Page 9 of Winter at Stonefire

We don't know that. Given how she's conceived despite not being compatible means anything could happen.

Dr. Sid wouldn't give her anything dangerous.

Bram knelt next to Kai. "How is she?"

As he brushed hair from his mate's forehead, he replied, "I don't know. She's pale, Bram. And I don't like it."

Bram said, "I know it probably won't mean anything, but it happens with some pregnancies. Evie was sick and pale a lot when she carried Eleanor. Some babies just cause more trouble."

Finn knelt close by. "Aye, Arabella struggled with the triplets. At least our fourth one is being a wee bit better behaved."

Jane moaned and slowly blinked open her eyes. Kai never stopped caressing her cheek as he said, "Janey, are you okay?"

Her eyes eventually stayed open, and she raised a hand to rub her forehead. "I think so." She lowered her hand to point at him. "Why didn't you tell me?"

He didn't miss a beat. "I didn't know until right before the meeting. I thought it better to share the news after."

"Kai, you know how I hate to be in the dark about anything. You should've told me."

Before he could reply, Dr. Sid rushed into the room, a medical bag in her hand. "Let me through."

Bram and Finn stood, moving aside to allow Dr. Sid to kneel next to Jane. As soon as the doctor was settled, she glanced between them, a knowing look in her eyes. She could smell Kai's scent intertwined with Jane's, signaling she was pregnant.

The doctor motioned toward Jane. "Can you sit up on your own, Jane? If not, we can lie you down. Either way, I need room to work and your big, muscled mate is in the way."

His dragon growled.She's our mate and carries our young. Of course we're going to protect her.

Calm down. This is Sid.

His beast sniffed.Still, Janey is ours.

He sent soothing thoughts to his beast as Jane said, "I think I can sit up."

Kai helped her into a seated position. Even though he wanted to pull Jane close, he settled for holding her hand instead as the doctor asked questions and checked Jane over.

Once Dr. Sid finished, she looked at Jane. "I think being sick and emptying your stomach, combined with being pregnant and slightly stressed, caused your fainting. However, I'd like to get you to the surgery to draw some blood and run a few tests."

Jane's voice was low as she asked, "Should I be worried?"

Kai squeezed her hand in reassurance, but Jane's focus remained on Dr. Sid. The doctor answered calmly, "You know I don't like conjecture, especially with no data to base it upon. Let's just get you to the surgery and see what happens." The doctor shifted her gaze to Kai. "Can you carry her?”

"Of course."

Jane frowned. "Is that necessary?"

Kai and Dr. Sid said at the same time, "Yes."

Jane sighed and then mumbled, "So much for acing my presentation."

Kai lifted his mate and lowered his head to her ear. "You did well, Janey. All we need to do is talk to Adrian, and I'm sure Bram and the others will do that. But never forget it was you and your determination that started it all."

She laid her head on his shoulder. "I know. Still, I don't like leaving things unfinished."

"I'll keep you updated, I promise. For now, your health is all that matters."

She fell silent, and Kai didn't mind. It wasn't strained. Besides, Jane looked even paler and dark circles had formed under her eyes.

He didn't like either.

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