Wings Horns and Shifters

by Lacey Carter Andersen

  Azure turns his tortured eyes onto me. “Do you really believe that?”

  I reach across the table and grip his shoulder in an iron tight grasp. “I swear it to you.”

  To my relief, he nods and begins to eat again.

  I look to Frost. His expression of gratitude reminds me yet again that I must do better. Fire dragons are bad tempered creatures; I cannot expect a water dragon and an ice dragon to tolerate me for long.

  Finishing my food, I swallow down a glass of wine and stand. “Good luck to you, brothers.”

  They say nothing, but I feel their gazes on my back as I jump out of the window and shift into my dragon form. I don’t bother to blast my fire. Instead, I switch directions and begin to circle the woods for the millionth time.

  And there, in the freedom of the sky, with the rain lightly drizzling on my back, I allow myself to be honest in a way I can’t with my brothers. Tori may very well be dead. The wizards didn’t need to kill us to ensure dragons would soon no longer exist. Taking her from us means our kind will die out.

  There is no future for us.

  What the mages couldn’t have known is that they also took something worse from us. Tori, the stubborn thief, stole our hearts. We didn’t just lose our future and our hope for children, we lost our present. Living without young we could endure, but living without her?

  We are lost.

  So, we must hold onto the hope that she still lives. It’s the only way we’ll ever have happiness again.

  Chapter Three

  TORI

  My claws drip with blood as I finally stumble out of the mages’ hiding place. I’m surprised that on the surface the exit of their stronghold looks like nothing more than a hole in the ground. No wonder they’ve stayed hidden for so long.

  Damn mages!

  The rain falls onto my trembling body, and I look down to see rivers of blood washing down my chest and arms. Every man who crossed my path died today. And I have a feeling there will be more death to come.

  Yet, I can’t feel bad. These men planned to steal my babies. They deserved death.

  Gritting my teeth, I pitch forward away from their hideout. I do my best to run as a massive pregnant woman, but I’m pretty sure I’m not moving all that fast.

  My belly and sides ache. My legs tremble. But I won’t stop. I can’t stop, or we’re doomed.

  Moving through the woods without the ability to directly see under my feet turns out to be harder than I imagined. I fall more times than I can count, cutting my knees and hands. And as hard as it is to get myself back up, I do.

  I know tears are mixing with the rain as one hour after another ticks away. My weak body feels on the verge of collapsing, but I know by now the mages are on my tail. Slowing means being recaptured. So I can’t slow.

  And then, the pain in my belly grows worse. It shoots from my back to my stomach, and this time I hit my knees. On all fours, I bite back a scream of pain as I ride out the horrible flash of pain.

  When at last it ends, I fall onto my side in the wet leaves, breathing hard. I have to get back up. I have to! But it takes me far too long to climb to my knees, and I need to grip the trunk of a tree to get to my feet.

  I start moving again. But I’m not running, or even walking fast now, I’m walking with feet that drag and a head that spins.

  Not more than a couple minutes pass before the pain comes again. I’m immediately brought to my knees. And this time, despite how hard I fight it, a scream tears from my lips.

  I sob as my fingers dig into the ground. The horrible pain seems to go on without end. And then, when I’m sure I can’t survive another moment, it finally leaves.

  Again I collapse. This time, I’m not sure I can rise.

  As if they know my thoughts, my belly moves.

  Looking up at the afternoon sky, grey and covered in clouds. I touch my belly and imagine the babies that must grow there.

  I want to sleep. To have some relief from the pain. But I can’t. They’re counting on me. And right now, one human woman is all that stands between them and becoming slaves to evil mages.

  Gritting my teeth, I roll onto my side and struggle into a sitting position again. Standing takes even longer, but I manage it.

  Over the course of the next few hours, I move slower, and the time between my pains grows shorter. When the next episode occurs, reality finally hits me. Am I going into labor?

  Fuck.

  I stare down at my belly, and I know. I’m sure of it now. These babies are coming tonight. Soon.

  As I climb numbly to my feet, I can’t believe my luck. I have no idea what direction I’m moving in. I don’t know if I’m going closer or further from my dragons.

  Yet, it’s tonight that the babies have chosen to come. How do I do this? How do I keep them safe?

  My head feels light as I keep going forward. Will I really have these babies alone in the woods? I don’t know a lot about the birthing process. Just the tips I’ve dragged out of the midwife.

  Can I do this? Can I keep them safe from the mages and have them safely?

  On the horizon, I suddenly spot something that makes me freeze. Standing and staring, as if in a dream, I see the sun’s afternoon rays bounce against the scales of a red dragon.

  Phoenix!

  Looking around in earnest, I see a hill not far from where I am. If I can climb to the top of it, I know the dragons have incredible vision. Maybe he’ll see me!

  Climbing up the hill is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Labor is fully on me and the pain is unbearable. But inch by inch I climb to the top until I reach it. I’m on my knees, but I struggle to stand. And from there, I start to wave my hands. I even try jumping, but I’m certain my efforts are a failure.

  He flies in circles, and I wait until he draws nearer. Then, I begin to shout, knowing that he might just pick up the noise.

  But he doesn’t seem to see me or hear me. He doesn’t change direction. He moves further away.

  My heart lurches. Can he see me from here? Am I wasting precious time that I should be running?

  And then another idea strikes me. It’s dangerous. But I’m desperate.

  I can’t just keep going.

  Gathering a pile of dried grass and twigs onto the hill, in a dry area beneath a tree, I fumble in my pack and pull out my flint. Between my shaking hands and the labor pains, it takes far too long to light the fire. But at last, it sparks to life.

  My hope grows with the flames, and I look between it and the red dragon, waiting for the fire to be seen. But still, he doesn’t change direction. The fire continues to grow, spreading out on the hill, catching the tree ablaze.

  My nerves tense. This wasn’t what I’d planned. I’d thought he’d be here long before the fire got too large.

  And then, I hear the shouts of men and my heart clenches.

  The mages have found me!

  My gaze moves to Phoenix, but still he doesn’t draw nearer. Now what should I do?

  Chapter Four

  TORI

  The fire grows, as do the sounds of the men. I can’t stay here any longer, it’s too dangerous. I glance at Phoenix one last time, my heart aching, and clench my hands.

  I start to climb down the hill when another pain hits. It shoots like an arrow through my gut, tearing through me until I’m biting down another scream.

  Collapsing onto my knees, I wait for this one to finish. But it doesn’t. This time my pain feels different. It continues on and on, stretching out like a cord that’s been struck. And I have a strange urge, and urge to push.

  I touch my belly, realizing that the babies seem lower.

  No! This can’t be happening!

  A chill moves over my flesh. If the fire doesn’t kill me, the mages will reach us. My only chance is to run, and yet I can’t. The babies are coming, and I can’t do anything to stop them.

  We’re going to be captured again.

  Through the flames I see shapes. The men have come. My heart starts to pound,
filling my ears, while the mages gather, staring through the fire. I don’t think they see me yet, but they will. And all will be lost.

  A sob catches in my throat. My one chance to escape is gone. Once they get these babies, we’re doomed. I’ll never be able to escape with them.

  I failed my children.

  Lying back in the grass, sweat trickling down my brow as the fire moves closer, I raise my knees. The babies need to be born. And this is the moment they’ve chosen. The moment their mother has failed them.

  I’m sorry.

  Suddenly, a roar tears through the world. It shakes the ground, the trees, the very clouds.

  I turn as Phoenix lands a safe distance from me. He continues to roar toward the human men, and then his fire tears from his mouth.

  The men scream, a horrible sound of pain and death. And a terrible scent fills the air.

  I don’t look. I don’t need to look to know what’s happening.

  Phoenix moves through the flames and after the men, his fire continuing to consume everything around him. He blocks me from them, protecting me from danger.

  I see sparks of blue and green magic leaping into the flames, but nothing slows Phoenix.

  And then, more roars fill the air. I turn and see Frost and Azure bolting through the sky toward us. They land nearby, smashing trees in their landing.

  Within moments, Frost transforms into a man. He races toward me. And seconds later, I’m pulled into his arms.

  Tears sting my eyes.

  “All is right, Tori. We’re here now. No one will ever hurt you again.”

  It’s hard to swallow. “The babies are coming.”

  His ice-blue eyes widen. “I’ll get you to the temple.”

  “What if there isn’t time?” I whisper.

  “There’s time.” He says.

  He releases me and steps away. Within seconds, he’s a dragon once more. His wings beat the flames back as he rises and gently plucks me off the ground.

  My head drops to one side. I see Azure and Phoenix fighting dozens of mages. Their magic explodes off the dragons’ scales, but Azure and Phoenix are like the dragons from stories. Angry, focused, and dangerous.

  They seek death and destruction. And nothing will stand in their way.

  I give a silent prayer that they’re okay, and then I’m consumed by the pains of my labor once more.

  I’m barely aware when Frost shifts and carries me into the temple. I’m barely aware of anything when he lays me on blankets on the bed and creates a fire in the fireplace near me.

  He removes my gown and underwear. He brings cloths and moves about me in a flurry of movement. But all I can do is breathe, scream, and twist upon the bed.

  “It’s okay,” Frost whispers, kneeling on the bed at my feet. “The babies are coming, and you’re going to be fine.”

  I smell smoke, and then, Phoenix and Azure are at my sides.

  “The babies?” Azure asks, his voice tense with terror.

  “They come,” Frost answers simply.

  Phoenix takes my face and turns me to him. “The mages are dead. You’re safe. And you and our babies will live long, peaceful lives.”

  And somehow, as I look at him, I believe him.

  Things happen in a blur after that. Over and over they tell me to push. I hear a baby crying. But I can’t stop. They won’t let me. No matter how much I cry and beg, they command me to keep pushing.

  Azure and Phoenix hold my hands. They rub my arms, but they tell me I can’t stop.

  And I don’t know why.

  Frost says nothing. He works silently by my feet.

  When another baby cries, Azure leaves my side.

  And yet, they won’t let me rest. I can’t see. My tears fill my vision.

  But then Phoenix leans closely and whispers into my ear. “You have a daughter and a son. What will you have next?“

  I remember. The babies in my dreams. They’re counting on me. And I’m the only one who can do this.

  So, I push. I push with my last ounce of strength.

  And then, no baby cries. But I’m done.

  I feel tension. Phoenix wipes the tears from my eyes, and I turn to see the tiny baby in Frost’s grip.

  Immediately, I know the child is too small. And she doesn’t cry.

  “Give her to me,” I say, sobbing.

  Frost obeys, and the baby is laid on my chest. Not breathing.

  I wrap my tired hands around her, and I will her to live. I will her to survive. I didn’t escape to save my babies only to let one die now.

  I press my lips against hers. I breathe the breath of life into her mouth.

  And then, her limbs sprawl out, and eyes the molten color of Phoenix’s open.

  When she begins to cry, I swear there has never been a greater sound.

  Two more babies are brought to me. Two beautiful babies. A girl with ice-blue eyes, and a boy with eyes the color of ocean waves. I hold them and cry.

  Every moment of pain, everything I endured, it was all worth. All of it.

  I finally have my babies. And they’re safe.

  We’re all safe. With my dragons.

  It was a dream come true.

  Chapter Five

  AZURE

  Our children are like their mother; they’re fighters. Each day they grow bigger and stronger, making us proud with each small accomplishment. Sleet is a strong daughter, who is awake more than she sleeps. Already she is like the ice dragons, she rarely cries, but her every emotion is clearly written on her delicate face... emotions her father never misses. Ember is still tiny, and sleeps often, but like a fire dragon, her voice carries louder than the other babies. And my handsome son Rane, eats as if every meal may be his last. His anger and sadness builds slowly and powerfully like a storm, but luckily for him, I’m always there to soothe him.

  They do not have a clan of dragon to grow with, but they do have three fathers that could hold them forever. And so, their tears are few and far between.

  None of us have ever been happier, I think, as I stare down at my sleeping son.

  Phoenix’s favorite thing is to cradle his tiny daughter in his arms and pace near the windows. He sings to her, a song he remembers his mother singing to him a lifetime ago. And it’s unexpectedly beautiful coming from his deep voice.

  I never imagined Phoenix singing. But then, there are a lot of things I never imagined before our babies. Before Tori.

  Phoenix doesn’t seem to care that his daughter is tiny. And for a fire dragon, impossibly fragile. He believes that Ember is the most wonderful dragon to ever be born. He says that one day she will rule any sky she flies within.

  And with a father like him, I don’t doubt it.

  Frost is smitten with his daughter. He lies in bed beside Tori and speaks to the baby as if Sleet understands every word he says. Even when Tori and the baby sleep, he talks. He tells her about art, history, and the world. Frost touches her head and whispers that she’ll be a great mind one day.

  And then there is my child. A strong boy who smiles at my jokes. Phoenix says it’s just gas, but I know better. Rane already sees the joy in this world.

  Yet, it’s rare that any of us sleep. I can see it in my brothers. I know it in my heart. We’re afraid.

  This temple isn’t safe enough. We need to take our family to Phoenix’s lair. And yet, our babies and our mate are too weak for a trip just yet. And so, we say nothing of our fears that mages might still walk these lands. That they might even know that our mate and babies are here.

  Because we cannot bear the thought of them coming to harm.

  And we worry about Tori, she cherishes her babies. Her strength amazes us. And yet, she’s so thin. So weak. She’s still unable to rise or walk on her own. She still barely eats.

  Frost has told us why. She should’ve continued to be filled with our seed during her pregnancy. The fact that she and the babies survived, he suspects, is because she was blessed with dragon magic. But still, we fear her weakness. />
  We can never lose her again.

  Tori stirs in bed, and I carry my son to her side.

  Her eyes open, two pools of brown. “Do they need to feed?”

  I look down at the sleeping baby and shake my head. “But you should eat something.”

  She winces. “I’m not hungry.”

  Tension sings through the air.

  “Maybe just a little?”

  She looks paler as she leans back against the pillows. “Alright.”

  I cautiously set my son down in his cradle. His nose scrunches up, and I’m sure he’s about to start screaming. My hands twitch to gather him back up, but then, his expression relaxes, and he settles back against the blankets on his bed.

  My heart races. My little water cub will be the death of me one day.

  Going to the table, I load a plate up of Tori’s favorite things, then settle on one side of the bed. I feed her even though she protests, stuffing her mouth every time she looks about to tell me no.

  At last, she turns her head and swallows down her mouthful. “Enough, Azure! I’m full!”

  I look at the plate. She didn’t eat a lot, but at least it was something.

  When I rise to return the plate to the table, her eyes have already closed. And so, feeling lost, I go to the window and stare out at the woods. A strange tingling moves down my spine, and every instinct screams to life. My gaze sweeps over the forest in alarm, but I see nothing. Nothing to fear.

  And yet, I continue to stare. Something is out there. I’m sure of it...

  Nothing of concern comes that night. But even so, I don’t sleep.

  And the tingle? It doesn’t go away.

  Chapter Six

  FROST

  I don’t tell my brothers how alarmed I am. But the truth is, I’m scared. It’s been three months since the babies were born, and Tori is still too weak. She walks, but not for long. She sleeps too often, and no matter how much we force-feed her, she remains thin and pale.

  And so, I left her side. I told them it was for supplies, which I did gather at my lair, but I also returned to the libraries. Without the knowledge hidden there, I wouldn’t have been able to deliver our children. Now, I must determine the reason she isn’t growing stronger.