Page 51 of Dragon Keeper

About what? You are my perfect mate.

More children came running, and this time, he recognized some of the Rocky Mountain clutch. Sebastian, the oldest boy, was trailing behind them, smiling. He was clearly elected to watch them.

“Bright blessings, Tyr. Cade. Hello, Sloan. Brayden. Harden, how are the animals?”

“Akaki,Sebastian. They are well. The larparca is with child.”

The young man bounced, his face wreathed in smiles. “I’m so glad.”

“They are very friendly creatures. They like the bocapal, but the ysdri make them a bit nervous.”

“Mmmhmm.” Sebastian leaned over to sniff him.

His eyes went wide. “Okay, what is going on? Why is everyone smelling me?”

One of the little ones grinned at him. “Because you’s having a baby!” A little hand reached out to pat his belly.

Stunned, he stared hard, his breath catching. Until his ears rang and spots swam before his eyes.

“Love? Are you all right?” Sloan grabbed him as he staggered.

“Bring him over to sit…” Harden cleared a path to the cart and so many dragons gathered around, curious and concerned.

A baby.

Could it be true?

His baby?

Their baby?

“Come on, sweet.” Sloan led him to a set of benches that had been set out for later when the music began. He thunked down hard on one, still feeling not himself.

Sloan sat with him, one arm wrapped around him. “Breathe. A baby? Do you think?”

“I hadn’t, but… I want to. I want to think so.”

“Oh, Tyr, you’re definitely pregnant.” Cade chuckled, handing him a lovely tea with some of his honey in it. The scent was so soothing. “I can tell. I should know. My mate’s scent changed drastically with triplets.”

He sipped the tea, and it was delicious, rich and sweet and right. “Thank you.”

His scent had changed much? It seemed hard to believe. He was a little dizzy.

“Love.” Sloan was just staring at him with wonder in his eyes.

One of the toddlers from the village climbed on his lap and put an ear to his belly. “Hewwwwoooooo.” Then she giggled softly. “Is baybee! Is dwagon!”

“Yes, lovely. It’s a dragon baby.” He stared at Sloan.We’re going to have a baby. Do you… are you ready?

I am. I think you are too. The bee season is over, and we have time to get used to the idea. And then this coming summer, you’ll be pregnant, but not yet too big. I will help you, and we’ll bring in others, maybe the older children from the clutch or the village, as day help.

I—He leaned hard into Sloan’s side, breathing deeply so that he could focus on not crying. He didn’t want to ruin his first Kalan with a mate. He wanted to dance and feast and laugh.

Just breathe, sweet. It will take a moment.Sloan smiled at their friends and family, gathered around. “Can we sit with this for a few minutes?”

“Of course.” The babies had already been taken back, but the kids stopped crawling on him, and Harden and Brayden herded everyone away. Suddenly, it was very peaceful.

“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be selfish. I just…” A baby.