Page 62 of Smoke and Blood

“The Dispatch.Insignificant, disposable people,” Kai stated flatly, having come to terms with that fact a long time ago.

“That’s horrid.”The markings along Brenna’s arms and her eyes went tangerine.

Aodh growled, and a smoke cloud mushroomed above the table created by him and his father.

“The first I heard of any shifter serum was once I fled with my sister, and Aodh brought us here.I found out she was marked and Lupine mated,” Kai finished.

“Ah, that’s right.We heard,” Rhys declared.

“How is your sister?”Brenna inquired as she speared the roasted potatoes on her plate.

“I don’t know.I haven’t spoken to Morlie.”Kai ate a bite of her stew.She thought about her sister and hoped she was doing okay.

“It has only been a few days.We are giving Morlie time to settle in.”Aodh added as he placed a hand on her knee under the table, giving her his support and comfort.

“Understandable.How are you adjusting, Kai?”

Kai inhaled and then exhaled, releasing worry for her sister and her ill feelings for her government.She thought of what she had here, all she had gained: a mate, a people, now a surrogate family, and the most precious, a child.“I am well.As soon as I figure out how to stay awake for longer than a few hours, I want to start learning all I can about the Thunder and the territory.”

Brenna smiled.“The offspring.It takes a lot from you in the first month.But you will find it gives you strength as it grows.”

“That’s good to know.I was afraid I would sleep for the next nine months.”Kai continued to eat.

“Nine months?”Brenna frowned and glanced around the table.“How many scales have appeared?”

“Four.”Kai sighed.“As you see, I’m only about four days along and have a long way to go.”

“Not months, Kai.Weeks.”

“Weeks.”

“Yes.”Brenna’s eyes showed lilac flames as she smiled.“Dragon-shifter females do not carry offspring as long as human women.Each scale that covers a drahkelle’s belly represents a week in human time.We only carry our young for four months.”

Four months?Kai’s heart began to race, and blood thumped into her ears.

Breathe, little flame.Aodh reached over and linked his fingers with hers.

Hearing Aodh’s voice alerted her that she had not posed her question out loud.

It will be okay.I promise.He used his other hand to caress her face and turn her toward him to meet his eyes.

“Kai.”Brenna set her fork down and met her gaze over the table.“I remember being pregnant with Aodh, my first, and feeling unprepared and nervous.If it wasn’t for my mother and other older females, I think I would’ve had a harder time with it.”

Kai sank her teeth into her bottom lip, anxious.She was slowly getting to meet the people in the territory.But no one she could count on to go through this with her besides Aodh and Tana.

“If you would allow me, I’d like to be there for you in whatever way you need, and maybe a few things you don’t know you need.”Brenna slid her hand across the table, palm up, waiting for her.

Grateful for the offer, Kai placed her hand on Brenna’s and accepted the gentle squeeze and the support.She smiled at Aodh’s mother.“Thank you.I’d love your help with the baby...and building a garden.”

Brenna pulled her hand away and placed it over her heart as she let out a laugh filled with pure joy.“I’d love to garden with you.”

They all ate and chatted for a while.

“Father, what do you know about dragon gold?”Aodh sat back in his seat.

Rhys was adding more food to his plate.Hearing Aodh’s question, he set the serving bowl down, his brows lifted high, and he glanced from his wife to his son.“Dragon’s gold?I haven’t heard anyone talk about that for maybe a half-century.”

“Me either,” Brenna added.“Wasn’t the hilt of your grandfather’s broadsword dipped in it?”

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