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Bastien whimpers, this time from actual discomfort. “Pennie, I don’t want to disturb Bianca and Nico. If I come into the pool, can you heal me before she feels whatever’s happening to me?”

My welcoming—urgent—song is not subtle and Bastien slides into the liquid. We all surround him with healing energy, searching for a wound but finding none. What we discover inspires a light show in the cavern never seen before, like a million disco balls in a daring, winner-take-all contest.

Bastien doesn’t know what’s happening but we do, and as he releases a little whine, the tiny opening hidden beneath the feathers on his belly parts just slightly and issues forth an opalescent egg. We focus our efforts on suspending his new arrival in the liquid until he glances down and catches sight of it.

“Pennie, is it… is itreally?” he asks breathily, holding the egg against his chest, more tears streaming down his cheeks.

I send my inadequate song, but I want to use my words, to explain, to nurture, to care for my beloved Bastien in this extraordinary moment. My frustration is answered in a pulse of power in the cavern, an almost indignant willingness to awaken—however briefly—to do what’s right for our amazing charge.

The Pendragons in the pool, in the walls, in the floor, in the world, send their energy cascading toward me. My body begins to form, heat and fire, coals and scales, all packaged with exceedingly attractive grace, though undoubtedly lacking in humility.

Bastien’s entirely giddy as he beholds the process, his words for my family as much as for me. “Thank you… thank you… thank you.”

He repeats those words until I am able to respond. “You’re welcome, dear Bastien.” I pull him onto my lap and cradle him as he tenderly holds his young.

Eyes wide, he looks to me for the answer to the most important question of his life. “Thisis how I was born?”

“Yes, this is how you began.”

“But when will…?” His words fade, clearly expecting me to fill in the blanks.

I brush my fingers along his feathered cheeks. “When she’s ready. It could be days, years, decades, even centuries.” I sigh, because I can now. “That’s how you became the only Taran in the realm.”

His shock is plain and his gaze falls to the gleaming egg. “Not anymore.”

“No, you are not alone anymore. And Bastien, this happened very quickly after mating your mistress. You could have a hundred eggs or more in your life.”

He flinches. “No, not until we make the realm safe for them.”

My fury inspires a plume of steam to rise. “The Pendragons serve the Tarans from this point forward. No Taran will ever walk aloneeveragain.” I dip my head toward the egg. “She will grow up protected, first by our family and then by my kind.”

“But why?”

“It’s the repayment of a debt. There was a time when Tarans outnumbered Pendragons and we needed rescuing, not physically but our kindness was so depleted we just couldn’t see the point anymore. A very special Taran showed us a better way. She is why we aren’t what we used to be. We owe a debt and we’re honored to finally have the chance to repay it.”

Bastien snuggles into me, but I still feel his fear. “I know my mistress won’t allow the queen to take my egg, but I’ll still be glad when she’s gone.”

I lean and kiss his forehead, murmuring, “There are ten thousand Pendragons in this room, Bastien, and you’ve given them the best possible reason to wake up. No one will ever harm your egg.”

Bastien glances around the room and whispers a sniffly, “Thank you.” He pauses and then his eyes widen. “You said whenshe’sready… how do you know the Taran is ashe?”

“We just do.”

Chapter66

Archie

Imiss everything.

I missed Nico and Bianca finally declaring theirmate-hood-worthylove.

I missed the birth of the first Taran egg, a new member in our already growing family.

I missed Pennie’s triumphant return, even a supposedly magnificent light show in Pennie’s cavern.

All because I was sleeping, probably snoring.

It’s just not fair—all of thatandthe fact that everyone else in our family is connected like they’re living in a spectacular musical. Ilovemusicals, especially that odd one about felines and their syllable-rich names.