When Kai started passing the security guard, she recalled something else about the Drahkelle.As she glanced at the female standing with her large sword strapped to her back, Kai took a moment to listen.She wasn’t sure if she was doing it right, especially with so many Drahks gathered.Still, since the only one in dragon form was her deceased uncle, any other females were closer to the age of the Wise One council, and she didn’t feel as if she’d mistake anything she picked up from them.She just had to ensure she filtered out Aodh’s thoughts.However, it wasn’t until then that she realized she couldn’t hear her mate’s thoughts.
Her brows pinched as she tried to recall the last time she’d heard him speaking to her, which he enjoyed doing when they were together.However, she realized that besides his beast’s mental communication with her, Aodh had been relatively silent since her uncle’s passing.
She didn’t concern herself with it, figuring he’d mentally set the wall between them to give her space to deal with her rioting emotions.He had the Thunder’s business to oversee.
Aodh had told her that all Drahks were connected, and during the short time of her pregnancy, she’d learned to block most of the dragon chatter out.
Trying to discover what had pulled at her senses, Kai concentrated.She refocused so that she listened more with her mind than her ears.She inhaled and exhaled a few times to calm her overwrought heart thumping in her ears.Then she heard the most delicate sound: a heartbeat, tiny and fragile like a hatchling.Then she heard the chirping, the sound dragons made when they were content and joyful.
She bit her lip to lock down the gasp threatening to spring out of her mouth.
Even as her heart was filled with despair, something pure and blissful came with the sound of little ones caused by their innocence, and she felt it now—not only because she heard it coming from the female guard but also because it was multiplied by two, hers and another’s.
Kai placed a hand on her belly as she slipped her other hand from Aodh’s and approached the security.Standing before the stoic female, the soft, fragile sound became just a fraction louder.Their hatchlings were communicating.It was the first time Kai had heard her little one.
Aine’s gaze met her own.Both viewed each other through a watery haze.
She recognized that while one being was leaving the world, two others would soon arrive.This may not be the best time, but Kai couldn’t allow the moment to pass.So, she moved closer to Aine and whispered, “Congratulations on your hatchling.”
The guard's mouth turned up at the corners, her gaze luminous.“Thank you, Aguya.My mate and I are happy.”
Resisting the urge to embrace the pregnant shifter because Drahks eschewed physical touch unless it came from family, Kai kept her hands linked to her swelling midriff.“Any days you have off from your position, you are granted permission to visit with me.”
A blush tinted the tall, muscular Drahkelle’s cheeks.“Expect me soon.”
Kai returned to Aodh’s side as a line of people began to file through the closet, clutching large empty burlap totes and moving toward the hoard room.She frowned, wondering what was going on.
Sensing her nearness, Aodh wrapped his arm around her and pressed his hand into the fullness of her hip.His fingers flexed briefly, and she knew he must feel her complex emotions as if questioning if she was all right.
Kai leaned into him.I’m well, mate.Don’t worry.
She didn’t let her thoughts linger, ensuring she didn’t crowd him.
Aodh’s fingers relaxed.
She could not wait until they were alone to speak with him about what had happened.He was now in Mckenna mode, and she needed to allow him his mental space to manage his people.
“Is everything in place?”Aodh asked Doryu when he pulled away from the others gathered.
“Yes, Mckenna.After the archiving, the preparation team will enter and notify the escorts when Drago is ready.
“Sounds as if you have everything organized here, Doryu.”
The older female rolled her shoulders back.“We knew it would be soon and set things up.Drago served the Thunder.We will support you in honoring him in all ways.”
“Then I will allow you to tend to the things you need to.”Aodh pulled her close as he let Doryu pass.
When Keahl arrived, they headed out of the home.Beyond the older tactical director's broad shoulders, Kai spotted a line of people standing outside with jars filled with various things, cloths, and buckets of water.
“As you can see,” Keahl gestured to the line of the Drahks waiting to go in.
“The more hands we have, the faster things can be handled,” Aodh commented.“Who’s managing the ceremony prep?”
“Idalia has organized her grower team to gather the wood to construct the altar.I will fly to the center to provide assistance and meet the healer.”
Kai knew that Eilidh was training with the growers and wondered if she would be a part of the ones on the task.Now that Morlie was gone, Kai rarely saw her mate’s younger sister.
“And the escorts?”Aodh glanced away from Keahl briefly as his mother, Tana, and another older Drahkelle stepped out of the line and approached them.
