Alien Dragon's Baby Read online

  A cough sounded through the thick smoke cloud in front of him, and he tensed, waiting for an attack. Was it another Tryn?

  Inside the column of fire, a figure rose. It shuffled forward then broke through the flames.

  “Isabelle!

  Smoke steamed off her naked body. Her hair crimped from the heat, but she appeared mostly unscathed.

  He rushed toward her and scooped her against his scaled chest and wrapped his uninjured wing around her to shield her nakedness. His brother and Billy beat down the now lingering flames.

  When even the path was clear, Kohl led Isabelle to her porch. Quickly and with groans from the pain lancing up his back and body, Kohl transformed into his human shape. His wing would need to time to heal. Best if he remained in human form for a while. Injuries in his dragon form healed faster that way.

  Inside her house, he sat her on the couch and pulled a small blanket over her. What had happened to her? How did she survive the fire? He needed to help his brother and Billy squash the flames though before they spread more. “I’ll be right back.”

  She stared ahead, unspeaking and unblinking and his heart wrenched. Would she be okay? What about the babies? He kissed her cheek, hating to leave her, but the fire was too big for only two to handle and he didn’t want the flames reaching her house.

  “I won’t be long. Stay here until I return, okay?”

  She didn’t respond, but he had to head outside. Kohl joined his brother and Billy in dousing the flames. After his arms ached from beating out the fire and sparks, he shook them out and nodded to both his brother and Billy who panted and looked as exhausted as he felt.

  “Taurian!” Dena shouted and jogged across the law and launched herself at his brother. “I couldn't find you anywhere. The smoke led me here. Thank God you're all right.”

  How did his friend know Taurian? And how was his brother able to take human form? That would be a story he'd get out of both of them later. For now, he had to make sure Isabelle was okay.

  His friend removed a backpack and handed it to Taurian. “Clothes for both of you.”

  “Awesome!” Taurian snatched a pair of shorts and shirt from the bag. “Your human friend comes prepared.”

  Kohl’s gaze kept shifting to Isabelle’s house. She hadn’t come out yet…“I need to check on Isabelle.”

  “Might want to put some clothes on first.” Dena smirked.

  Grumbling, Kohl took out a pair of sweatpants out of Dena’s backpack, yanked them on, then ran up the stairs. He paused at the door. Would she answer? Tell him to go away that she never wanted to see him again? He couldn’t blame her. He’d brought danger to her doorstep. But he wouldn’t be sorry about his kids. Never. He wouldn’t regret the night he slept with Isabelle even if it was the last time he ever did.

  He walked through her front door and into her house. “Isabelle?” His breath stuck in his chest as he waited. Her soft response had him bursting into her kitchen. She sat on the floor in a robe, her hair wet and pooling water around her on the floor.

  “Isabelle,” he said and rushed to her side. “Are you okay?” His hands grasped hers as he searched her face and arms for any burn marks or bruises.

  She gazed up at him as if seeing him for the first time. “Did…did that just happen? I-I didn’t…the fire…it didn’t hurt me? H-how is that possible?”

  “Maybe the babies blood mixed with yours…giving you a temporary immunity to fire that all dragons have.”

  “No, fetal blood can’t mix with maternal otherwise there are major issues,” Dena said from the doorway. “May I come in?”

  “Sure.” Isabelle waved her inside.

  Taurian followed closely behind her, his hand on the small of her back. After Kohl helped Isabelle move to a chair at the kitchen table, Taurian leaned against the counter while Kohl got out glasses of water for each of them and Dena sat across from Isabelle.

  “So you’re a doctor?” Isabelle asked. “Do you have a theory on why I’m suddenly able to walk through fire?” She placed her shaky hands in her lap. “Sorry, still freaked out about it all and that I’m not crispy fried bacon right now.”

  “I’m a veterinarian.” Dena accepted the glass of water and took a sip. “I believe you carrying an alien dragon’s baby—”

  “Twins,” Kohl corrected, pride filling him as he sat beside Isabelle. A smile twitched at the corners of his mouth when she placed her hand in his. She was alive. Both her and the babies. He wanted to jump and shout, but he also noticed the dark circles around her eyes. Celebrating could come after she rested and recovered from the Tryns.

  “While the fetuses develop, their cells mingle and mix with the mother’s, passing through the placenta and can even stay in the mother for years.” Dena leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. “Scientists studied pregnant mice and determined that they are mostly immune cells. So that might explain why the fire didn’t burn you.”

  “Whatever reason,” Kohl raised Isabelle’s hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles, “it’s a miracle that I will be thankful for the rest of my life.”

  Taurian bowed slightly. “I’m Taurian, Kohl’s older brother. Pleased to meet the woman who captured my brother’s heart.”

  She blushed, but nodded. “Isabelle.”

  “Pleasure.” He winked.

  His brother was human...a shifter like him. “How are you...human now?”

  “Your blood.”

  When Kohl gawked at him, Taurian rubbed a hand over his face and sighed.

  “Back home, you were in a bad way with the poison. I had to siphon it out of you.” He glanced over at Dena. “I’d no idea that it would change me, and it probably wouldn’t have if me and the Tryn hadn’t gotten struck by the lightening and teleported here. Your blood, the electricity, passing through Earth’s atmosphere, I don’t know one or all of the combination turned me human when I landed. So now, I guess I’m a shifter like you, brother.” He punched Kohl’s shoulder. “Feels weird being human, right?”

  “I’ve always been half, so it’s natural to me. Sorry if—”

  “You kidding me? I’ve always been envious that you had two forms and now so do I.”

  Isabelle yawned and covered her mouth when everyone turned to her.

  Dena stood and touched Taurian’s shoulder. “We should get going so you two can get some rest. Good thing you all took care of the fire quickly. Otherwise, there would be fire engines and police here.”

  “Just a little dragon magic.” Taurian winked. “And muscle.”

  “Right.” Dena shook her head. “I think Taurian got all the ego genes from your family, Kohl.”

  “I’ve always thought that too.” Kohl couldn’t make himself let go of Isabelle’s hand. His mind flashed to the fact he owed Billy for bringing him and Isabelle together. “I’ve got to take care of Billy. I promised him compensation for the meteorite that I stole from his safe.”

  His brother shook his head. “The old man? He told me for you to pay him back by Christmas...whatever that means.”

  Isabelle and Dena laughed. Then Isabelle laid her head on his shoulder.

  “We’ll catch you two later,” Dena strolled toward the door. “Best thing now is to get some rest.”

  “Thank you both so much for your help. You’re welcome to stay for as long as you like.” Isabelle yawned.

  “Thanks. We’ll stop by tomorrow and check on you both, okay?” Dena answered. “I’ll do some tests this week too, determine if it’s okay for you to see a regular doctor. If not,” she shrugged and smiled, “guess you’re stuck with me.”

  Taurian clapped Kohl on the shoulder. “I might pop in on Father and let him know we’re all okay. Sure he’s curious about Isabelle and his grandchildren. Just have to wait until the next thunderstorm.”

  “You’re leaving that soon?” Dena rushed out, then blushed. “I mean sure. Yeah, that sounds good.”

  “Don’t worry, Luv. On our planet, lightning happens at least every other day.” He wi
nked, but his gaze lingered as the two stared at each other before coming out of their hypnotic state and waved bye to Kohl and Isabelle.

  Do they like each other? He’d have to grill his brother later.

  After they closed the door, Kohl pulled Isabelle into his lap. He kissed her until the tension in her shoulders eased and she relaxed against him.

  “I’ve missed you so much.” He rose, carrying her into her bedroom. Tonight, he’d hold her while they slept. Breathe in her scent. Watch her dream and thank the gods she was okay. She blinked up at him from her pillow.

  “Me too.” She closed her eyes.

  He turned to leave when she touched his hand.

  “No, don’t go. Please stay with me?” Her voice shaky and sleepy.

  “Always,” he answered. Crawling in behind her, he tucked her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. The soft lilt of her breathing comforted him like nothing ever had before. He kissed the top of her head. In all the planets in the cosmos, he only wanted to be right here, right now with her. Forever.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Isabelle woke with a start. Fuck, my alarm didn’t go off! She untangled herself from Kohl’s arms and scrambled to the bathroom. Late for class again! Where was her cell phone? While she jumped into the cold shower, she scrubbed her body and teeth, slipping twice, but caught herself.

  What was she going to do when she was the size of a barn? Eventually, she’d have to tell Principal Cooper about her condition.

  She threw on a plain white and flowered dress that had an Imperial waistband. Kohl leaned against the doorframe, watching her.

  “You okay? Why the hurry?”

  “Some of us have to work for a living.” She gave him a wink and a smile. “Not all of us can be dragon prince.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Well, this dragon prince would pay any amount of money to have you take off that dress and walk around naked all day. How much for you to come back to bed?”

  “More than you can afford.” She laughed.

  “Oh?” He drew her into his arms and kissed her.

  She tangled her fingers through his thick dark hair. “Hmmm...” she pulled away. “Later. For now, I’m late.”

  “Call in, then.” He nibbled at her neck.

  “I would. But I’ve got twenty-eight kids counting on me and a boss who would love any excuse to see me fired.” She kissed his nose. If she didn’t leave now she’d never make it out of the house much less to school. “I’ll see you around three?”

  He gave her a grin that made her use every bit of willpower she had to walk out of the bathroom and get into her car.

  * * *

  As soon as she walked into the private school building, the first alarm rang. Son of a bitch! The quickest way to her class was right past Principal Cooper’s office. She pushed through the crowd of students when a voice shouted her name.

  “Ms. Givens, my office, now!” Cooper smirked from his doorway.

  When she turned, he grinned. “You’re late. Pack your things and I’ll have you escorted out of the building in the hour.”

  Inside, she crumpled. He was a shitty boss and a jerk. What could she do about it? It would be her word against his and he had nearly all the teachers on his side plus the school panel and parents. Damn it, she loved her job.

  “Mr. Cooper, I’m not late until the second bell.” She smiled as sweetly as she could. “Still have three minutes to get to my classroom, plenty of time bef—”

  “Don’t make me call security, Ms. Givens.”

  He nodded to her dress, which strained against her stomach. Damn, had she gained ten pounds since leaving the house?

  “Bad enough you come here flaunting your...condition...and being unmarried.” He shook his head. “That’s not the type of behavior we allow our teachers to have. Our kids are susceptible to things like that, and we’ll not have that kind of teacher in our school.”

  “Then what does that make you and Mrs. O’Malley?” God, she hated this man. If it wasn’t for the kids and other good teachers here or getting arrested, she’d punch him.

  His face turned red and the vein in his forehead pulsed. “Pack your things and get out! And I’ll see that you never teach another child ever again!”

  Injustice fueled her. “Fine. As long as I don’t have to deal with your hypocrisy anymore.” Dude had no educational experience, just business skills from his prior jobs.

  The tardy bell shrilled. She marched to her classroom, her anger fueling her rage. But when she passed the threshold of her classroom and all her students looked over at her expectantly, she blinked back tears. These are the ones who mattered. Not Cooper or O’Malley or anyone else while she was in this room. And now she was going to have to say goodbye to them.

  Her throat constricted as she moved to the front of the room. “Um, I-I have some news to share. I can no longer be your teach—” She couldn’t do this. Let them down so suddenly like this. But what else could she do? She was fired. “I’ve got to go away for a while. Would you take turns telling me what you want for Christmas while I pack my things? It would make me happy and I’ll tell you all about my dream of flying with a dragon.”

  Each child clapped their hands, then took turns according to their seats about what presents they wanted this year. She listened and commented to each wish while she sorted out her things.

  An hour later, two tall shadows stood outside her classroom door. Police? She shook her head.

  “Ms. Givens,” Sally raised her hand, “We told you our Christmas lists, will you tell us about your dream now?”

  “Yeah,” Issac said from the side of the room. “I want to know about flying with a dragon.”

  “Sorry everyone, but looks like I’m out of time.” She gathered her bags and staggered to the front of the class while all the kids surrounded her and tried to hug her. Tears splashed down her face.

  “I want to hear the story too.” Kohl turned into the doorway. “Surely, in a teacher’s long day you’ve got time for a dragon’s tale.”

  “Wha—” She blinked back tears.

  The second shadow moved and it wasn’t a cop at all. Taurian!

  “How—I don’t understand.” She couldn’t think while Taurian took her bags and moved them back to her desk.

  The children jumped around both men and asked a thousand questions at once.

  “Are you a bodybuilder?” one asked.

  “Our new teacher?”

  “Are you Ms. Givens’ boyfriend?”

  Kohl took her hand and kissed it. Making the boys gag and the girls blush and giggle. “Tell your story, pretty lady.”

  “B-but I’m fired.” She glanced back at Taurian who smiled at Ruth who tugged at his pant leg.

  “Not anymore.” Kohl guided her back to the front of her classroom.

  Dread filled her stomach. “W-what did you do?”

  He winked. “Once your friend...Julia, is it? Told me about what happened when I came to bring you your phone, me and Taurian had a nice long talk with your boss.”

  “Oh, my God!” she whispered. “You didn’t eat him, did you?”

  “Put it this way, he won’t bother you ever again. He might just believe in dragons too.” He grinned and waggled his eyebrows. “And that they like to eat rotten bosses.”

  She had her job back! And Cooper would lay off her from now on. She danced into his arms, hugging him. “I think I just might love you.”

  He squeezed her back and kissed her cheek. “I’ve loved you from the moment I met you and you gave me a hard time in Billy’s loft.”

  “Stop hugging and kissing,” Charles whined, “we want to hear about the dragon.”

  “Charles is right.” Isabelle smiled against his lips.

  “Until you get off work, my love.” He kissed her lips quickly and pulled away.

  “My break is at one thirty.” She smoothed her dress down.

  “I’ll see you then...Ms. Givens.”

  “All right,” s
he addressed her class. “Take your seats and I’ll tell you of my amazing dream of flying with a dragon prince.” Her heart full as she watched Taurian and Kohl leave her classroom and all her students fell quiet, waiting to hear her dream. A dragon prince had her heart and she had everything she ever wanted. She rubbed a hand across her belly. “Now can anyone tell me how big do you think dragons are?”

  Epilogue

  “Why do we have to go to your planet for the birth?” Isabelle panted as another contraction hit her. “What about the Tryns?”

  Kohl pulled up the couch cushions to find her wedding ring. Over the last month it had gotten too tight on her finger and he fastened a chain around her neck to wear it, but the lock broke last night in their lovemaking and she didn’t realize it was missing until this morning. “I can’t find it. We’ll have to hunt for it later.”

  “No way!” she huffed. “I’m not leaving without it.” They still didn’t know if she’d survive the birth, but she wanted everyone to know she was Mrs. D'Kohralx. Even though Kohl’s people didn’t wear rings, but kept each other’s scent on them, she liked her wedding ring of white gold and diamonds and sapphires in twinging hearts. Both symbolizing her and Kohl and their twins.

  “Damn it, Isabelle. We can find it later.” He raked a hand through his hair.

  She tapped her foot and crossed her arms.

  “Fine.” He grumbled and took off another couch cushion.

  With Billy and Taurian’s help, Kohl had located a dozen more crystals for his planet. They got their weapons working and finally swayed the battle in their favor. No more giant Tryns had turned up according to Kohl’s father. Little vermin still plagued them, but they no longer raided the dragons’ cave lair. It would be a long war, but for the first time, Kohl and his people felt safer.

  A knock sounded on the door, and Isabelle walked over to answer it.

  “Sorry we’re late,” Dena entered and placed a hand on Isabelle’s forehead, then took her pulse. “How far are the contractions now?”