Hormonal?
Roarke
Imade my way up the stairs in search of Devin.
I could feel his anger flowing through our bond, and I needed to get to him.
As I ascended, I thought of what my father had done.
I still couldn't believe he would try to arrange a mating just so I'd stay closer to the circle. It made little sense. I knew my da was going to be pissed. He might be the one worrying about me and wanting me close to home, but he would want me happy. He’d always wanted me happy.
I entered our room and saw Devin pacing in front of the window, muttering to himself. I couldn't tell what he was saying, but I didn't think it was very flattering to my father.
"Devin, love, it's going to be okay. I'm not going anywhere, and no one is going to take me away from you," I said, walking up to him and wrapping him in my arms.
“I can’t lose you, Roarke. I just came to terms with everything, and the very next day it’s threatened,” he said, emotion filling his voice.
“I’m not going anywhere, Devin. I’m yours. No one—not my father, not my brothers—no one is going to take me from you,” I vowed.
I felt his anger and rage leave him instantly. He sighed and just hugged me back.
"I don't know what came over me. Never in my life have I been so enraged, and I've been pretty pissed in my over three hundred years," he mumbled into my chest.
"I was furious too. Perhaps it was the combination of both of us being angry and the anger flowing through our bond," I said.
A thought popped in my head. I immediately attempted to block it from Devin, but I knew I was unsuccessful by his stiffening in my arms.
"I am not hormonal!" he growled, smacking my chest.
"I didn't say you were hormonal. It was just a passing thought that maybe the pregnancy could also cause you to be so angry. Nothing about being hormonal," I blurted.
He sighed. "Maybe you're right. Maybe it's the bond, or maybe it's the pregnancy, but the fact remains your brothers are lucky they’re still breathing. I know your one brother was going to say something stupid."
"Yes, Aaran definitely looked like he was going to say something dumb. He was always closest to my father. With him being older and of the Red caste too, my father always looked on him as his successor. That meant my father could do no wrong in Aaran's eyes," I explained.
"Well, I can tell you. Your father has done something wrong, stupid even. What are we going to do?" he asked.
I thought about it for a moment before responding.
"I think we should take a trip to Scotland. My da will be happy for me and will be thrilled to meet you. This way, we can get the meeting the parents out of the way and deal with my father's stupidity."
"Ugh. I was going to say to just call your parents, but I think you may be right. This is something best done in person. Also, you still need to tell them about your new lineage," Devin said.
We stood there for a moment in silence, each of us thinking about the course of events.
Devin abruptly pulled away and rushed to the bathroom.
I followed him, hearing the retching. I entered the room to see him tossing his cookies and clinging to the porcelain god.
I took a washcloth and ran it under some warm water, wringing the excess out before kneeling beside Devin.
I gently wiped the back of his neck. He turned and looked at me.
"I guess morning sickness has begun, ugh," he groaned.
"I'm sorry, love. The good news is that it should go quickly. Remember Ben? It only lasted a few weeks for him," I said as I continued to care for my mate.
While I was wiping his neck, I froze. It couldn't be, I thought as I quickly lifted Devin's shirt entirely. Devin stared at me, asking without words what was wrong. I looked at him full on and tears filled my eyes. The caste markings had appeared.
"We're going to have twins," I said, full of emotion.
His eyes rounded, and his mouth dropped.
He glanced down to see what I was seeing.
There above his belly button were two scales, one red and one gold.
The caste markings told what caste the dragon was going to be.
Each caste had a different affinity. The Red caste had fire affinity, and the Gold caste was the ruling affinity and held all other affinities that dragons had.
One of my sons was in line for the throne.
"No, no, no. I can't have twins! It could just mean that our son is just like you, Red with some Gold. You know, a mix," he said, hoping that I'd agree with him.
"It means you're having twins. My dad told me about how he found out about my brothers when three caste marks appeared," I explained softly.
"Damn, I forgot you had multiples in your family. I should have been prepared for you to knock me up with more than one kid," he quipped.
I smiled at him. "It's not just my family. Most dragons have multiples," I said. "Dragon births are very rare. I'm over eight hundred years old, and I'm the youngest of my family and circle," I continued.
"Here, help me up, and you can explain why that is in bed," Devin said, holding out his hand.
I immediately grasped his hand and helped him to his feet. We walked to our bed, and he lay down while I sat by his side.
"Dragons can only be born through fated mates.
Chosen bondmates won't produce a dragon.
With that said, it's challenging for a dragon to find its mate.
Look at Krispin; he's over five thousand and just found Ben six months ago," I said, pausing for a moment.
"Another reason it’s common to give birth to multiples is the mating heat usually only happens when first bonding.
It rarely happens again. My parents were shocked when the mating heat hit again, and they got me. "
"Wow, so it's weirder that Ben only had one rather than more than one? Huh?" he asked.
I nodded. “Yes, but that can also be because he birthed the next king. So, they could end up having another heat."
Devin looked thoughtful for a moment before speaking. "One mark is Gold. That means he would be in line to rule, right?"
“Yes, it would, but only if something happened to Krispin and Callum and any other Goldens that Ben and Krispin have.”
"We’d better make sure nothing happens to them. I want our sons to be and do whatever they want." Devin said firmly.
I nodded my agreement. The thought of leadership curdled my stomach. I wanted a simple life, just me, my mate, and my children. I lay down behind Devin, grimacing slightly as the dull ache in my stomach surfaced, reminding me I was still healing from the stabbing. Devin turned and looked at me.
"You're hurting." He said it as a statement, not asking a question.
I nodded. "It will be okay. I just need a bit more time before the wound is well and truly healed," I said as I pulled him close.
He mumbled, "You’d better be careful."
We lay in silence, and my brain would not shut off. I noticed Devin's breathing change, and I matched his. Finally, my mind stopped running, and I shut my eyes and fell asleep.