Chapter4

I gripped the communicator abruptly, my jaw clenched tight.

"What do you want?"

Over the receiver came the distinct sound of leathery dragon wings stretching, bones popping. His voice was unhurried.

"Azure blue. Do I really need to spell it out?"

"Does your boyfriend know you like it this thrilling?"

I took a deep breath.

"He knows. He put it there himself. What about it?"

"Do I have to report my sex life with my boyfriend to you?"

"Or have you been single for so long that you want one too? Go buy it yourself."

"My boyfriend is with me at the alchemy clinic right now. Stop bothering me."

With that, I killed the connection hard, blocking his number in the same breath.

Just as my tense muscles began to relax, the egg in my womb flared with a sudden heat, as if agitated by the volatile standoff. All color drained from my face.

The dwarven alchemist watched me, hesitating before she spoke.

"Lady Elara, your physical constitution isn't exactly robust. Normally, a human body wouldn't be able to carry this egg. You were only able to conceive because the bloodline of the other species is overwhelmingly dominant."

"But this is going to be incredibly taxing on you."

"And from what I can see... your relationship with the egg's father doesn't seem to be in a very good place."

"For the sake of your own safety, I really hope you can try talking to him again."

I lowered my head, staring at my flat stomach in a long, drawn-out silence.

"I'm the only one left in my bloodline."

The dwarf sighed.

"Alright. Let me run one more mana resonance scan. I'll re-evaluate your condition based on the magic output the egg is carrying."

An hour later, the scan finished. She handed me the parchment.

"The magical resonance is better than I expected. If you are determined to bring this egg to term, we can give it a try."

I nodded, taking the report.

"Thank you. Then next time I'll..."

The heavy stone door of the exam room was shoved open forcefully from the outside.

Darius stood in the doorway, his face dangerously dark. Those golden, slitted pupils locked onto me.

"I told you. You're going to give me a clear explanation."

I scrambled to my feet.

"How did you find me?"

He didn't answer. Instead, his gaze swept the stone room.

"Didn't you say your boyfriend was keeping you company for your checkup?"

He crossed his arms, his eyes dropping to my stomach.

"Where is this boyfriend? I only see you."

His gaze caught the parchment in my hand. The golden pupils dilated a fraction, and he reached out to snatch it.

I clutched the report tight, my heart hammering against my ribs. Just moments ago, for the mana scan, I had explicitly written Dragon in the species column!

Operating purely on instinct, I hastily shoved the parchment deep into my enchanted pouch. I forced my breathing to steady and glared up at him.

"It's a private matter between me and my boyfriend. Why on earth would I show it to you?"

Darius's lips curled into a mocking sneer.

"You keep harping on about this boyfriend, but where the hell is he?"

"Don't tell me it's just—"

Suddenly, the stone door swung open once more. A head popped in.

"Oh man, Elara, an old friend just pulled me aside for a chat. Hope I didn't keep you waiting too—"

Lucien cut himself off abruptly. His crimson gaze darted back and forth between me and Darius.

He pursed his lips and shot me a subtle look that said: Is this the guy?

I gave him a barely imperceptible nod.

He was my mentor's adopted son, now a Vampire Grand Duke, and the only person other than the dwarven alchemist who knew I was pregnant. I had originally arranged to meet him here so we could head over to our mentor's place after the checkup.

Lucien smoothed his collar and strolled to my side with effortless grace, slipping an arm around my waist.

"I'm the boyfriend. Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Dragon?"

He tenderly helped me tie the sash of my cloak.

"Elara and I have been together for seven or eight years now. She’s my father's most prized student. He’s already agreed to arrange our wedding; we’ve even picked a date for the blood-binding ceremony."

"Having a child so suddenly is a blessing. I'm here keeping her company for the checkup. Why, is that getting in the way of our tyrant lord hoarding his gold coins?"

"We're fated mates. As high and mighty as the Dragon King might be, vampire affairs aren't really in your jurisdiction, now are they?"

Darius stared at Lucien's hand resting on my waist, his dark golden, slitted pupils suddenly shrinking to a pinprick. Ghostly silhouettes of dragon scales flickered across his skin, and the terrifying, oppressive aura of his draconic bloodline grew overwhelmingly obvious.

He shot Lucien a murderous glare.

"Right. Not my jurisdiction."

He shoved the door open and turned on his heel.

The heavy stone door slammed shut behind him and instantly splintered into a web of cracks.

I leaned heavily against Lucien's shoulder, my palms slick with cold sweat.

Staring blankly for a moment, I murmured,

"Thank you, Lucien."

"Hey, don't mention it. You know how tight we are. Just promise to put in a good word for me the next time my old man tries to beat me half to death."

He dropped carelessly into a nearby chair.

"I just don't get it, though. Dragon hatchlings are ridiculously rare. Why don't you just come clean to that stinking lizard and tell him the egg in your belly is his?"