Lila
The castle’s grand ballroom sparkled under the warm afternoon light bursting through the tall crystalline windows.
Pink and blue streamers cascaded from the obsidian chandeliers like watercolor ribbons, while balloons in soft pastels bobbed against the vaulted ceiling.
Tables draped in ivory silk displayed an array of delicate confections—all waiting for the moment of revelation.
How did I get here?
The transformation still left her breathless sometimes.
She’d balanced her royal duties with establishing her own psychological practice here on Nova Aurora—Draven had insisted, recognizing her gift for healing wounded souls.
“Our kingdom needs your compassion,” he’d said with that commanding tone that she couldn’t resist. “And so does every other territory that hears of the Queen of Fire’s healing touch.”
Her Earth clients remained part of her life through remote sessions, bridging two worlds in ways she’d never imagined. The irony wasn’t lost on her—she’d come here to heal Draven’s fractured mind, only to discover her own soul had been incomplete until she found her place beside him.
“Your Majesty.” Nyra appeared at her elbow, balancing a tray of cupcakes decorated with tiny dragons. “The guests are getting restless. Gerri’s already asking when you’re going to ‘reveal the goods,’ as she so eloquently put it.”
Lila laughed, the sound bright with happiness. “Of course she is. Let me grab these desserts and we’ll get this party started properly.”
As she reached for the crystal platter, strong arms encircled her from behind. Draven’s familiar warmth pressed against her back, his hands settling possessively over her belly. Even now, after months of marriage and shared intimacy, his touch sent electricity racing through her body.
“My beautiful queen,” he murmured against her ear, his voice dropping to that rough timber that made her knees weak. “You’re supposed to be resting, not working.”
“I’m pregnant, not incapable.” She leaned back against his solid chest, savoring his strength. “Besides, I wanted everything perfect for our announcement.”
His hands tightened on her stomach, protective and possessive. “Everything is already perfect because you’re here. Our child, our kingdom, our life—it’s all because you chose this.”
Through their rock-solid mate bond, she felt the fierce pride radiating from him, mixed with that alpha possessiveness that never failed to make her pulse quicken.
Six months of marriage hadn’t dimmed his desire for her—if anything, pregnancy had intensified his protective instincts to a level that was both thrilling and occasionally overwhelming.
“Draven,” she breathed, feeling a heat pool in her body despite their guests waiting just beyond the doors.
He chuckled deep. “Later, my love. Right now, our family is waiting to discover whether they’re getting a prince or princess.”
Our family.
The words still made her heart skip. Her mother had extended her stay indefinitely, finally building the relationship they’d both craved.
Liam visited monthly with his wife, completely enchanted by his role as future uncle to dragon royalty.
Harper had even convinced her law firm to let her work remotely for extended periods, claiming she needed to “supervise Lila’s happily ever after. ”
“Come on, then.” Lila turned in his arms, rising to press a quick kiss to his lips. “Let’s go give them what they want.”
They entered the ballroom together, Draven’s hand possessively placed on her back.
Their guests erupted in cheers and applause—her mother beaming from the head table beside Liam, his wife, and Harper, Gerri practically vibrating with excitement, Lyric wearing his usual dignified smile, and several council members who’d become genuine friends over the months.
“Finally!” Gerri called out, her eyes flashing that distinctive gold. “I’ve been waiting for this moment since I first introduced you two.”
“Patience, Gerri,” Draven replied, though his tone held affection. “Some revelations are worth the anticipation.”
He guided Lila to the center of the room where an ornate box sat on a pedestal, wrapped in neutral silver paper. Inside lay the answer they’d all been waiting for—the results that would reveal their child’s gender.
Lila’s heart raced as Draven’s hands covered hers on the box. She could feel his excitement matching her own, tinged with that fierce protectiveness that had only grown stronger since learning of her pregnancy.
“Ready?” he asked softly, his golden eyes locked on hers.
She nodded, unable to speak past the emotion clogging her throat. The ballroom fell silent around them, anticipation thick as honey in the air.
Together, they lifted the lid.
Pink and blue balloons erupted from the box like confetti made of dreams, floating upward toward the vaulted ceiling in a cascade of pastel colors. Lila stared at the rising balloons, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing.
“Twins?” she whispered, her hand flying to her rounded belly.
The realization hit her like a gentle avalanche. All that kicking and turning, the way her body felt impossibly stretched, and how she’d grown larger than she’d expected even for dragon shifter babies. Two little lives had been growing inside her this entire time, wrestling for space and attention.
Tears poured down her cheeks as the magnitude of it crashed over her. “Six months pregnant with twins,” she breathed, wonder and joy mingling in her voice.
The crowd erupted in cheers, but Lila only focused on Draven’s face. His golden eyes blazed with pure masculine satisfaction, that alpha pride radiating from him in waves that made her pulse race despite her emotional state.
“My precious queen,” he whispered. “You’re carrying my heir and my little princess.”
Before she could say anything, her mother rushed forward with tears streaming down her face, followed by Liam, his wife, Harper, and Gerri. They surrounded her in a whirlwind of hugs and congratulations, everyone talking at once.
“Twins!” Harper squealed, bouncing on her toes. “Leave it to you to overachieve even at pregnancy.”
“I knew it,” Gerri announced with satisfaction, her eyes flashing gold.
Liam wrapped his arms around her carefully, his protective brother instincts warring with his excitement. “Two little dragons to spoil.”
Her mother’s hands fluttered over Lila’s belly with reverent wonder. “Oh, sweetheart, they’re so lucky to have you as their mother.”
Through the chaos of celebration, Draven’s strong arms finally reclaimed her, pulling her against his solid chest with possessive certainty. The crowd around them faded as he captured her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away her tears.
“I’m the happiest dragon in the universe,” he declared.
He kissed her then, passionate and claiming, right there in front of their family and friends. His lips moved against hers with the same fierce intensity he brought to everything—ruling his kingdom, protecting what was his, and loving her with every fiber of his being.
When they broke apart, she was breathless and dizzy with want despite her very public, very pregnant state.
“Sit down now,” he commanded, guiding her to the ornate chair that had been placed nearby. “You’ve had enough excitement for one day.”
“I’m fine,” she protested, but settled into the chair anyway. The truth was, the emotional revelation had left her feeling shaky and overwhelmed in the best possible way.
For the next several hours, she basked in the joy surrounding her.
The food was incredible—delicate pastries that melted on her tongue, savory treats that satisfied her pregnancy cravings, and that wonderful Sidaii wine for everyone except her.
Games and laughter filled the ballroom as her Earth family mingled seamlessly with her Nova Aurora friends and council members.
This is what happiness looks like, she thought, watching Draven command the room effortlessly while keeping one protective eye on her at all times. This is what I never dared dream I could have.
As the party wound down and their guests began to disperse, Draven appeared at her side. “Come with me,” he said, extending his hand with quiet authority.
She placed her fingers in his, letting him pull her to her feet and guide her through the castle’s corridors. The familiar weight of his palm against her back sent warmth spiraling through her body, that constant connection between them humming with contentment.
He led her to the castle gardens where she’d first taken a chance on their relationship months ago.
There, he helped her onto the stone bench overlooking the twin moons that now hung like pearls in the darkening sky.
The night air was warm and fragrant with the scent of blooming flowers, aurora lights dancing overhead in ribbons of green and gold.
“Six months ago, you told me you were willing to explore what we could be,” he said, settling beside her on the bench and pulling her close. “Now look at us.”
Lila leaned into his strength, marveling at the journey that had brought them to this moment. “I never imagined any of this when I first stepped onto Nova Aurora.”
“Two babies,” he murmured, his hand resting possessively over her belly. “Our son and daughter.”
She felt his overwhelming love and protectiveness radiating from him, the way his thoughts of their children already consumed him with the need to provide and defend.
“You’re going to be an incredible father,” she whispered, reaching up to trace the sharp line of his jaw.
“And you’re already the perfect mother.” He captured her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. “I love you beyond measure, Lila. You’ve given me everything I never knew I needed.”
“I love you too, Draven,” she replied, emotion thick in her voice. “More than I ever thought possible.”
He kissed her then under the twin moons, slow and deep and full of promise.
Against her lips, she felt him smile. “Our future is going to be filled with so much love, adventure, and happiness,” he murmured. “I can hardly wait to see what comes next.”