A thousand conflicting thoughts shot through Cage’s mind.
He and Azy were both naked.
Who was this woman?
Was she a threat?
Didn’t he know her from somewhere?
He’d meant to growl the questions, but they stopped in his throat. The fear and anger rolling around inside calmed as if it were nothing more than a warm summer breeze.
Azy touched his cheek drawing his attention back to her. “Cage, meet Senora Boh. She’s a midwife…for magical beings.”
Huh. “I didn’t even know that was a thing.”
“Let’s see how you’re doing today, mamacita.” She motioned for Azy to lie on the bed. Then a gentle wind lifted the sheets and pillows, arranging them so Azy was covered and somehow Cage’s pants ended up in his hand, so he put them on.
“You’re a wind witch?” He should have guessed that a magic midwife would have some powers over the elements herself.
She ignored him, which was fine since her focus was entirely on Azy and his babies. The witch measured Azy’s belly by moving her hands from finger to thumb and counted. “No wonder you’re exhausted, these babies are growing like weeds. Adorable little weeds. But it’s tiring them out too.”
She pressed her ear to a couple of spots and listened through the sheet. “Aw, there you are, little man. Now, move your bum off your mama’s bladder. She needs her rest.”
A visible bump moved under Azy’s skin and she sighed in relief. If she hadn’t, Cage would have been freaked the hell out by that sight.
“Good boy. You two take care of each other in there.” That same soft white light emanated from the witch’s hands and seeped under the sheet. “There. I’ve given them a touch of magic to help them sleep in a little while. It will give you two a chance to do some bonding.”
Bonding sounded good. He’d do whatever the midwife-witch told them too if it would help his new family.
She stood and summoned a large cupped leaf on a vine over to Azy and filled it with a stream of water out of thin air. “Make sure you’re staying well hydrated, mermaid. The water isn’t just for you, your babies like it too.”
As Azy drank the witch turned her attention to Cage. “They would also like to go flying.”
“They would?” Talking to unborn babies must be a midwife thing.
“Yes, and anything you can do to make them happy, healthy, and strong will help.” She waved him to the bed next to Azy and Cage sat as instructed.
“I’m not going to sugar this up for the two of you. It’s been several hundred years since we’ve had a dragon son born, and decades since a dragon and a mermaid have mated. Your two little ones have taken up the challenge and are growing at more than twice the rate they should be. That’s making for a difficult pregnancy, and it’s only going to get tougher.”
Azy took Cage’s hand. He swallowed, shoving his own fears down. She was the one bearing the stress for the last month, worrying and growing the babies. The least he could do was pretend he wasn’t scared shitless by the tone of the midwife’s speech. “What can I do to make it easier for her?”
Senora Boh tipped her head and smiled at him. “Anything and everything to make your bond stronger. I suggest starting with a lot of sex.”
Cage coughed and Azy had to pat him on the back. “Sex?”
The midwife had a definite twinkle of mirth in her eye. “Yep. Preferably in your elements. Good thing you moved your Wyr to the beach. Plenty of water, sun, and a lovely breeze here, don’t you think?”
Cage lifted Azy’s hand to his lips. It was no hardship on him to make love to his luscious mate, but he’d thought she wouldn’t be in the mood. He’d been prepared to sacrifice and have blue balls for the next several months.
Azy had said she wanted him earlier but had also put him off. He slid one hand into her long curls, loving the touch of her, wanting to touch more. But only if she was up for it. He didn’t want to hurt her. “Are you okay with this plan?”
Azy laughed and snuggled into him. “Dude. Why do you think I sent the message that you needed to come home ASAP? I had every intention of jumping your bones no matter what Senora Boh said after the appointment this morning.”
Fuck, yeah.
“That is my cue to leave. But, Azynsa, you need to be connected to more than just your mate. I know you haven’t always been able to make friends, but I want you to reach out to the other dragons’ mates. Your happiness and well-being are the best thing you can do for your children.”
“Uh. Okay, will do.” The scent of untruth floated right out of Azy’s mouth.
