The Dragon King’s Baby

“What?” Addie asked, her voice morose.

“So all the dragons lose their clothes when they shift, correct?” Jeanne paused to watch them nod. “So, I saw not only your husband’s well-endowed form, I saw Conall’s.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

Addie and Poppy howled with laughter, and Addie playfully slapped her thigh. “Don’t look at my husband!”

Jeanne gigged, her hand over her mouth. “I only briefly looked. I was much more interested in Conall. And let me tell you!” She held her hands apart several inches. “And that’s not even erect!”

The trio screamed with laughter. Poppy leaned over and said to Addie, “She has been talking non-stop about that man’s pe*is. It’s becoming an obsession.”

“A little obsession isn’t unhealthy,” Addie reasoned, a sly smile on her face. “I’ll do a little digging, see what he thinks about you.”

“Yes, please!” Jeanne said. She glanced down at Addie’s breakfast. “What’s with the uneaten pancakes? Those are your favorite.”

Addie said, “I freaked about the whole queen no matter what thing. Couldn’t finish.”

“Understandable,” Poppy said.

“I’m having lunch with the queen and her entourage to plan my Coronation,” Addie told them, rising to get ready. “You two need to come with me, so go get dressed.” Her friends had come up in comfortable clothes. “I need your support.”

“We’ll be back soon,” Jeanne told her before kissing her cheek and hurrying out. “What time?”

“By 11:30,” Addie called as she padded into the bathroom.

“Gotcha!” Poppy said as they closed the door.

*****

Two weeks later, the Coronation ceremony date had been set and invitations sent. In another week, Addie would be the official queen of Wyvern, whether she wanted to be or not. Her relationship with Seathan was continuing to grow stronger, and the beginnings of love had stirred in her heart. But she kept it to herself. She was afraid he didn’t feel the same and didn’t want to humiliate herself by sharing.

Their s*x life, however, was so hot she was sore almost every day because they had s*x almost every single night. She would soak in the tub the next morning before attending any meetings that required her presence. She felt more tired than normal, but she assumed it was because she was up so late enjoying the attentions of an insatiable man. And she was becoming equally insatiable as well.

One afternoon, Jeanne asked Addie for a tampon; she didn’t have time to go back downstairs before they went to meet with Vada, as the queen had insisted over and over Addie called her until she had acquiesced. Addie told her where they were, then mumbled to herself. She pulled out her calendar and calculated.

“What are you mumbling about?” Poppy asked her.

“I should have started my period three days ago,” Addie said quietly with very little emotion.

“Three days?” Poppy asked, her eyes widening.

“Three days for what?” Jeanne asked as she walked back into the room drying her hands on a towel. Poppy explained, and Jeanne stared at Addie. “But you’ve always been so regular. Are you sure?”

“I’m positive,” Addie replied. She picked up the phone and dialed Vada.

*****

“It’s all right, dear,” Vada soothed. “We have a doctor who lives here at the castle for random emergencies. I’ve already sent for him but didn’t tell him why.”

Addie nodded, her breathing uneven. “Thank you.” She took her mother-in-law’s hand. “Once I know for sure, I’ll tell Seathan.”

“Of course, dear,” Vada answered, patting her hand as a knock sounded at the door. “Come in.”

The doctor walked in and greeted the women, then turned to Addie. “What’s the trouble?”

“I think I’m pregnant,” Addie answered.

The doctor’s eyes twinkled. “Wonderful!” He wagged his finger at her and dug in his bag. “I thought that might be it! I brought a test up just in case.”

Addie laughed mirthlessly. “Great.” She took the box and walked into the bathroom to pee on the stick. After washing her hands, she sat on the edge of the table and read the box. Three minutes and she’d know the truth. Vada, Jeanne, and Poppy knocked and walked into the bathroom without waiting for a response.

“Three minutes,” she told them.

“We sent the doctor away. You’ll need to go by there and let him know one way or the other,” Vada said.

“Why did you send him away?”

“We weren’t sure how you’d react,” Poppy said gently.

Addie nodded. She glanced at the clock on the bathroom wall. One more minute and she’d know. “I’m scared because being pregnant is so huge and the baby isn’t human and my mom isn’t here.” Her voice had risen hysterically.

Jeanne put her hands on Addie’s shoulders and shook her just a little. “Addie! Calm down, now. You’re surrounded by friends, Seathan will be thrilled, and I’m sure he’ll have the best doctors here for you and the baby.”

Addie nodded. She remained where she was sitting for another two minutes, then stood. Her friends watched her walk to the cabinet where she’d left the test. She looked down at it, glanced at the box, looked at the stick again, and turned around.

“I’m pregnant.”