Dragons Wear Pink
Devin
Roarke's dad did freak out when we told him about the twins, but not as much as his father when we showed him the caste marks.
He fainted when he saw the gold scale next to the red one.
I thought nothing could shock the immense man to the point of fainting.
Since then, Alister had been almost as bad as Roarke in making sure that I was okay and well fed.
Those two didn't want me lifting hand or foot, especially as my stomach swelled.
It had been nearly two and a half months since the council meeting, and we were finally making our way back home to Walden, with a stop in Belle Fort. We had stayed in Glenfinnan to help reorganize the council.
Lord Hanson had died at Krispin's jaws for his betrayal, and Lord Donavon had been removed from the council for his complacency.
He had stood by and done nothing during the attack.
He didn't even shift. Ultimately, Donavon begged for his life, and the only reason Krispin hadn’t killed him was that there had already been more than enough death.
All told, ten dragons had died that day.
Krispin was fully in charge, and all dragons now knew the king had returned.
He and Roarke had worked side by side in ensuring new representation, and that the right people were put on the council.
The Green caste still had no place on the council.
Krispin adamantly refused to even consider it.
The wound of his brother's betrayal was still deep.
They had worked out a system where the Green caste could bring grievances before the council but would have no representative.
"I brought you a plate of food," Roarke said, handing me a mountain of meat. My eyes rounded at the sheer amount. He had jammed two burgers, a New York strip, three hotdogs, smoked sausage, and potato salad all onto one plate. Where the heck does he think I'll put it all? I thought.
"These wolves sure know how to put on a barbecue. There is a ton of grilled meat," he said with glee.
We were in Belle Fort, dropping off Cam and Jackson before heading home. The pack Alpha wanted to honor the Dragon King. The paranormal world now knew of the dragons' return, and most wanted to set up good relations with Krispin and the council. Dragons were at the top of the food chain, after all.
“Thanks, beloved, but I have to ask—where am I going to put this all?”
"Don't worry. I'll help you finish it," Roarke said with a grin and a lick of his lips.
I laughed at his antics. A sharp pain pierced my belly. Dropping the plate in my hands, I let out a quiet scream.
"Devin!" Roarke yelled as I clutched my abdomen.
I didn't know what was happening; the pain was greater than any I had ever felt. It was sharp and deep; it took all that I had to concentrate. Shouting and movement swirled all around me as I tried to manage the pain. Roarke scooped me in his arms and ran up the stairs, following the Alpha wolf.
"It's going to be alright, love. It's going to be alright," Roarke repeated. "Where the fuck is Addison?" he bellowed.
"H-hurts, Roarke," I said through clenched teeth.
“I know, baby. It will be okay, don't worry.” Roarke tried to soothe me, even though he had a twinge of worry in his voice.
Addison rushed into the room and tried to touch my stomach; Roarke snarled at his brother. Roarke's eyes had started to glow, and red scales appeared on his arms. His dragon was close to the surface.
"Easy, brother, I need to see what is going on. I mean no harm to your Cardia," Addison said in a soft tone, trying to ease his brother's dragon.
I grabbed Roarke's arm and turned his attention to me. He nodded, and Addison lifted my shirt as another shot of pain ripped through me; I tensed and called out in another breathless scream.
"Breathe, Devin, it's time. The mark is opening. Your sons want to make an appearance. Breathe," Addison said calmly.
How the hell could he be so calm? I felt like I was dying. Ben was right. This was some fucked up magic, and it hurt like a son of a bitch. Why couldn’t the magic make it painless, damn it? I took a deep breath.
"Roarke, the mark is almost fully open. You're going to need to grab your sons," Addison said firmly.
I didn't know if I could take much more.
I felt pressure as Roarke moved his hands into my belly.
He pulled out a little bundle. A light red glow surrounded the baby, and he had a shock of fire-engine red hair.
The sound of a smack and then a baby's cry shrilled through the air.
I cried as another wave of pain hit me. His brother wanted out.
“You need to deliver the other one, Roarke,” Addison said, holding out his hands to his brother. Roarke placed our firstborn in his brother's hands, who quickly cleaned him and wrapped him in a blanket.
“It’s okay, Cardia. It will be over in a moment,” Roarke said softly.
I felt the pressure of Roarke's hands again as he pulled out our other child. I tried to look, but a blinding light shot across my abdomen. Immediately the pain was gone. I looked again, and the mark had disappeared, and my midsection went back to how it had been before I’d gotten pregnant.
Amazing, I thought.
I quickly looked for my babies. Roarke had a stunned look on his face, as did his brother.
"What's wrong?" I asked in a panic. Was something wrong with my sons?
"I-it's a girl," he said, astonished.
I blinked a few times. A girl? How was that possible?
'A girl? B-but I thought… I thought dragons were only ever male," I stuttered, reaching for her.
Roarke laid her in my arms. She had light brown hair with splashes of blond, a tiny little nose, rosy cheeks, and golden-green eyes. She was beautiful, and for the first time in my long life, I fell in love with a girl.
"They are, but she's a girl, and she's a dragon of the Gold caste," Roarke said, still staring in astonishment.
"And this big boy is a dragon of the Red caste," Addison said, placing my son in Roarke's arms.
I looked at Roarke, and I saw the love shining in his eyes.
I love you, my Cardia, he whispered through our bond.
I love you too, my beloved, I replied. I know we decided on Ronan and Reade for names. We can still use Ronan for our little girl.
I think that's perfect, Roarke responded.
"If you don't get out of my way, you giant lizard, no sex for a month!" I heard Ben yell from the other side of the door. "That's my best friend in there. I need to make sure he's okay."
I laughed and turned to Addison.
"You’d better let him in. I think the Dragon King will be grumpy if he doesn't have sex for a month."
Addison nodded and bolted to the door, opening it to allow Ben and Krispin to swoop in.
“Oh my gosh, they're here!" Ben exclaimed, rushing to my side. He stilled, looking at the bundle in my arms. I knew what he was thinking.
"I'd like you to meet our son, Reade," I said, lifting my hand, pointing to the babe in Roarke's arms. Krispin smiled widely. Ben was like a statue, still looking at the baby in my arms.
I smiled. "And this…this is our daughter, Ronan."
"Daughter?" Krispin said in shock.
"You had a little girl," Ben whispered.
"Yes, daughter. She is Ronan MacNair of the Golden caste, and he is Reade MacNair of the Red caste," Roarke said with pride.
He lifted his head and let loose a thunderous roar, causing a tremor through the house. Krispin smiled and Addison grinned.
"I have to go tell everyone," Addison said with a squeal and ran out the door. The room was quiet as I looked at my best friend. Ben still had a look of astonishment.
"We're going to have to learn about girls. And get pink," Ben said with trepidation.
We all laughed. I couldn't be happier.
Thank you for being patient with me, my dragon. Thank you for helping me to live without fear. Most of all, thank you for loving me. I said to Roarke through our bond.
He smiled, leaned down, and gently kissed my head. I felt his love flow into me.
“I love you,” he whispered.