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“Good.” Bram slowly released her hand and stood up. “I’ll be right back.”
Evie muttered some choice words about caveman dragon-shifters, but Bram ignored them as he raced down the stairs and
opened the front door. Dr. Cassidy Jackson, better known as Dr. Sid, stood in the doorway with a medical bag in her hand. She made a shooing motion with her free hand. “Yes, I’ll help her. And no, I can’t perform miracles. Just get out of the way, Bram.”
With anyone else, he would frown and maybe growl. However, Sid was one of the few he trusted with not only his life but also the lives of his clan members. Stepping aside, Sid rushed past. Bram followed. “Evie’s had another possible contraction. Her screams are killing me, Sid. Find a way to help her.”
Sid tossed over her shoulder. “I’m not a human doctor, but I’ll see what I can do until help arrives.”
“Help? What help? You didn’t clear it with me earlier.”
“I don’t have to, as you bloody well know. Medical issues are completely left up to me. Besides, I asked a favor of your best friend up in Scotland. Help should be coming.”
Bram growled. “Finlay Stewart isn’t my best friend. What did you ask for?”
“They have a human woman there named Holly MacKenzie. She used to be a midwife with the NHS before mating one of the Scottish dragon-shifters. Her mate and a few of Clan Lochguard’s Protectors are flying her down so she can help me with Evie.”
Bram had heard of the details from both Melanie Hall-MacLeod and Finn about the human sacrifice. “Holly MacKenzie had better know what the bloody hell she’s doing.”
Sid met his eyes for a second and raised her brows before turning back around and walking into Bram and Evie’s room.
Knowing Sid, that was all the answer he was going to get.
His dragon spoke up. Sid has never steered us wrong before. Besides, she has authority over even you when it comes to medical issues in Stonefire.
Now Finn will lord it over me the next time we talk.
Does it matter if it helps our mate?
His beast’s words put everything into perspective. You’re far calmer than me in all of this.
Someone has to be. Besides, I would do anything for Evie.
His dragon fell quiet. Bram kneeled on the opposite side of the bed from Sid and took Evie’s hand. His mate smiled at him and whether she knew it or not, the action gave him strength.
Content to stare into his mate’s eyes and hold her hand, the pair of them remained silent until Sid finished her preliminary examination. Sid placed her hands on her hips. “It’s possible you’re in labor, Evie, although we need to wait a little longer since your water hasn’t broken yet. But I’m a little concerned about the swelling. Bram also mentioned over the phone that a headache came on suddenly. Is there anything else I should know?”
Evie answered, “My vision has also started to blur a bit, but it could just be because I’m tired.”
Sid nodded. “Possibly. Or, it could be preeclampsia. Since dragon-shifter females don’t get preeclampsia, I’ll wait for Holly’s opinion before starting any treatments.”
Bram frowned. “Treatments? Just what the bloody hell is preeclampsia?”
Sid’s expression remained neutral, irritating Bram further. Just how the hell could she remain so calm?
Sid replied, “Something we can manage if caught in time. I just need to watch Evie’s blood pressure and check her urine. If it turns out Evie has it, I’ll give her some magnesium sulfate.”
Bram growled, but Evie squeezed his hand and he met his mate’s eyes. “Yelling at Sid isn’t going to help anything. It might even push my blood pressure higher. Right now, I need your strength, Bram. Will you lend it to me?”
His expression relaxed and he kissed the back of Evie’s hand. “Anything for you, love. Anything at all. Just ask.”
Evie’s face relaxed a fraction. “Then lay next to me and hold me in your arms. Your touch always helps to erase my stress.”
Bram looked to Sid and the dragonwoman nodded. “Evie needs a little rest. Later, you might need to help her walk around the room to help speed up the process.” Sid picked up her medical bag. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Holly should be here before much longer and I want to fill her in on everything. If you two need anything, I have my mobile phone in my pocket. I’ll also send along a nurse to keep watch and test Evie’s urine for proteins.”
Evie murmured, “Thanks, Sid,” and the doctor exited the room.
Lying next to Evie’s back, Bram engulfed his mate in his arms and breathed in her scent. “We don’t know when another contraction will come, love, so doze as much as you can. I’ll watch over you.”
