Page 49 of Dragon Mine (Dragon Kings 2)
A muscle ticked in Con’s jaw, the only thing that let Brandr know he was irked. Con’s face remained impassive. “Leaving at the moment is impossible.”
“Because of the pregnant woman?”
“That is V’s mate,” Con said, his voice dipping lower. “Claire is here in hopes the bairn can be born alive.”
Brandr crossed his arms over his chest, his fury building with every second. “This is why I didna want the doorway built. You all think you can just come and go as you please.”
“Contrary to what you might believe, we asked for Eurwen’s permission.”
And the hits just kept coming.
Con blew out a breath. “You know about us. You know that only three bairns have been born alive. Melisse, you, and your sister. All three of you are half-Fae. Claire isna Fae. She isna a Druid. But a Fae ensured she conceived. Usaeil wanted to hurt us. Most unions between dragons and humans end in a miscarriage fairly soon. It’s uncommon for a mortal to carry a bairn to term. Claire and V have the right to see their child born alive.”
“All of that is your problem. Things from your realm. What gives you the right to bring any of it here?”
“You want to keep our realms separate, but that isna possible. You’re my son. The dragons you rule are here because of me. Our two realms are tied together, whether you want to believe it or no’.”
Brandr snorted as he dropped his arms to his sides. “You talk so nobly, but when it came right down to it, you didna try very hard to get here to know your children, did you?”
Fury filled Con as he narrowed his black eyes. “You know nothing of what you speak.”
“Oh, I speak the truth. Something you’re unable to do.”
Con’s nostrils flared. “Your mother and I knew nothing of you and your sister. Erith took you from Rhi to save the three of you, but when it came time to return you to Rhi’s womb, you two would have none of it. At least, that’s what Erith told us. She took you from us. We never knew the joy of your birth, never got to name you, watch you crawl. We missed it all. Yet, you and Eurwen knew of us the entire time. You came to Earth. You watched us. You’re the ones who made it clear you wanted nothing to do with us. Could we have stormed Zora? Could I have made you talk to me? You’re bloody right I could have!”
Brandr saw for the first time why the magic had chosen Con as King of Kings. He was formidable, clever, and astute. His calm demeanor belied the fierce dragon he was.
“Rhi and I respected your wishes,” Con continued. “Even though it tore us both apart. Your utter disregard for our feelings and the lack of control we had in any of this is appalling and inexcusable. You’re better than that.” Con walked past Brandr back to the cottage.
Brandr swallowed, pretty sure his father had just firmly put him in his place. He hadn’t liked what Con had said, but he couldn’t deny the truth of it.
“By the way, we’re no’ leaving until Claire has the bairn,” Con threw over his shoulder.
Brandr turned, but Con had already continued walking. He stared at his father’s retreating back, unsure of what to do. He didn’t want any Kings on Zora, but they were already here. Brandr couldn’t, in good conscience, send Claire away now that her labor had begun. He thought it was foolish for them to think that having the child on Zora would make a difference in whether it lived or not.
Claire cried out, the sound filled with agony. Brandr recalled V’s face and the panic there. A King and his mate were attempting to bring a life into the world. Whatever anger Brandr felt toward the Kings didn’t apply to an innocent child.
He returned to his home, but he could still hear Claire’s screams, even across the distance. The hours progressed, with day fading to night, but Claire’s cries only grew louder and longer. She was in tremendous anguish. Finally, he’d had enough and teleported from his place to Eurwen’s. He wasn’t sure why.
Brandr quietly opened the door and stepped inside. V sat behind Claire, supporting her as she reclined against him. Rhi was between Claire’s spread legs, guiding her and telling her when to push. Con stood off to the side, watching it all with a worried expression. Something in his father’s face made Brandr realize how important this birth was. He’d been too wrapped up in his anger to comprehend that until now.
“Come on, baby,” V urged Claire. “You can do this.”
Tears fell down her cheeks. “I’m tired. So tired.”
“I’ve got you,” V said and kissed her temple. “I’ll always have you. No matter what happens.”
Claire’s face scrunched up as she bore down, her teeth bared as she strained. Brandr wasn’t sure he should be here, but he couldn’t make himself leave. No one had noticed him yet. It felt as if he were intruding.
Another twenty minutes passed as he watched Claire pushing without any movement from the baby. Suddenly, Brandr felt the urge to go to her. He fought it, not understanding. Until he could no longer ignore the feeling within him.
He started forward. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Con’s head jerk to him. As he neared Rhi, she looked up in surprise. Brandr looked at V, then Claire. The human mate met his gaze. He paused, waiting for her approval. He had no idea why, but it was important. Then, she nodded once.
A cry tore from her as a contraction hit. He could see her stomach moving from the cramp. Brandr lifted his left arm. He watched it as if from outside his body as he rested his hand upon her belly. The moment his palm made contact, he felt the Fae magic.
He jerked back in shock.
“Whatever you did, do it again!” V shouted.
