Page 30

My lips parted. Words were there—I knew they were—and yet nothing exited my mouth. Instead, I simply shook my head and turned my attention back to the eggs.

The violet egg caught up soon enough as a chunk of shell fell off. The appendage that exited had a leathery wing attached.

Seconds ticked by, fading into minutes as the three of us stood or crouched beside the burning coals, waiting for Vidia’s young to fully exit their shells. Lazarus was right. Each milestone was accompanied by a period of rest before the little one inside increased their efforts.

Time was inconsequential and before I knew it, the whole side of the turquoise wyvern’s shell cracked and fell to the side, a tiny bundle following suit and rolling through the hot coals.

I gasped, ready to burn my flesh as I reached in to scoop them out. Lazarus’s hand on my arm stopped me from making a painful mistake.

“They’re fine. The heat is good for them,” Lazarus reassured with an oddly dopey grin etched on his face. While he looked silly, the smile was also endearing.

I was so taken with Lazarus that I nearly missed the tiny wyvern scrabbling over the coals as it made its way to its sibling. The little thing started pecking at the violet shell. Its leathery, aqua wings flapped as its claws scratched at the shell. Tail flicking back and forth, sharp trills exited its mouth as it called to its sibling.

“That’s cute as hell,” Henry said, expressing my own opinion.

“Is that typical?” I asked.

“I’m honestly not certain,” Lazarus answered. “I will need to speak with Thalia later and ask.”

Whether it was typical or not, Henry was right, and it was cute as hell. Soon enough, between the turquoise wyvern and the violet one working together, the second wyvern fell out of its shell, toppling onto the first as they rolled across the coals.

I could have smacked myself for not thinking of grabbing my phone and recording the hatching.

As if reading my mind, Henry said, “The others are gonna be so jealous that they missed this.”

I wondered if I shouldn’t have let them know but quickly decided I’d made the right decision. While I loved my council family, this moment felt too private, as if it weren’t meant to be shared by the group.

The violet one lay on top of its sibling, both resting within the coals, their colors mixing as their limbs tangled together. It was so difficult, remaining where I was and not reaching out. I desperately wanted to grab them and cuddle them to my chest. I’d been caring for them in their egg form for so long that I wanted to touch them in the flesh.

Stretching forward, Lazarus extended a taloned finger, gently nudging the little violet wyvern. Seemingly annoyed, it screeched. I might not understand wyvern, but I thought the little tyke made their irritation very clear.

Lazarus just chuckled. “Spicey lady, just like your mother.” The last was said with a tinge of sadness. Placing my palm on Lazarus’s shoulder, I squeezed my fingers, offering my support.

“So, it’s a girl?” Henry asked, leaning in a little closer, head tilted to the side. “I can’t see all the important bits given their position.” Twisting so much Henry’s head was almost lying on the hearth, Henry said, “I’m not even certain wyvern have the same bits as the rest of us.” As if to emphasize his point, Henry cupped his genitals and made some type of groping movement.

Embarrassed heat sped up my neck, flushing my cheeks as I sputtered for a comment that seemed just out of reach.

If Lazarus was offended by Henry’s crude gesture, he didn’t show it. “Our sexual anatomy is similar enough. They are both female. It is very rare to have female twins.” Pride sang through Lazarus’s voice. “Females are highly revered in wyvern culture. I cannot wait to inform Thalia.”

I’d never heard so much joy in Lazarus’s voice. Wiggling his finger, Lazarus nudged the violet one. “Come on, little one. Climb on and come say hello.”

My eyes widened in amazement and my cheeks ached with the grin that seemed plastered on my face. Wings spread wide, the violet wyvern tentatively climbed onto Lazarus’s finger, crawling up his hand. It wasn’t long before the turquoise one followed her sister’s lead. Both flapped their wings, steadying themselves as Lazarus pulled his hand away from the hot coals.

“They’re stunning,” I said, voice little more than an awed whisper. The embers shed enough light to highlight their individual shades, their scales shimmering like the jewels they were.

“That they are,” Lazarus agreed.

Despite the wondrous moment, worry ate at my mind. “But…are they healthy? Alethia passed and none of us knew of their existence. Alethia’s fireplace went cold with disuse, and they were left there for⁠—”

“Hush, Keir.” Lazarus leaned over and pressed his lips to my temple. “They appear to be very healthy.”

“Oh, that’s…” It was just about the best news I could have gotten.

Flapping her wings with greater intensity, the turquoise wyvern launched herself from Lazarus’s hand and threw herself at my chest. Tiny claws pierced my shirt as I found myself staring down at a small creature that very much looked like a tiny, brilliantly colored pterodactyl. Unlike dragons, whose wings arose from their back and weren’t connected to their arms, wyvern wings ran the length of their front limbs, ending at the wrist.

Mouth opening, she let loose a small cry. I could barely make out a row of sharp little teeth filling her maw.

“Hot damn!” Henry scrabbled up my arm, clinging to the fabric as he leaned over to get a closer look. “What are ya waitin’ on, Keir? She’s tryin’ to get your attention.”