Loved by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 4.50)

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.”