Page 55 of Emerald Waves
“I am?” Ionus questioned and Alex gave him that look. “Yes, yes, I am. I’ll gather the ingredients and have it for you tomorrow.”
“You must teach me that trick,” I whispered to him.
“You have so much to learn, my youngling, but trust in your sensei. I’ve gotcha!” With a final kiss to my cheek, noisily, I might add, Alex hopped off the bed. “I better go rescue the others from the twins.”
“I shall follow you home, my love.” Ionus wrapped his arms around Alex. “Congratulations, my brothers. I’m beyond elated for you both.”
Caro hadn’t stopped smiling.
Odem rubbed his hands together like the evil uncle he was. “Uncle Odem is soooo ready for this! Payback for all the times Caro used to beat my ass.”
Why oh why did I get mated into such a competitive family?
“Ha-ha-ha,” Caro’s booming laughter rang out. “Bring it on, little brother.”
Little brother? They were born within minutes of each other, weren’t they?
Oh goddess.
Their mother had five eggs.
Alex and Ionus had four.
Please, please, please don’t let there be more than one inside me.
“Emerson, your heartrate is elevating,” Raven gripped my wrist and checked my pulse. Caro, Odem, Mattias, and Quint quieted. “What was the cause?”
“Oh, um, counting backwards egg wise.”
“Come again?”
I sighed. “Their mother had five, Alex had four. There’s no way on earth I could handle more than one dragonet at a time.”
And key in the boisterous laughter.
Raven smiled and placed a hand upon my abdomen. “You’ll be happy to know, I only detect a single egg. I think you’re safe.”
“Thank fuck!” Well, that caused even more laughter. “Sorry.”
“No need to apologize, my love,” Caro kissed my forehead. “It’s rare you use curse words which was what made the fact you just did so funny.”
Evidently, I was the only one terrified of having more than one egg in me at a time. I really, really, really hoped Raven was right.
“Time to call the contractor. I’m assuming you want the room next to ours to be the nursery as I’d envisioned?” Caro asked.
“Yes please. Raven, can you tell if it’s a boy or a girl?”
She winked. “I’d go gender neutral for now. The little one will tell you when it’s time.”
I had so many questions for Alex.
“I know that look,” Caro grinned. “Let’s head over to Ionus and Alex’s house. That is, if you’re up for it.”
Raven helped me stand and handed me a bottle of water. “Drink this and see if it stays. I wish I could tell you it won’t happen again but that may be a lie. If you recall, Alex had horrible morning sickness.”
“Yes, and four eggs inside him,” I shivered. “One is perfect.”
“Agreed, my love. One to dote on and spoil rotten.” Caro was far too excited about this. But I must remember, the Denarius brothers waited literal centuries to not only find their mates but to bring offspring into the world.
