“The Mckenna has proven himself during the weekly meetings over the years as our people have gone through tragedies, battles, and stabilization to be strong and wise.” Anala stepped closer but didn’t reach out for her, as it was the Drahk nature.

“We have no doubt he—with you—will provide those same traits to your offspring...perhaps the next Mckenna.”

Kai’s heart pounded in her chest, and her palms became damp.

She was excited about the baby she and Aodh were bringing into the world but never considered who she would be raising or what the child could mean to the dragon-shifters as a people.

The enormity of it all caused thoughts to swirl so fast in her head that it made her dizzy, and compounding the overwhelming emotions of the day, she began to feel shaky inside.

Am I the right mother for this child? The one to handle tonight?

Doubts filled her mind as she forced a smile; she didn’t want to worry the two women before her. “I need a second. I think the walk is catching up to me.”

“Is everything—?”

“Aguya Kai, may I—?”

Needing space, Kai turned and walked away. She moved onward with two trembling noodles beneath her instead of legs until she found a spot by a tall rack of colorful dresses she could hide behind. She grabbed hold of the bar for support, tightened her hand around the cool metal, and focused on it.

She pressed her other trembling hand to her swollen belly as she tried to draw in one quivering breath after another. The last thing she needed was to pass out in front of these two women, and the guard she could see out of her peripheral was hovering close.

Mate? The graveled textured with the sound of stones moving around the earth filled her mind.

Aodh was either close by or in dragon form if his contact came through clearly.

Mckenna...? Are you here?

He was handling so much today that she wondered if something had gone wrong.

Still not confident her legs would hold her, she kept her grip on the bar as she glanced over her shoulder toward the door.

Two other Drahks were entering and headed toward the ceremonial clothing area, but no massive, burnt-orange dragon landed on the other side of the windows.

No. Flying back to Drago. Your emotions are high. The dragon’s clipped Drahk language was heavy with concern.

Damn it, with Aodh across the territory, she’d forgotten about the mate bond.

She sank her teeth into the inside of her bottom lip and swallowed.

She wasn’t a weak woman; she had been through a lot and ensured she and her sister came out strong on the other side.

Aodh’s dragon didn’t need to worry about her.

Because if the Mckenna was concerned, then so was Aodh.

Talk. To. Me , he growled low.

I’m fine. A lot has happened today, but I am handling it, she responded in the same language. I will handle it, she added for herself. Since silently, she knew she hadn’t been doing a good job of it if her Drahk was reaching out to her.

Should I come to you, little flame? His heavy baritone made her feel he would move the earth if it stood in her way. If Aodh circumvented the natural order of things between him and his dragon, then it was evident they were concerned for her.

No, Aodh. I’ve got this here. I’m retrieving my outfit from Anala now and will eat something soon, and I will be better. Keep up with your plans. I’ll see you this evening. Kai released the bar and straightened her spine, willing her legs to do their job.

There was a pause as if he was convincing himself not to fly toward her instead of continuing his flight path. You must eat and rest. I am headed back to Drago’s. If I have asked too big of a task for you with the last words, send word—

Aodh. Mckenna . She addressed the whole of her mate. I am not fragile. Trust me to handle this.

She knew she needed to trust herself, but she had hours to get it together without everyone's concerns weighing on her.

You are my love, little flame . A powerful feeling of warmth spread through the bond and surrounded her, comforting her.

I love you, too . As she felt them pull away mentally, she inhaled deep and fortified her emotions, and her body then turned back to the two women waiting for her.

She offered a reassuring smile to Ladon when she passed him and headed back toward Tana and Anala.

“After such a long walk, I figured you needed something to refresh you.” Tana stood where she’d left her beside the clothing but now held a glass of water.

Kai could not help but grin. The woman was efficient and never idle. She was sure Tana had discovered a way to accomplish things even while she slept.

“Thank you. That’s just what I needed, Tana.” Kai took a healthy sip and quickly followed it up with a second one until the glass of water was more than half empty. She exhaled and felt so much better.

“While you were looking at some other clothing that you would perhaps like to come for later,” Anala began as she held up a garment, “I brought out the dress I was altering for you.”

“Oh, Anala, you didn’t need to do anything special for me.” Kai tilted her head and met the textile leader’s gaze. “I’ll be fine with one of the white tunic sets for tonight.”

Anala’s brow tightened, and she adamantly shook her head. “That will not do. When Aodh radioed that you were coming here and you would be offering the familial blessing on Drago, it was my honor to ensure you had something special.” She held the dress high between them.

Kai stared at the lovely dress; she’d never seen anything so breathtaking from where she came from.

Some of the Drahkelles wore elegant, flowing dresses as they went through their daily tasks or were in the Great Hall during evening meals, but Kai had never conceived she’d wear something so beautiful.

As she stepped closer, Tana took the glass from her, freeing Kai’s hands to touch the garment.

“Is this lace?” She reached toward the dress and lightly brushed her hand over the bodice, which had such intricate designs and stitching, as she trailed her fingers down over the soft layers of the skirt.

“It is. Adding a little here and there didn't take much time.” Anala swept the lower end over her arm and held it out for Kai to examine closer.

“This is too much,” Kai said, standing stunned, but she couldn’t help gliding her fingers over the delicate fabric.

“Nonsense.” Anala waved her comment away.

“If you look, you will see I’ve only done a little more than the standard embellishment.

My team and I have done similarly to dresses, tops, and hems of pants for the white clothing female Drahks will pick up for the ceremony.

If I went overboard, it would be because your role tonight is special. ”

Kai glanced up into the woman’s eyes. “If you’re sure.”

“I’d be honored to see you in it this night.”

“Your uncle will stand proud before the Great Spirit,” Tana assured her.

Feeling giddy for the first time that day, Kai nodded. “Thank you, Anala. Thank your team, who I know are working hard today.”

Anala gave a slight shrug and gestured to the wall rack of ceremonial apparel. “Not so much. Sadly, we are always prepared for such an event, even if it has been a while.”

“Well, you have helped me find a little strength and peace about what I must do tonight,” Kai shared honestly.

A small, pale-green flame flickered in Anala's eyes. “I’ll get this wrapped for you to take. One moment.”

While they waited, Tana chose a sheath-style dress with lace at the wrist, and Ladon held a folded white vest and cargo pants.

More Drahks came in, grabbed something, and left, offering Kai a nod or a smile as they went about their tasks.

“All ready to go now.” Anala came out carrying a neatly folded bundle of chiffon and lace held together with wide satin ribbons.

Tana passed Anala the glass, collected the dress before Kai could reach for it, and added it to the pile she carried.

Kai thanked the leader again before they headed out of the building.

Forty minutes later, they reached the Mckenna building.

“Go on up and get settled, and I’ll bring you something to eat before you rest.”

So exhausted, Kai didn’t even try to argue that she could get her food or consider eating in the hall below where Ladon went.

After hours of walking across the territory, she only had enough energy left to crawl into bed, but since she was pregnant, she knew it was essential to put something in her stomach first.

Nodding, Kai went up the stairs. A yawn overtook her as she pushed open the door to their suite with ease. She made her way to the closet to change out of her dusty clothes into a robe before she went to the bathroom to wash her hands and face.

She glanced in the mirror and felt like she had aged two years since leaving that morning with Aodh. A lot had changed for her, and she felt as if she had a better grasp of who she was now that she had met Drago and heard the story of her family’s origins.

Exiting the bathroom to sit in the chair next to the bed and wait for Tana, Kai thought about not only the words she would need to say that night but also how she would share the news with Morlie.

Tomorrow. She’d ask Aodh if she could radio her sister tomorrow.

It was Kai’s last thought before her eyes drifted closed.

Hours later, Kai was rested, fed, bathed, dressed, and finishing her hair.

“I see you are already ready to go. I wondered if I would need to heat your bathwater.”

Kai finished twirling the last curl of hair around her finger as she met the gaze of the pretty Drahkelle in the mirror and smiled. “No, after I woke from my nap and was eating, Tana prepared the water for me.”