Loved by the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 6) Read online

  Sid nodded. “I will do everything I can.”

  With that, Bram exited the room. Fraser kissed Holly deeply, Evie was pretty sure it involved a lot of tongue, and then also left the room.

  Holly was the first to speak. “Right, then. I’m going to check your blood pressure again. The protein levels in your urine were high, so you’re at risk for preeclampsia. We’re going to have to keep a close eye on you.”

  Evie’s stomach dropped a little and she placed a hand over her belly. “Should I be worried?”

  Sid spoke up. “At the moment, everything is manageable. Truth be told, I’m more worried about elevated dragon-shifter hormones. As soon as Holly’s done checking your BP, we’ll draw some more blood.”

  Evie raised her brows. “What if both my blood pressure and dragon hormone levels are high? What happens then?”

  Sid answered, “Then we start administering drugs that won’t interact with the dragon-shifter hormones in your body.” She waved at Holly. “Holly is up on the latest research and together we can decide the best course of treatment.”

  Evie looked from Sid to Holly and back again. “That’s a lot of medical speak that tells me absolutely nothing. You’ve always been straightforward with me, Sid. Don’t start beating around the bush now.”

  Sid raised an eyebrow. “If you have both preeclampsia and elevated dragon hormones, your chances of dying in childbirth increases 10 percent. That gives you a 40 percent chance of surviving. I hate asking you to keep it from Bram, but it might be best. His overprotectiveness will cause you stress. That’s why I sent him downstairs.”

  Rubbing her belly, Evie nodded solemnly. “That’s all I wanted to know and I understand about Bram. He’s already convinced I’m going to die.”

  Holly squeezed Evie’s shoulder. “But we don’t know if you’re at higher risk yet. Let’s do the exam, take some blood, and I’ll help you to the toilet to collect another urine sample.”

  Not wanting to think about what could go wrong or how she could die soon, Evie jumped on the chance of a distraction. “I wasn’t expecting to need help to the toilet until I was old and wrinkly. I guess I should get used to a lack of modesty from here on out.”

  Holly grinned. “Having a bairn means tossing modesty to the wind. Better accept that now. Although you’ve been mated to a dragon-shifter for nearly a year, so I would think you’d be used to their casual nature about nudity.”

  Evie raised her brows. “Would your mate allow you to parade around naked?”

  “He’d probably try to kill anyone who saw me.”

  Evie nodded. “Exactly. Imagine a mate even more protective than yours, and that’s Bram. All hell would break loose.”

  Holly opened her mouth, but another contraction rolled across her abdomen. Evie closed her eyes and drew in a breath.

  Holly murmured breathing instructions and Evie forgot about everything else but trying to follow them.

  ~~~

  Bram paced the living room, clenching and unclenching his fingers as he went. How could Sid kick him out of the room? Bram had studied the delivery process both with Evie and on his own. He might not be a doctor, but his mate would need him when the time came.

  His beast spoke up. It’s not as if Evie is going to drop a baby in the next five minutes. Let Sid examine her and ensure our mate is okay. If there’s something wrong, then Sid needs time to try and fix it.

  Just because you’re right doesn’t mean I have to agree with you.

  Before his dragon could reply, Fraser MacKenzie’s voice filled the room. “Wearing a hole in the floor won’t help her, Bram. I tried that myself last month, and the only thing that helped my female was to take action when it was needed.”

  Bram glanced over at the tall, auburn-haired Scot. “I heard about your reckless rescue attempt. But answer me this—when you knew your mate could be hurting, did you calmly sit by and go about your business?”

  “Of course not. But I’m not a clan leader. You are. Expectations are higher for you.”

  He turned toward Fraser. “Finn might let you talk to him that way, but I’m not your cousin. Be careful, Fraser MacKenzie, or I’ll toss you off my land.”

  The bastard grinned. “Finn thought you might say that. And he said that if you ever want to step foot on Lochguard to see Arabella’s babies, then you’d better be nice to me. That includes not kicking me off your land, I might add.”

  Arabella was originally from Clan Stonefire and was the closest thing Bram had to a little sister. “I am going to kill Finlay Stewart one of these days.”

  Fraser shrugged. “You can try.”

  Bram walked up to the Scottish dragonman and narrowed his eyes. “Now is not the time to test me, lad. I earned the right to be clan leader with blood and sweat. You wouldn’t be much of a challenge.”

  Someone pounding on the front door prevented Fraser from answering. After glaring another two seconds at Fraser for good measure, Bram went to answer the door. His dragon sniffed. Someone’s looking for a fight.

  I know how to knock a male flat on his arse; it’s a tangible enemy. It gives me something to think about since I can’t fight any sort of pregnancy complications Evie might face.

  Try to be a little more positive. She is strong and stubborn. If she can handle us, she can handle anything.

  Bram ignored his dragon and opened the door to find Tristan and Melanie standing in the doorway. A quick peek told him they hadn’t brought their twins. “What the bloody hell are you two doing here?”

  Melanie poked him in the chest. “One of my dearest friends is about to have a baby. At least Sid thought to send me a text message.”

  Bram looked to Tristan and his friend shrugged one shoulder. “Mel wanted to come.”

  Since Tristan would do most anything for his mate, Bram looked back to Melanie. “You can come in, but only if you keep the Scottish bastard out of my hair.”

  As if on cue, Fraser appeared at Bram’s side with a grin. Looking to Melanie, he bowed. “My lady.”

  Tristan grunted and Melanie laughed before replying, “I’ve heard a lot about you from Arabella. It’s nice to meet you in person.”

  Fraser winked. “Likewise. It’s not every day you meet the famous human who changed some of the laws for dragon-shifters.”

  Melanie sighed. “A little. But there’s still a long way to go.”

  Tristan wrapped an arm around Melanie’s waist and pulled her close. With a scowl, he demanded, “Which twin are you?”

  Fraser studied Tristan a second and then answered, “I’m Fraser. And what Arabella’s told me so far hasn’t done you justice.”

  Tristan hugged Melanie closer. “And what the bloody hell has my sister been saying?”

  Shrugging, Fraser answered, “Oh, not much. Just that she used you as an example when describing the exact opposite of my family.”

  Melanie beat Tristan to the reply. “That’s why we should’ve gone to visit again, Tristan. Whether you like it or not, Finn is the father of your nieces or nephews. You need to show him the lovely man you’ve become, especially since the last time you saw him, you all but challenged him to a fight.”

  Bram growled and stepped between everyone. “On second thought, Mel and Tristan, take Fraser out of my cottage and keep him preoccupied. I can’t take much more of this.”

  Fraser’s grin faded and something fierce flashed in the dragonman’s blue eyes. “I’m not leaving my mate alone. It’s dangerous enough that Holly left Lochguard at all. I won’t risk someone trying to take her from me again.”

  Bram’s respect for Fraser raised a notch. “Nothing will happen to her whilst I’m here, I promise. She is a guest and if she helps Evie, I will be in her debt.”

  Fraser crossed his arms over his chest. “If I leave, so does Holly.”

  Mel interjected, “Just let him stay. Fraser can help me make some tea.” She looked up at Tristan. “You can release me at any time, Tristan.” Her mate grunted and she merely waited.

&n
bsp; With a sigh, Tristan released his mate. “Fine. But if he so much as touches you, I will kick his arse.”

  Fraser opened his mouth to reply, but Bram stepped between the two. “Enough. Tristan, I need to talk to you alone. Let Mel make some tea. Fraser isn’t about to betray his true mate. His dragon won’t let him.”

  Just as Tristan muttered, “Fine,” Melanie walked up to Fraser and motioned toward the kitchen. “Come with me, Fraser. I want to hear all about your mating ceremony. Holly mentioned a few details, but I want to hear it from your side of things. After that, you can help me watch baby Murray.”

  Fraser’s jaw unclenched. “I’m sure I can’t top what my lass already told you, but I can never tell that story enough. The room was decorated with silver fabric...”

  Mel winked at Bram. “We’ll be back soon. Then Tristan, Fraser and I can watch Murray while you focus on Evie.”

  Bram didn’t want to admit it, but Melanie was right. As much as he didn’t trust Fraser, Melanie and Tristan would protect wee Murray with their lives.

  He nodded. Mel and Fraser left the room.

  The second they were alone, Bram let his collected exterior down. “Tristan, how did you do it? Evie’s nowhere near birthing our child and both my nerves and dragon are frazzled.”

  Tristan remained quiet for a second before replying, “She’ll need you and you do what you can.”

  Bram raised an eyebrow. “You can pretend to be a distant arsehole with everyone else, but it won’t work with me, Tristan. Stop pretending and just tell me the truth. I’m your oldest friend. I deserve that much.”

  “Honestly? You’re going to feel as if someone is ripping out your heart. The few seconds Melanie’s heart stopped beating were the longest and worst of my life. But I never gave up hope. Because the second you do, she’ll feel it and might give it up as well.”

  Bram clapped his friend’s shoulder. “Then I won’t let Evie down.” He motioned with his head toward the living room. “I don’t usually drink alcohol, but I think I need some right about now.”

  As they walked into the living room, Bram took comfort from Tristan’s presence. If Tristan and Melanie could survive birthing two babies, then Evie would be fine with one. Even if he had to perform CPR himself, he wouldn’t allow Evie to die.

  His dragon spoke up. I’m glad you finally agree with what I’ve been saying the whole time.

  Sometimes, dragon, a person needs to hear it from a second source as well.

  His beast huffed. If you merely listen to me next time from the start, then it will save time. Remember that.

  As his dragon retreated to the back of his mind, Bram took out a bottle of whiskey and poured two glasses. Just as he clinked glasses with Tristan, Evie screamed. Every iota of his being urged him to rush upstairs, but he didn’t want to interrupt Sid and Holly, or he’d face Sid’s wrath.

  Tossing back his drink, Bram hated the fact he wasn’t able to control the situation.

  Chapter Four

  Sixteen hours later, Evie’s upper body was strapped to a hospital bed in Sid’s surgery and Bram wasn’t sure how much longer he could handle his beautiful mate contained and in so much pain.

  Labor was bad enough, but Dr. Sid had put Evie on a magnesium sulfate IV drip several hours ago and ever since, his mate had trouble focusing and complained of feeling as if she was floating slightly out of her body.

  Except for when a contraction hit. Then every straining muscle and stab of pain brought her screaming back.

  Bram wiped her forehead with a damp cloth and murmured, “You’re nearly there, love.”

  When all Evie did was sigh, Bram’s heart squeezed. What he wouldn’t give for her to have the strength to argue with him. If only he could do something—anything—to help ease his mate’s discomfort.

  Sid’s authoritative voice filled the room. “The induction medication has nearly done its job, Evie. Let’s get the baby out so we can get your blood pressure back under control.”

  Bram growled. “You need to work on your bedside manner, Sid.”

  All Evie could do was squeeze Bram’s hand in hers. “No, I prefer the truth.”

  Bram’s face softened and he kissed her forehead. “I just want you out of those straps and back in my arms, love.”

  Sid jumped in. “And she will be once the baby is out and Evie’s vitals are within normal levels again.”

  Bram ignored the doctor and focused on his mate. His dragon spoke up. I think the baby is ready to come out.

  How do you know? You’re not a bloody psychic.

  I sense our baby’s dragon. It’s impatient.

  Even though a dragon-shifter’s dragon half couldn’t communicate with them until six or seven years old, even a baby sensed their other half lurking in the back of his or her mind. Dragons couldn’t talk with one another, but sometimes they did sense each other’s moods. To be honest, I’m impatient too.

  Evie clenched his hand tightly and he focused back on his mate as she whispered, “Another one is coming.”

  Holly moved next to the vitals monitor. “Her blood pressure is stable but not going down, Dr. Sid. Please tell me she’s fully dilated.

  Sid glanced at the monitor. A second later, she moved back between Evie’s legs and then looked up. “Evie, you’re fully dilated. For this contraction, push with everything you have.” Sid glanced to Holly. “Be on standby.”

  Holly nodded. Bram sensed they weren’t telling him everything that could happen, but he didn’t want to scare Evie. Instead, he kissed her cheek and whispered, “You’re strong, Evie Marshall. You took on a dragonman and captured his heart. You bloody well better not let a little high blood pressure take you down.”

  She answered through gritted teeth, “I’ll keep that in minnnnn—aaahhhhh.”

  Evie screamed as her contraction hit.

  Sid’s voice was full of dominance as she ordered, “Push, Evie. Now.”

  Evie dug her nails into Bram’s hand as she pushed. Given that her upper body was strapped to the bed in case she went into convulsions, it couldn’t be easy.

  Pushing aside his worry, he thought of love, strength, and the minute he could hug both Evie and their new baby close. He would remain positive even if it killed him.

  Sid’s voice rose over Evie’s screaming. “You’re doing well, Evie. When your contraction ends, I want you to stop pushing and rest.”

  Bram held his breath, hoping each second would bring the end of the latest contraction and relieve Evie’s pain. Her screams would haunt him for the rest of his life. How any male went through this more than once, Bram had no bloody idea.

  Evie went quiet and slumped onto the bed as if all of her energy had been sapped from her body. Careful to keep his worry from his voice, Bram murmured, “You did brilliantly, Evie. You really did.”

  Despite the exhaustion in her eyes and posture, Evie answered, “Nothing bloody happened. The baby isn’t out yet.”

  He placed a hand on her forehead and strummed his thumb back and forth. “She just wants to make a grand entrance. She is a clan leader’s daughter after all.”

  “It could be a boy, Bram.”

  “We could bet and then I can claim a prize later.”

  Evie’s eyes drooped and then opened again. “I can’t believe you’re suggesting a bet when I can barely stay awake.”

  He grinned. “You’re the one who didn’t want to be coddled.”

  Holly’s voice prevented Evie from replying. “Dr. Sid, you might want to see this.”

  Bram glanced up and the two females put their heads together in front of the vitals monitor. Bram’s dragon spoke up. I don’t like it. Something’s wrong. Demand to know what it is.

  And upset Evie? We can’t do anything that might elevate her blood pressure. You know that.

  His beast growled. I hate not being able to do anything.

  I agree, although I don’t plan on earning a medical degree, if you’re thinking of suggesting it.

  Sid turned toward
them, her face neutral. “Evie, if we can’t get at least the head out on this next push, it could be dangerous to both you and the baby’s health. I need you to make this next contraction count. Can you do that?”

  Evie’s voice was faint as she answered, “Yes, I’ll try. But please tell me what’s wrong, Sid. I want to be prepared.”

  Sid answered, “While the medication is keeping your blood pressure stable, the level of dragon-shifter hormones in your body has spiked. If they rise much further, your blood pressure could shoot through the roof and send you into convulsions. But,” Sid emphasized, “if we can get the baby out, I can start a course of treatment and everything should turn out fine. So draw on every bit of strength you possess and push on the next contraction. Understand?”

  Evie nodded. “Yes.”

  As Sid turned to Holly and gave an order to bring another nurse, Bram stilled his thumb on Evie’s forehead and his mate looked at him. Bram kept his voice soft, yet firm. “I order you not to push the baby out.”

  The corner of Evie’s mouth ticked up. “You know I never follow any order you throw my way.”

  “Exactly.”

  Evie laughed and Bram’s worry eased a fraction. His human was strong, stubborn, and a fighter. She would make it through the birth. She had to. He wouldn’t accept anything less than a happy ending for his mate.

  ~~~

  Evie debated keeping her eyes open to stare at Bram’s loving face, but her exhaustion won out and they closed.

  She was so bloody tired. Not only that, the magnesium sulfate was making her woozy and it was difficult to concentrate. If meeting her new baby wasn’t incentive enough, getting off the damn medication and regaining her wits was another reason to get the baby out as soon as possible.

  While Evie was trying to be strong, she wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep pushing. If she were birthing a human baby, she could have drugs and a cesarean section. Unfortunately, both were out because of the baby being half dragon-shifter.