“It’s close,” I whispered. I wasn’t sure if I was talking about the birth or something else entirely.
“Veskor will go inside. I will go with him to guide him.”
Kaida caught up to us then, hair plastered against her face. She shot an annoyed glance at Nasi. “Sorry, not as fast as all of you. Been feeling off lately.”
She shook her head and moved to take one of my hands.
Nerissa gave Canavar a kiss. “We will be back.”
Canavar’s lips thinned and he nodded. We watched as Veskor and Nerissa disappeared into the lava tube, which connected into the center of the volcano.
Another wave of fiery pain ripped through my abdomen.
Kaida clutched my hand. “Breathe, Wren. Breathe through it.”
I did. Barely.
“How long will this take?” I cried out, unable to imagine how much longer I’d have to bear it.
“When the contraction hits, tell yourself you can bear anything for ten seconds. And repeat that thought until it stops,” Enya ordered me.
It seemed reasonable. Ten seconds. Icoulddo anything for ten seconds.
The contraction faded, leaving me panting. Kaida and Enya helped settle me against a tree, Canavar and Nasi guarding us. The ground kept rumbling under me.
“Outside in the open is the best place,” Enya grumbled.
I nodded, sweat rolling down my temple.
I prayed this wouldn’t take long.
Either way, I’d just been ready to settle in to wage my own war when a small voice cut through the island’s discontent.
“VESKOR! Veskor! Where did you go?”
I stiffened as Perri raced through the jungle, fast as a bird, darting between trees and undergrowth.
“Perri! No!” I cried out. Nasi and Canavar tried to catch her, but she was too quick.
“Don’t you dare go in there!” Enya yelled, but it was too late, and a mistake. Telling Perri exactly wherenotto go was the one thing to ensure it was precisely where she went next.
Canavar swore, and raced after her into the tunnel.
“Nasi, stay here in case we need to carry Wren somewhere!” Kaida chastised him.
Enya stood. “I’ll go with him. Stay here. It will be a while yet until she’s ready.”
Before I could argue, she ran into the lava tubes after everyone else, awfully spry for a draken of her age.
As another contraction ripped through me and the island, I closed my eyes.
Please, please let everything turn out all right.
***END TRIGGER WARNING***
Chapter Thirty
VESKOR
