by Lexi Lane
And so they waited, the months passing, to see if with the birth of his child, the curse would be lifted.
Epilogue – Two years later
The sound of voices woke Eva. She rolled over, reaching for Galef, but the bed was empty. She sat up. He was sitting by the table, cradling the baby in his large hands, and talking to her softly. She was smiling up her him, waving her tiny fists.
“Are you two having a private conversation?” Eva gestured for Galef to bring her the baby. He slid from the window ledge, carrying the child to the bed.
“A one-sided conversation, but one I quite enjoy.” He laid the baby in Eva’s arms, looking down at her and their child.
She looked up at Galef. “It’s amazing, after all that’s happened, that we’re here, the three of us.”
Eva had carried the dragon Evered’s baby, had suffered through a long and painful delivery, and in that final instant when the baby emerged, the witch had appeared, taking the baby away. Eva hadn’t even seen the babe. She assumed it was a boy since the witch was ecstatic. And then the witch disappeared.
Evered had stayed with Eva as she recovered, not leaving the cave, not testing the witch’s promise of the broken curse. Finally, unable to bear the suspense, she made Evered help her to the cave entrance, leaving her leaning weakly against the cave wall.
She watched as he walked slowly toward the cave entrance. He took a step past the edge of the cave, onto the ledge, the morning sun striking his black hair. They both waited, but nothing happened.
Evered turned, his face carrying a look of disbelief. But Eva’s face was covered in smiles. Evered stood in the sun, the strong man she’d grown to love. The dragon curse had been broken.
The witch had left them a path down the mountain, a set of stairs carved into the stone. They had made the long treacherous journey down to the coast, and the longer journey to Evered’s small kingdom. They’d settled into the castle, Eva now called the Lady Eva. And within a short time, she was against carrying Galef’s child, his human child.
Eva held the baby, looking down into her face. Galef rose and in that instant, a ray of sun lit up the baby’s face. And in that instant, Eva watched in horror and disbelief as the baby’s eyes turned a glowing red.