"Now, get up," Hana said, though her voice lacked its usual bite. "The sun is already high, and the others will be waiting with the food. We have a lot of work to do today."

Caspian let out a soft rumble of agreement and began to slowly pull away, reaching for the soft towels she had left on the rocks.

Hana watched him, her hand resting on her abdomen where the faint swell was warm.

She found herself thinking of the feeling of something ’eating’ inside her. This thing, this baby, it wasn’t normal.

Well, if it was going to be born in one month, it can’t exactly be normal. But she didn’t hate it. She found herself grinning.

"Did you have a good meal?" she muttered.

The slight swell of her stomach seemed to pulse in response, a soft, warm ripple under her palm that felt almost like a tiny nod of agreement.

It was a bizarre, surreal sensation, but instead of the cold dread she usually felt when the system threw its traps at her, a strange spark of satisfaction settled in her chest.

​If this kid was going to grow this fast, it had better be greedy. It had better take everything it needed to be strong.

​"Hana," Caspian called, his voice breaking her trail of thought.

He was standing on the mossy bank, his towering body fully dried already from his natural heat, but he was holding the white towel with a level of care that looked completely ridiculous on a dragon king.

"The towel... how do I use it on you?"

​Hana sat up slowly, feeling the soft dampness of the lake air on her skin. Her legs were a bit shaky, but her body felt lighter, the usual post-mating aches completely absent this time.

​"Just bring it here," she said, reaching her hand out.

​Caspian hurried over, his tail dragging behind him in the dirt. But he didn’t just hand it to her; he gently draped the plush fabric over her shoulders, wrapping her up like she was a fragile glass panel.

His large hands patted her arms through the towel, his touch so light he was barely pressing.

​"You are so small, Hana," he murmured, his golden eyes scanning her face to make sure she wasn’t hiding any pain. "I was... I was not too heavy?"

​"No, you were fine," Hana said, using the edge of the towel to wipe her face and neck. She stood up, wrapping the second towel around her body to dry off properly since Caspian apparently didn’t need it. "In fact, you did exactly what I asked. If you keep this up, I might actually let you in my own bed soon."

​Caspian’s golden eyes flared, his nostrils letting out a tiny, excited puff of smoke. "Soon? On your side of the soft grey bed?"

​"If you’re good," she replied, throwing him a dry look as she picked up her discarded dress. "But right now, we have to head back. Put your belt on. I don’t want the others seeing you looking like a pleased puppy."

​Caspian quickly grabbed his leather skirt, strapping it back around his waist with a broad grin. He looked completely smug, his chest puffed out so far it was a wonder he didn’t tip over.

Hana could already picture the look on Raiden’s face when they got back, and she silently prepared herself for the inevitable headache.

​As she finished dressing, she picked up her basket of toiletries and the damp towels.

​"Alright, let’s go," she said.

​Caspian stepped forward, scooping her into his arms with absolute ease. He pressed her close to his chest, his skin warm and comfortable against her.

Then, with a powerful leap, his massive wings snapped open, and they shot into the morning sky, leaving the quiet, sapphire lake behind.

​The wind rushed past, but Hana didn’t close her eyes this time. She kept them fixed on the horizon where the den sat.

When they got back, Raiden was the first to speak up.

"What took you so long, Hana?" He asked but then caught a whiff of the scent radiating around Hana.

His green eyes sparkled as he caught the very peculiar draconic scent.

"You two," he said, his grin lifting even higher, not pleased but thoroughly amused. "You didn’t just bathe, did you? Hana, I’m surprised. You actually let this scaly oversized lizard climb all over you first thing in the morning."

​Caspian didn’t even try to hide his smugness. He set Hana down on her feet with agonizing gentleness, letting his tail brush lightly against her leg before he stood tall, crossing his arms and looking down at the fox.

​"I did what a mate is supposed to do," Caspian rumbled, his chest puffed out so far his obsidian scales practically gleamed. "And she was very satisfied."

Here we go. Hana rolled her eyes, her hand brushing through her hair. They’re going to be at it for a while if I don’t break it up.

Raiden’s smile twitched, his nine tails puffing out slightly in irritation, but he quickly recovered, running his fingers through his hair and smoothing his hair back.

"Oh, please. It probably took you thirty minutes just to figure out how not to squash her with your massive tail." He scoffed and then glared at Caspian. "Don’t act like you’ve conquered a mountain, lizard."

​He then looked at Hana, his green eyes narrowing slightly as he noticed the faint, healthy glow on her skin and the way she was holding herself.

"Though... you do look different, Hana. Less like you want to murder us all."

"It’s because he was obedient," Hana said and Raiden started going on and on about how he could be obedient but she ignored him and turned her head to find Kulu standing near the fire, where a large, beautifully cleaned red-deer was already roasting on a spit.

He looked up as Hana approached, his amber eyes scanning her face before dropping to her thigh, where his own fresh red wing mark was still warm under her dress.

He didn’t say anything, but the subtle, protective shift in his posture showed he felt the shift in the den’s air. He could smell the dragon’s scent all over her, but it was fine. Yes, it was fine.

​"You caught a good one, Kulu," Hana said, looking at the sizzling meat. "Thank you."

​Kulu’s ears turned a slight shade of pink, but he bowed his head respectfully.

"It was the best one in the valley, Hana. I wanted to make sure you had enough strength for the work today."

​"Good," Hana said, taking a seat on one of the clean wooden crates near the fire. "Because once we’re done eating, we aren’t resting." She raised her head to look at the others. "Raiden, Caspian—gather around."

They walked over, while shoving themselves by the shoulder. Even if Raiden was shorter, he could not be intimidated.

Once they were all seated, Hana continued.

"We’re laying out the power grid today, and I need every single one of you to know exactly what your job is."

"Yes, Hana," they all echoed and Hana nodded.

"Good."