Free Dragon Wish by Judith Leger

friend. “What has my brother
    done?”
    Calis shifted from one foot to the other for a moment
    before he blurted, “He’s widened his borders. A great deal
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    from the word I received in Gilliesport. Didn’t want to tell ye,
    what with yer recent loss and all.”
    Paladin closed his eyes, gritting his teeth. Why did Rylen
    desire more than what he already possessed? What was his
    purpose in expanding the White Dragon realm? Was it
    domination over the weak or annihilation of the lesser
    rulers? Paladin tried to understand, but no answer came to
    him.
    Battling to control the anger growing inside, he pivoted
    toward the door leading below. He must do something, but
    what? How should he stop his brother? The timing was off.
    He had sworn to help Seren. He fully intended to keep his
    word.
    When he neared the door, it slammed open. Seren fell
    onto the deck in a tangle of blanket and slender limbs.
    Shocked, fear overpowered all else, he leapt forward. He
    wrapped his arms around her. Her skin burned like she was
    on fire from the inside out. The rancid smell of illness rose
    from her skin. Underneath the odor, the sharp scent of
    dragon increased. Grabbing her against his chest, he
    whispered spells to protect her internal organs, veins, and
    brain, hoping to block his child’s dragon fire which raged
    within her. He hurried to his room. Calis’ footstep rang out
    behind him.
    Without looking at the other man, Paladin ordered,
    “Bring freeze water. Buckets of it. Now, before we lose her!”
    Boots thudded on the wooden floor behind him while
    Calis shouted orders. Paladin ignored the distraction as he
    laid Seren on the bed. The blanket dampened. It soaked up
    the body fluids escaping from her pores. He tugged the
    covers from around her waist and placed his palms against
    her abdomen. He concentrated, drawing the growing heat
    through his hands. Her stomach muscles contracted. He
    hoped the child would pass. Only then would Seren have a
    better chance of survival.
    A fluttering started under his palms. His eyes widened.
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    The babe, his son, shifted and worked to cool his own blood.
    Paladin, amazed at the strength coming from the babe,
    worked harder to help.
    Calis settled his large hand on Paladin’s shoulder.
    “Ready, Captain. I’ve got all we have here on board ready.
    Talen also works using an icy spell to make more. Switched
    course too. We’re heading for the nearest town to restock,
    just in case.”
    Paladin stood and lifted Seren then swung around to his
    bathing tub. Calis passed him to grab the first bucket filled
    with more icy water. Chunks of ice floated in the slush.
    Paladin lowered Seren, still wrapped in the blanket, into the
    tub.
    He took the bucket’s handle from Calis, and poured the
    thick liquid onto Seren’s abdomen. She screamed, jerking,
    fighting in her semiconscious state. Her cries tore at him. He
    caused her pain, her tears.
    As the minutes flew by, the crew refilled the empty
    buckets until a constant stream raced between his quarters
    and storage area. Vaguely, the thud of running boots
    registered as he worked over Seren. He drained the tub and
    started all over again. He helped her swallow cold water
    while Calis kept the tub filled. Each time Paladin touched her
    abdomen, he hoped it had cooled, but the heat remained. She
    twisted under his palm, trying to escape his touch.
    The day turned to darkness. Tremors trailed up and down
    his spine. He’d experienced worry in his lifetime, but nothing
    like this. The only outcome he saw was her death. Nothing he
    did worked. He couldn’t see how she would pull through this.
    The freeze water melted on the first touch to the skin over
    her abdomen. Her body rejected the cold. What else could he
    do? Paladin rubbed a hand over his face. He’d never been so
    helpless before. The cool liquids she took in passed from her
    pores. It just wasn’t working.
    Stubborn, he refused to give up. Long into the