All too soon her belly began to tighten and the urge to push took over. It felt like this went on for ages. Contraction after contraction. Rest followed by pushing, followed by more pushing. Her reserves were slowly depleting. Candy kept focusing on her baby boy. She could feel that things were progressing. She knew it wouldn’t be long. She needed to stay focused on the prize. Her son. It wouldn’t be long before they met him.

Focus on that, Candy.

“I see his head,” the she-dragon announced.

With renewed vigor, she gave an almighty push. She normally longed for the moments of rest. This time, when her contraction ended, it felt too soon.

The healer was smiling. “One or two more and he’ll be born.”

“Can you still see him?” Torrent asked. His eyes were wide with excitement. He glanced back down at her with such love, such pride.

The she-dragon shook her head. “It’s normal for the baby to move forwards and backwards once or twice before coming into the world. He is preparing himself.”

It took two more contractions before his head crowned. Candy could feel him there. She breathed in deeply and pushed like she’d never pushed before. Her nails dug into the back of her thighs.

“That’s it.” Torrent continued to whisper words of love and encouragement. She felt so much better with him there. There was something cool on her forehead. He was mopping her brow with a wet cloth.

She felt movement between her legs. The she-dragon was doing something. “His head is out.” Her voice was animated. “When the next one comes, you need to push with all you’ve got, he is about to be born, my queen. You are about to meet your son.”

Her heart raced. She made a laughing sobbing noise. Torrent put his forehead to hers, as he pulled back, she could see that his eyes were glinting. His jaw was tense. She realized that he was trying not to cry.

“I love you so much,” he murmured as he cupped her chin. He kissed her temple.

She couldn’t wait for her next contraction. Couldn’t wait to meet their little boy. It didn’t take long.

“Alright, my lady. This is it. Give it all you’ve got.” The she-dragon was focused between her legs.

Candy pushed like her life depended on it. It didn’t take much. She felt her son emerge from her body. The she-dragon caught him. Her face was filled with joy. Her eyes were bright. Though soon, the joy was replaced with a look of shock. Her eyes widened. She looked… distressed.

“What is it?” Candy struggled to sit up.

“It can’t be.” The healer was looking at her baby. Their baby. By the look on the other woman’s face, there was something wrong. Something very wrong.

“Is everything okay?” Torrent’s voice shook. “Answer me,” he growled.