The Dragon King’s Baby

Before she could reply, the announcer’s voice called their names. “King Seathan and Queen Adelaide.”

“Oh my god, I’m a queen,” Addie mumbled, her eyes still wide.

“Yes, you are,” Seathan said as he escorted her into the room.

The crowd was already standing, and the applause was thunderous. The people stood around tables, clapping and calling encouraging statements to them as they passed. Addie waved and smiled as they made their way to the front of the room where they would share a table with the other members of royalty (Addie’s parents, King Eckhart, and Queen Helene). Addie hoped she would be near her mother.

When they reached the dais on which the table sat, Seathan helped her up the steps. She turned to face the crowd and smiled brightly at them. Slowly, the applause quieted although everyone remained standing. Addie cleared her throat.

“Welcome, guests! It is my honor to have you in my home. Thank you for joining us this evening.” She looked at Seathan, who smiled. “My husband, King Seathan.”

“Thank you, my queen,” Seathan said, and Addie blushed. She liked the title, even if she was afraid of what it meant. He lifted her arm and called, “Ladies and gentlemen, Queen Adelaide.” More applause. “My wife and I would like to take this opportunity, while you’re all here, to make an announcement.” Murmurs in the crowd; some were making assumptions. “Queen Adelaide will honor me by giving birth to my child in one month’s time.”

Deafening cheers erupted through the hall; people clapped and yelled. There hadn’t been a baby prince or princess since Seathan had been born. The kingdom was ready to celebrate a baby.

Seathan and Addie smiled and waved before turning to walk to their seats. After reaching their seats, Seathan yelled, “Let’s eat!” Laughter erupted at his informal announcement, but soon everyone was enjoying a scrumptious meal and gossiping at each table.

*****

Eckhart sat at his end of the table, seated at the far end away from the happy couple who were in the center. Helene was his closest companion, but she had been in deep conversation with Claire for several minutes. He eavesdropped on their conversation, and his irritation shifted to anger as he realized that Helene was actually happy for the pair.

A child meant that the alliance between the humans and the dragon shifters was permanent, whether the marriage between Seathan and Addie lasted or not. That child solidified everything. Eckhart believed this was a dangerous development, specifically for his kingdom. The wizards and dragon shifters were natural enemies; he had wanted the alliance with the humans so his kingdom would be safe from the dragons.

When Helene returned to her meal, Eckhart seized the opportunity and leaned towards her. “Helene, this is terrible news.”

She looked at him, her gray eyes questioning. “What is terrible news?”

“This child.” Eckhart sometimes believed this woman was an idiot, but then most weres were. “The child solidifies the alliance. This could be very dangerous for us.”

Helene tilted her head as she listened, her face a passive mask. “How is this dangerous, Eckhart? We are not at war nor will we be any time soon.”

Eckhart shook his head. “Do you not pay attention to the report I’ve sent over?”

“You mean the reports about the dragons gathering weapons? Those are false. Your spy, whoever he or she is, is not good at their job,” Helene answered.

Eckhart glared at her. “Don’t let your friendship with that dragon shifter cloud your mind, Helene. They are dangerous.”

Helene, tired of his rant, leaned toward him and whispered quietly, “Eckhart, whatever caused this hatred you have for dragon shifters is clouding your judgment. You don’t see what’s in front of you.” She turned away from him and struck up a conversation with Claire so she didn’t have to speak to him.

Eckhart rose from his seat suddenly, capturing the attention of everyone at the main table. “Seathan, Adelaide, please accept my apologies. I must take my leave.”

Seathan rose as well. “Eckhart, the party has only just begun. What could be so pressing that you would leave during my wife’s coronation celebration?” The insult to Seathan and Adelaide had been implied.

“Business,” Eckhart answered curtly. “Congratulations. I’ll see myself out.” Eckhart turned and walked briskly from the room.

Seathan watched him leave. He caught the eyes of a security personnel and indicated with a nod of his head that Eckhart was to be followed until he left the castle. The man left with two other security personnel following him. He looked at Helene, who was frowning deeply. He leaned over and kissed Addie, reassuring her that everything was fine, that Eckhart was an ass and nothing to worry about, which elicited a relieved laughter from her.

“I’m going to sit with Helene for a moment,” he told her as he kissed her gently on the lips.

“Lucky,” Addie teased, and he winked at her as he rose and walked down the table to take the vacated seat next to her.

“What is going on with Eckhart?”

Helene smiled at him. “You’ve never been one to beat around the bush, Seathan. You say what you mean. A trait I admire after dealing with a man so secretive I’m pretty sure he forgets what he knows.”

Seathan returned her smile. “What has he forgotten?”

“He has forgotten that the kingdoms haven’t been at war in decades. He fears this alliance you’ve created and sees it as a threat to his kingdom. The baby only added to his paranoia.”

“Paranoia? What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that Eckhart is losing his mind,” Helene told him. “I have spies hiding among his people who listen. He has done things over the last year or so that are worrisome, such as locking away his daughter, son-in-law, and their child. He thinks the couple are planning a coup, which is ridiculous.”

“A coup?” Seathan murmured. “You’re sure he’s just paranoid? There’s nothing there?”

“Seathan, the son-in-law is a were. He couldn’t be king of Hexe even if he wanted it. I’ve received letters from him. He wants out, and he wants to bring his wife and child with him. He’s afraid Eckhart will kill all three of them.”

Seathan listened to the report, concern growing in his mind. He looked at Helene. “What is your position on your alliance with him?”

Helene sighed. “I won’t break it, for now. However, if I continue to get these reports, I’ll have to take action.”

“Are you going to get his daughter and her family out?”

“I can’t right now. When I asked about them, he said he had put them in the tower to keep them safe. For now, I think they are, but he’s becoming more unpredictable.”

Seathan nodded. “If you don’t mind, keep me updated. I do not want his paranoia to end in tragedy. Even more, I don’t want him starting a war.”

“Agreed.”