Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“Ah yes—they told you a child that grew with unnatural speed could be conceived—I understand. Drago told me all about it.” Commander Sylvan nodded. “But I don’t think you need to worry—the test would show any abnormalities—we would have gotten a full printout of any problems, not just a flower. Besides, it’s been months since the two of you went on your mission to Crimson Moon and according to the size of this flower, you haven’t been pregnant for long.” He nodded at the little pink bud Addison was still cupping carefully in her hand.
“Oh, all right.” Addison nodded gratefully as her anxiety eased. “Thank you, Commander Sylvan.”
“You’re welcome, Addison.” He smiled at her. “It’s early yet, but all indications are that you’re going to have a healthy pregnancy and a beautiful baby girl.”
“Thank you!” Addie’s eyes were suddenly stinging and she had to sniff back tears. “I don’t know why I’m crying—I was just so scared when I missed my period! Scared of having an instant pregnancy and a ‘Choosing Child,’ I mean.”
“You don’t have to worry about that, baby.” Drago put an arm around her shoulders and drew her close. “The Goddess has blessed us—we can trust her to watch over the new little life inside you.”
“What about the life inside you?” Addie asked him, giving her Mate a watery smile. She turned to Commander Sylvan. “How long can I safely keep flying with Drago’s Drake? I hate to stop right away—he looks forward to our dates so much.”
Ever since she and Drago had Bonded, they had been going off to nearby uninhabited worlds where he could let his Drake out safely. Drago had made a special harness and saddle for the huge creature to wear and now Addie could ride securely on the Drake’s back. She loved soaring through the sky and knew she would miss it terribly if she couldn’t do it anymore.
Also, the Drake really did love his time with her. Drago was mostly conscious now when his other half came out, but her new Mate considerately took a back seat and let her spend time with his Drake when they flew. They didn’t talk much during the flights—mostly they communicated with emotions. Addie loved feeling wrapped in the powerful creature’s love and protectiveness almost as much as she loved the sensation of flying high in the sky on his back.
Commander Sylvan chuckled at her anxious question.
“Well, the three of you certainly have a unique relationship! I think it should be safe for you to fly up until the fourth quadmester.”
“The fourth quadmester…right.” Addison wrinkled her nose. She had almost forgotten that a Kindred pregnancy took an entire year—not just nine months. “By that time I probably won’t even feel like walking—let alone flying.”
“You’ll be fine,” Drago told her. “If you feel like it, we can still go someplace so the two of you can spend time together. Even if you can’t go flying on his back, I know my Drake will enjoy being with you.” He grinned “Especially if you give him ‘skritches.’”
Addie laughed. “Yes, he loves his skritches! All right, we should be okay then.”
Commander Sylvan shook his head, but he was smiling as he did so.
"Well, if you don't have any more questions, I'm going to prescribe you some prenatal vitamins and let you go. I know you probably have some shopping to do for the new baby."
“Oh, I can’t wait to set up a nursery!” Addison exclaimed. “But actually, there is one more thing. I wanted to know if you’ve heard anything else from Crimson Moon?”
Commander Sylvan looked somber.
“As I understand it, they went through a period of deep civil and social unrest after the two of you left.”
“Not fucking surprising,” Drago growled. “I mean, I’m sure we probably destabilized their society when my Drake killed their Goddess.”
"Yes, you did but actually, from the reports I've had, many of the Vargans were glad when Sheelash was killed," Sylvan said. "Apparently the 'Low Born,' who had no 'Sheelash White' in their hair, were being treated as second-class citizens. Now that there is no possibility of anyone having another 'Choosing Child' with that particular color hair, they are becoming a more equal and equitable society."
"Well that's good," Addison said thoughtfully. "It makes me wish I could visit and do a follow-up to the paper I wrote on them."
“Oh, no!” Drago gave her a dark look. “I don’t think so, baby—we are never going back there! Especially not now that you’re pregnant.”
Addie gave him a frown, but she wasn’t really upset.
“Well, I can see you’re going to be even more protective now that I’ve got a bun in the oven.”
“Not just me—my Drake is going crazy at the idea of you going back to ‘Spider Planet’ as he calls it. Here—listen.”
He opened the mental door between herself and the Drake and Addie heard a worried sounding roaring. Then the deep, rough voice of Drago’s Drake came through loud and clear.