Chapter 33

Octane

Three months later…

Trinity squeezes my hand tighter as she pushes with all of her might.

Her face is red, her hair is sticking to her neck and her brow, and her teeth are gritted tightly as she bears down.

"That's it. Nearly there… Keep going," the healer says, peering between Trinity's splayed thighs. "You are doing great."

Trinity gives a low groan that turns into a shout of joy as the little one is born in a gush of amniotic fluid.

"And you have a baby," the healer announces, a grin on her face. She checks on the little one, making sure that his nose and mouth are clear. In another few seconds, he starts crying. "A healthy baby boy." She beams.

"You did it." I lean in and kiss Trinity, who is smiling and crying. I realize that I am crying, too. I wipe my face and kiss her again. "I'm so proud of you."

It went really quickly. Trinity got out of bed this morning, and her waters broke. That was less than three hours ago. She looks exhausted.

"He's healthy. Good lungs. Congratulations to you both," the healer says, looking from Trinity to me and then back to her as she puts the baby on Trinity's bare chest.

"He's beautiful," Trinity whispers, clutching him to her as she bites on her bottom lip.

"And small," I say. "I didn't think he'd be this tiny." I lean in. We're both in awe.

Trinity laughs; her voice is a little husky. "Thank goodness he is, or I never would have been able to push him out," she says as the baby opens his eyes, squinting against the light.

I choke out a laugh. "He has your eyes…and your mouth. He's beautiful."

"He's going to have your heart," she tells me, tears still coursing down her face. "He's going to be gentle and kind, just like his father. Do you want to hold him, Daddy?"

Fuck!I'm crying again.

I nod, taking him from her and cradling him against my chest. "He's perfect," I tell her. "And you're so amazing, my love. I've never seen anything as brave as what you just did."

There is a knock at the door, and a lady walks in. She has gray hair and a no-nonsense approach. "Good morning, I'm Nala. I'm so sorry to interrupt. It's time to give your baby his markings, as is customary." She has a bag with her, which she opens and starts taking out instruments and ink pots, placing them on the table next to us.

I look at Trinity, and she nods.

I nod back. This is something we discussed, and we both agreed.

"Our son will not be getting the markings," I tell Nala.

The older woman drops one of the instruments onto the floor, turning to me with concern in her eyes. "What do you mean, he isn't going to get the markings?"

"We don't want him to have any markings." I shake my head.

She clutches her chest. "As in nothing at all? Not even the markings of Draig?"

"No markings at all," I tell her.

"Bare-chested. Completely bare?" She looks like she might faint at any moment.

"Are you okay? Can I get you a glass of water?" I ask her.

Nala shakes her head. "No, I am fine. I have to say that…I've never heard of this. No markings. No, I'm afraid that's not possible. It is customary for all infants to be marked as soon as possible after birth. He needs to be marked as a Red. It is my duty to do so and right now."

"We do not want our son to be marked. He will hopefully be the first of many children not to have a mark. There should not be a differentiation between Draigers and Reds. We are all the same…all equal. We don't want to label him. Thank you, Nala, but we won't be needing your services today."

"The king will hear of this," Nala pushes out, looking greatly upset.

"That's a good idea," I say. "I will tell him myself when he comes by later to meet the baby. I am sure he will approve."

Nala looks taken aback. She mutters to herself as she puts everything back in the bag and leaves.

Trinity and I exchange a knowing look, and then our focus is back on the baby.

Our son.

Red Dragon is on pre-order now.

This book takes place on Mistveil Island, where we will go back in time to when Octavia crash lands into the middle of the deep, dark jungle. She's behind enemy lines and doesn't believe in the existence of dragons. She's about to get the fright of her life, and then some…