The stone room was warm. A faint scent of herbs drifted in from the window, mixing with the clean smell of crushed leaves Cyrus used to wash the bedding.
Isabella had already bathed. Her hair was still damp, sticking softly to her cheeks as she sat on the fur-covered bed.
Cyrus walked toward her with quiet steps. The dim firelight made his shadow fall across her stomach. His eyes softened immediately.
Her belly had grown again.
Cyrus knelt beside the bed, his tall frame bending gently as he placed one large hand across her stomach. His cold palm made Isabella inhale sharply.
"It's grown more," Cyrus said in a low voice. "I think you will give birth to a my hatchlings and a female."
Isabella blinked. "Really?"
"Yes." Cyrus rubbed her belly slowly, careful not to press too hard. "It has been over a month. And you are still growing steadily. It doesn't look like you will give birth soon."
Isabella placed her own hand over his. "I thought it would be soon."
