âIâm simply trying to ascertain if sheâs in labor or not. Aisling, is the pain sharp or dull?â
The door opened, and Gabrielâs two bodyguards, Tipene and Maata, entered. Behind them came one of Drakeâs men, a thick-necked, redheaded man named István. The latter picked up on Gabrielâs question.
âAisling is in pain? She is having the baby?â
âI should examine you more fully,â Gabriel said, smiling at Aisling as he took her hand. âDo not worry, Aisling. I have delivered many dragons over the centuries. My mother is a very good midwife and has taught me well.â
Drake snatched up her other hand. âYou will not examine my mate any further! We have an excellent green-dragon midwife who is attending her. Now, get away from her before I have you removed!â
Aisling looked perfectly fine to me. She rolled her eyes, casting a pleading look skyward. I might not have experience in this area, but it was clear to me that she was not in labor. I shot a glare at Gabriel, grinding my teeth just a little at the stupidity of what was normally such a bright man, my fingers itching to pry his hand from Aislingâs.
âI will tell you once moreâremove your hands from her!â Drakeâs voice got even more menacing.
âGabriel, I think she would know if she was in labor,â I said, nudging the dragon of my dreams a bit more forcefully.
âA voice of reason at last,â Aisling said, giving me a smile. âGuys, Iâm notââ
István turned in the doorway and bellowed out of it. âPál! Call the midwife! Aisling is in labor! I will call Nora and Rene. They wish to be here, yes? Should I boil water?â
He evidently asked the last bit of Maata, who, as the female member of Gabrielâs attendants, was obviously expected to know the answer. Maata looked surprised. âWould it make you feel better to boil water?â she asked.
István nodded his head vigorously. âIt is done, is it not? The boiling of water? It is important. I saw it in a movie.â
âThen, by all means, boil water,â she answered.
István nodded again, announced to the room in general, âI boil water!â and rushed out to suit action to word.
Pál, the second of Drakeâs two redheaded bodyguards, slammed into István as he was leaving, scattering apologies as he dashed into the room, a cell phone in his hand. âThe midwifeâs phone is busy!â he said, offering the phone to Drake as proof.
âOh, man, if thereâs going to be baby juice and blood and guck, Iâm getting out of here,â Jim said, sidling around the clutch of people that surrounded Aisling. âIâm going to Amelieâs to be with Cecile. Someone tell me when itâs all over.â
âHello, can anyone hear me? Iâm not in labor!â Aisling said.
âWhat should I do?â Pál asked Drake, shaking the phone at him. âIt is busy! Busy! How can it be busy?â
A little wisp of smoke escaped Drakeâs nose as he glared at the phone. âIt should not be busy. Go fetch her. There is no business she can have as important as this.â
Pál didnât stop to answer; he just bolted from the room.
âOh, for the love of Pete! Iâm not in pain! And unless dragons have some sort of painless labor, a notion your mother vehemently says is false, then Iâm not having the baby,â Aisling said, but was drowned out by Maata asking if Gabriel needed help at the same time Tipene offered to take over midwife phone duty.
Gabriel stood, putting one arm behind Aisling, obviously about to lift her out of the chair.
âI will take you upstairs to your room and examine you. You could be further along than you think.â
âGabriel,â Drake said in a low, mean voice, his eyes narrow slits of emerald. I had the feeling he was a cat about to pounce.
Aisling looked at me.