Chapter 61: Chapter Sixty-One

Daegal.

The horse beneath me was steady but slow. There was something in the way that he trotted that screamed hesitance. It wasn’t the same horse from days before. The one that saw the ground split beneath him. Which told me he sensed something off. He sensed the threat right now.

Stetson pleaded that he come with me in case something similar happened again. “It’s still so quiet,” Stetson said, looking out at the forest. “I don’t hear not one animal or insect.”

I’d gathered the same sense of quiet. It meant something when even the insects were afraid to come out. If only we had somewhere to hide like the insects but we were walking targets for evil reincarnate.

We stopped near the split in the ground and I looked down into the shadowy crack. There wasn’t much to see other than rocks and the inside of the dirt. It wasn't split enough to see what truly waited for us below.

I imagined it was something we didn’t want to see at the bottom of it.

Something Kelli had conjured up for me. For the kingdom, she wanted to rule.

I cleared my throat and stroked my horse’s mane. “All the women and children as in the bunkers?’ I asked again.

Stetson sighed heavily. “Since the last time you asked me five minutes ago? Yeah, they are.”

“My dragon is on edge,” I mumbled. “My apologies. I don't mean to question you. Something feels off.”

Stetson snorted and slicked his palm back over his ebony-colored hair. “Yeah, we’re being stalked by an evil witch and your bride is about to give birth. I would say there is a lot 'off' these days.”

“Don’t be a smartass,” I laughed.

He chuckled, looked back into the crack once more, and pushed his horse up the hill. I followed behind him, glancing back at the crack once more. I swore I saw a billow of smoke rise from it, but then again, I wasn't thinking clearly at the moment.

We got to the top when I heard dragon wings nearing.

A pain shot into my stomach and I caught myself on my horse. Stetson looked over at me with a worried expression. “What’s the matter? Are you hurt?"

“Poppy’s been having contractions and I feel them on occasion …”

I flung myself forward again, listening to the heavy thump of Poppy’s heartbeat from the castle. The nearing dragon wings stalled and two dragons dropped down in front of us. It was the dragons in charge of getting the nursery together for Poppy. What had happened? Why had they stopped?

“What’s the matter? Have you finished already?” I asked.

The female dragon smiled at me. “Poppy is in labor.”

In labor? Now? My own heart began to beat uncontrollably and I tightened my fingers around the reigns. She was having our baby? I opened my mouth but nothing came out of it. It was happening now.

Stetson cleared his throat, knocking me out of my daze.

“I’ll be right there,” I said, glancing at Stetson. “Could you stay and keep an eye on the crack until I give you a signal.”

“Of course,” he said, slapping my shoulder. “Go be there for your Queen.”

Excitement and nerves fluttered through me. I kicked my horse’s sides and he flew toward the castle. I felt Poppy’s unease and panic that I wasn’t there.

I felt as if I couldn’t get there quickly enough.

We were bringing a baby into this world. Right now. He was coming.

Poppy’s scream broke through the silence of the forest and slithered down my spine. I hated to hear it, but on the other hand, it thrilled me that Jeremiah was almost here.

I jumped from my horse’s back. Two dragons caught him and began to take him toward the barn while I barreled up the stairs.

My feet couldn’t get me there quick enough. I pushed open the cracked door and ran into the room.

Poppy was on the bed, her legs bent and spread open with Rachel bent down in front of her.

Melinda stood on one side of Poppy, holding her hand while Selena paced back and forth in the room. She was nervous about something and for some reason, I didn't think it was the birth.

Poppy’s gaze settled on mine and another contraction ripped through her body. I watched her body shake and shiver from it as Selena stepped toward me.

I didn’t understand her unease until she said, “Kelli was here before she went into labor. She broke the protection spell on the door. As soon as Poppy gives birth to the baby, I will put a protection spell over him and redo Poppy’s. She wasn’t able to physically touch Poppy.”

I wasn’t here to help her. I walked around Selena, my gaze dropping to Poppy spread out for the room to see. The baby’s head was crowning. Despite the overwhelming sense of pride at the miracle happening in front of me, I cringed at the sight. I was a dragon but I was male nonetheless.

I took the spot on the other side of Poppy and bent down beside her.

She grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly. Sweat poured from her head, and I pushed her hair from her forehead. “Breathe, Ember. Breathe—,”

She screamed again, tightening my hand until I thought she might break it. “There you go, Poppy. Almost there, Girl. Almost.”

Poppy groaned in frustration and sat back against her pillow, staring at the vaulted ceiling. “I can't do this," she mumbled. "I can't."

"You can," I encouraged which earned me a heated look that I ignored.

"She’s going to hurt him,” she whispered. “She’s going to take him.”

I leaned over and pressed my forehead against hers. “She’s not taking anyone, Poppy. Just breathe. Focus on me.”

Rachel looked up at Poppy. “One more time, Poppy. We’re almost there. Baby Boy is almost here.”

Poppy cried and pushed one more time, a scream ripped from her mouth and filled the room.

“He’s here,” Rachel said, pulling the baby from Poppy.

I dared to look down at the screaming baby and felt an overwhelming feeling of pride. Of love. Rachel brought him around to Poppy and I watched as love formed on her face. She pressed her cheek against his face and the crying subsided.

“My baby,” she whispered softly.

Rachel pulled him away for a moment. “I’m going to clean him off while Melinda cleans you up. We’ll be right back. Dad, do you want to help?”

I let go of Poppy’s hand and followed Rachel into the bathroom. She began to clean him off and weigh him on a small scale she’d brought up from the infirmary.

“Eight pounds and seven ounces,” she said. “A big healthy baby,” she mumbled. I watched in shock as she cleaned him, clothed him, and wrapped him in a swaddle. “Here you go, Dad. Bring him to Poppy.”

I cradled the baby in my arms. He was so tiny and precious. I ran my fingers against his face and watched as he searched for a nipple. I laughed as a stray tear fell down my cheek.

Poppy was sitting up when I walked inside, her eyes on mine and a soft smile on her face. She reached for Jeremiah and I handed him to her.

“He’s perfect,” I said, bending down to kiss her cheek when the castle jerked.

I caught myself on the bed around Poppy and looked up at Selena. A loud cracking sound echoed around us, and I felt the ground beneath us move again.

Selena walked over. “I need to put a protection spell over you again,” she mumbled.

Poppy’s dark eyes met mine. “Don’t let her hurt us,” she whispered.

“She won’t touch either of you,” I said, glancing over my shoulder at the opened window. “She’s coming. No one leaves this room for any reason.”

I stalked toward the door when I heard Poppy say, “I love you.”

“I love you, Little Ember. I’ll be back, I promise.”