Page 176 of Smoke and Lure

“Oh, gracious...Avalore, your arms....scales.”Standing, Kai stared at the bare extension of her friend's arm, revealed by the sleeveless lemon-yellow blouse Avalore wore, boldly showing her usual subdued markings.

“Wh—what—?”Avalore held her arms out and gazed transfixed at her limbs' reddish glow, as if she weren’t sure whom they belonged to.

“Has this happened before?”Kai reached out, but stopped short of touching the other woman.

Avalore shook her head vehemently, repeatedly turning her arms left and right, her eyes wide with wonder.“No.Never.”

“Your dragon is making itself known.”Ladon stepped up to them.When Avalore glanced at him, he met her gaze, assessing her eyes.“No flames yet, but I’m sure it won’t be long.I look forward to meeting Liekki’s mate's dragon.”

Avalore’s lips curled up in a smile as the color changed from the tint of rage to a canary yellow.“How do I subdue it?”

“Breathe,” Ladon declared with a shrug as if it were just that simple.“Aguya.Let’s get you back.More Drahk are coming to retrieve the body.I’m sure the Mckenna will want to examine it.”

Kai let him take her arm.“Yes.Let’s get— Ahhh!”

A sharp pain like never before shot through her stomach and pierced through her crotch.Kai’s knees buckled.

“Whoa...Aguya, are you alright?”Ladon encircled her shoulders, steadying her.

Avalore rushed to her, still shining bright, as she took hold of Kai’s other arm.

Unable to speak until the pain abated, Kai stood between the two in the forest.

She forced air into her lungs as the pain began to subside.“Guess, I’m more than a little bruised from the fall.”

“We need to get you back as quickly as possible.”

“If you permit me, Aguya.May I carry you?We could move faster.”Ladon stood waiting for her consent.

“I think you should let him,” Avalore added.

“Umm, if you believe it is necessary.”Kai knew it was a big deal for a Drahk to touch another, and to carry someone else’s mate was significant.If Kai thought she could make it back to the Mckenna building on her own steam without taking a long time, she would try to convince her guard that she was okay.However, she knew in her core that something was wrong with the baby, which was her primary concern.

“You have my permission.Please help me get back.”

Promptly, Ladon leaned down and picked her up, then immediately rushed forward, Avalore in step beside him.

Moving at Ladon’s pace, it didn’t take them long to return.

As they broke through, she heard the fierce beating of massive wings moments before an epic, burnt-orange dragon dropped from the sky.In a flash, Aodh was there.

“Give her to me,” came Aodh’s commanding growl.

Ladon didn’t hesitate as he handed her off.“Mckenna, forgive me.I only left my post for a mo—”

Kai whimpered, crying out and clutching her belly as she turned into Aodh.She felt the gush of water pour over her thighs, accompanying the piercing pain.“Aodh...the baby...it’s too soon—”

“We’ll discuss this later.Go to Edjer and tell him I want to double the security in the forest around the territory center and report anything suspicious.If another thing or person is on our lands, I want them eliminated.Now, Ladon!”Aodh ordered.

“Right away, Mckenna.”Ladon scrambled away.

Aodh shouldered through the gathering crowd, tearing across the hard-packed ground at breakneck speed toward the building.

Liekki, return now!Our plans are changing.We will go to war by nightfall tomorrow, and I will need you to communicate this to the council.

Kai tried to breathe through the sharp pain as she heard Aodh’s mental orders to his brother.Rarely did Aodh have his communication path to his brother wide enough for her to pick up on their discussions.She attributed it to the Mckenna being thrown off by the unexpected early arrival of their child.

I’m on my way, Mckenna,Liekki confirmed no questions asked.

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