he had become a leader with no mate was one thing, but seeing the lavender flames of hope in this Drahk woman’s gaze and radiating along the markings on her arms beneath the short sleeves of her uniform caused a flutter in Kai’s belly.Kai never thought much about children, but it wasn’t because, unlike the Drahk women, she had been denied the chance.No.Kai had too many other responsibilities on her shoulders, which kept her from just finding a man to lie beneath until she conceived like many other women in the district.

But to have a mate you cared for and they cared for you in return but not be able to create a child had to be the greatest sorrow a woman could experience, only surmounted by the loss of a child.The last thought caused Kai to protectively press a firm hand against her stomach.

“I am glad you all can start your family soon.”Kai wanted to reach out and embrace the woman, but she knew Drahks saved touching for their close family and mates alone.Instead, she offered her a smile.

Kai turned to the attendant, who stood at the landing.“Tana, I have not yet shared the baby news with Morlie.She is dealing with a lot right now, and I don’t want to overshadow her issues by talking about anything else yet.”

A disquiet shadow moved through Tana’s eyes, but she nodded.“As you wish.”

No one had to tell Kai that once Morlie decided she wanted to leave her suite, it wouldn’t be long before she heard the talk about Kai’s pregnancy, but Kai hoped to tell her sister first.

“Can I help you carry something?”Kai asked.

“No need, I have it.”Tana shifted the heavy-laden tray to one hand, then pushed open Morlie’s door with the other.The tray didn’t even wobble.

The Drahk’s strength never ceased to amaze Kai.

When they entered, Kai saw that her sister had not moved from the spot by the window.It was becoming light outside now, and the purple hue of the sky was reflected through the glass onto her sister’s face, giving Morlie a haunted, ethereal appearance.

“Morlie, we have food.Tana was already bringing you something.”

She watched her sister paste a fake smile on her face as she turned to them but remained by the window.“Good.I should have let you bring me something when you asked before, Tana.I wouldn’t be so hungry now.”

“Well, I have plenty for you both to get your fill.”Tana crossed the space with smooth, measured steps.At the table, she started unloading the tray, placing one dish after another, and then she set a basket of fresh bread on it.“You two are all set.I’ll be back later for the empty platters.”

Kai took a seat at the table and glanced down at the food.“We’ll do our best, but this is a lot.”

“I have confidence in the two of you,” Tana briefly shifted her gaze at Morlie, then back at Kai.“Enjoy.”

Kai waited until Tana had left before she looked at her sister.“Come join me.Or I may eat all this before you get here,” she taunted.

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