Strangely butterflies dance in my stomach. I don’t know why I’m nervous but there’s no doubt about it that I am. Errol squeezes my hand reassuringly, sensing my distress or being sweet. Either way it helps.

Errol asks after Visidion and we’re directed to Rosalind’s office. Walking through the City it’s so different than the Tribe’s home. It lacks the warmth and connection that I feel there. The life breathing through it.

The City is huge and despite a respectable number of people living here they’re not even a half a percent of what it was built to house. It gives the entire area an empty, ghost-town feel.

It isn’t long before we’re walking past the massive fountain and into the building Rosalind has made command central. There’s a bustle and hum of life here that the rest of the City lacks. It’s welcoming in its own way, pushing aside the empty sensation.

“Do you have an appointment?” a young girl asks, smiling.

“No,” I say, looking at Errol.

“I need to see the Commander,” Errol says to her. “It is important. Tribe business.”

“Of course,” the girl says. “I’ll let them know you’re here.”

Wow, here we are crash-landed on a desert wasteland and we’re already putting bureaucracy back into play. You’d think, at some point, we’d evolve beyond the need for it. Taking a seat, Errol and I sit and wait.

The butterflies are back, warring with each other from the way my stomach feels. The girl smiles at us occasionally as we sit and wait while others go in and out of the double doors. Shifting in my seat for the umpteen millionth time I look at Errol.

“We should go,” I say. “This is a bad idea.”

“Patience, love,” he advises, taking my hand and interlacing his fingers with mine.

As if on his cue the doors open and Visidion fills them.

“Errol!” he exclaims. “Come!”

Visidion is a big Zmaj, not the biggest but still an impressive figure. He wears an open cloak with a hood that is tossed back. His scales have a soft blue tint to them and his eyes are emerald green. He holds his arms out wide and Errol walks to his embrace.

“Commander,” Errol says.

“Come on in, both of you,” he says, cheerfully. “Sorry to keep you waiting. There is a lot happening.”

We walk into a classic boardroom setting. An ancient, massive table dominates the space with a mix of stools and chairs set around it. Small lights hang in a row down the middle, but they’re not lit up now. Floor to ceiling glass windows look out over the City. In front of those windows is a big, wooden desk, behind which sits Rosalind.

“Hello,” she says, glancing up from her work. “Please, have a seat.”

“Water?” Visidion asks.

“No thank you,” I say, my voice catching in my throat. Damn why am I so nervous?

“Thank you, Commander, no,” Errol says taking a stool in front of the desk.

Following his lead, I take a seat, but I’m sitting on the edge, too antsy.

“So, what brings you?” Visidion asks, moving to stand behind the desk, one hand resting on Rosalind’s shoulder.

Errol clears his throat and rises.

“Commander, I request that you perform the water ceremony for us,” he says, tail swishing side-to-side in quick short strokes.

“Really?” Visidion asks, tilting his head to one side focusing his attention on me.

My cheeks warm under his gaze and get hotter when I notice Rosalind’s steely eyes on me. Finding my resolve, I rise to my feet.

“Yes,” I say, proud that my voice doesn’t waver.

Rosalind seems to weigh my words carefully before nodding. Visidion and her exchange a look before either of them speak.

“Good,” Visidion says. “Very good!”

He walks around the desk and pulls Errol into an embrace then turns to me with open arms. I accept the hug as gracefully as I can while doing my best to stay upright. Relief flooding through has made my knees weak.

There’s a commotion outside the door causing the four of us to turn right as it bursts open, slamming into the wall with a loud bang.

“It’s Mei!” a woman with dark hair, a sharp nose, and a strong jaw exclaims breathing heavily.

“Shit,” Rosalind swears leaping her desk in a single fluid motion.

Her white space-leathers that she still wears catch the sunlight streaming through the windows and reflects it in tiny rainbows and sparkles. She moves like a cat, or a goddess. Or a cat goddess. Watching her move is a thing of beauty. I’d never guess her age but I know, from the ship, that she’s much older than I am.

She doesn’t wait for anyone, running out the door. Visidion is in her wake, not far behind. The woman who burst in leans against the wall, her chest heaving, sweat pouring down her face.

“You might as well come too,” she says. “Amara, by the way, let’s go.”

“What’s happening? Isn’t Mei pregnant?” I ask.

“Too many questions, run now, ask later,” she snaps, turning and running for the stairs.

Errol and I follow if for no other reason I don’t know what else to do. Amara is on the stairs, half a flight ahead of us and running fast.

“Damn stairs,” she huffs, leaping down the rest of the flight.

Errol grabs me around the waist, spreads his wings and leaps, catching up easily.

“May I?” he asks, landing next to her.

“Yes!” Amara exclaims.

He grabs her around her waist with his free arm then bounds down the stairwell. Fortunately, it’s made for Zmaj so it’s much bigger than anything we had on the ship. He’d never get away with this if it was designed for humans.

When we reach the base of the stairwell he bursts out into the open foyer and looks. Amara points to the outside and Errol carries us on, kicking the doors open and bursting out on the plaza. He sets us on our own feet.

“This way,” Amara says, running.

Ahead, surprisingly distant, I see Rosalind and Visidion. Damn they run fast! We take off after them, pounding the pavement until we enter another building that’s not far away.

Sweat drips into my eyes. Wiping at it, trying to clear my vision, there’s a small group of people huddled outside a closed door. A loud groan drifts through, then I hear panting and a soothing voice, but I can’t make out the words.

The group, a mix of women and a couple of Zmaj, glance over. Suddenly I feel awkward and out of place. I’m not part of this group, why am I here? Casting my eyes down I struggle with the overwhelming sensation.

Errol takes my hand and squeezes, pulling me forward. Glancing up, the only people I recognize are Rosalind and Visidion. Some of the others look passingly familiar, I think I’ve seen them around the City, but I don’t know them.

“How long since it started?” Rosalind is asking as we approach.

“She’s been in labor since last night,” a fair-skinned, red-haired woman like me says.

Rosalind purses her lips, nodding. The tension is so thick it’s oppressive. Almost hard to breathe.

“I think she was in labor longer than that Inga, she didn’t want to bother anyone,” an auburn-haired girl says.

Glancing over to her, she’s a curvy woman but more than that there’s an obvious bulge that can’t be mistaken. She’s pregnant too.

“It could be Lana,” Inga responds, nodding.

I repeat their names in my head, over and over, trying to commit them to memory. A loud scream echoes from the far side of the door followed by a silence that is so absolute I swear no one is breathing. No one moves, I don’t even dare to glance to the side. My eyes are glued on that door, waiting for some sign, anything to indicate what’s happening.

The soothing voice sounds again, still calm, then there’s a long, low moan. As one those of us outside inhale sharply, making a loud sound as we break past the moment of fear.

“I don’t think they can both survive,” Amara breathes. “One was hard enough.”

“Enough,” Rosalind barks. “Don’t even think it.”

Amara blushes bright red, nodding as she bites her lip. The others gathered look anywhere but at her or each other.

“They have to make it,” Rosalind whispers. “All three of them.”

My chest tightens and I swear it’s suddenly ten degrees warmer in here. Biting my lip, I look around, hoping to understand. The auburn-haired girl, Lana, moves closer, accidentally bumping me with her growing belly.

“Sorry,” she says, softly as she puts a hand on my arm. “Are you okay?”

Shaking my head, I smile but it falters. No, I’m not okay but what right do I have to demand any attention here? These people don’t know me, they’re not my friends or allies. Obviously their friend is on the other side of that door.

“What’s…” I can’t form the words so I stop and gather my thoughts. Lana keeps her hand on my arm and looks reassuring.

Is having a Zmaj baby always this hard? I hate to admit I’ve had dreams of Errol and I having a baby, a family, together. Now, fear grips me with a cold hand that won’t let go. If it’s this bad, how could I?

“It’s okay,” Lana reassures, patting my arm. “Take your time.”

“What’s happening? Is it always… this bad?” I glance at the door.

Lana smiles and no one admonishes me for asking the question, which is a relief.

“It’s tough,” Lana says.

“It’s a total bitch,” Amara adds.

Lana closes her eyes and shakes her head. “Amara be nice.”

“What?” Amara asks, throwing her hands up.

“Ignore her,” Lana says, smiling. “Our bodies aren’t designed for the Zmaj babies exactly but it’s very doable. We’re getting better at managing the pregnancies too.”

“Oh, well, good,” I say, glancing at the door again.

If this is them getting better, how bad was it before?

“Mei’s case is special,” Lana says, and her words are accented by a loud roar from the far side of the door and a flurry of unseen activity. “She’s having twins.”

“Twins?” I ask, incredulous.

“Yes,” Lana nods. “No one is talking about it because we’re not sure they can both survive the birthing.”

“Oh,” I say, a black pit opening in my stomach.

Errol places an arm around my shoulders, pulling me tight against him.

“But we’ve got some equipment and we’re prepared for this,” Lana assures me.

“They will survive,” Rosalind says.

It’s a statement, no-- an order. It brooks no doubts or counter thoughts.

The door bursts open and a massive Zmaj fills the opening. His face and chest are covered with scars, but a smile goes from ear to ear. Exhilaration rolls from him in an infectious wave.

“They’re here!” he exclaims.

The crowd bursts into applause and excitement. People are jumping up and down, cheering, shouting their joy. The men grab the one in the door and lift him up, carrying him in a circle.

The excitement drops to a low boil eventually then two at a time we’re being allowed in to meet the new arrivals. When it’s time for Errol and me to go in, butterflies dance in my stomach so hard they’re tickling my throat.

He squeezes my waist and I grip his hand so tight I’m surprised it isn’t hurting him. The first thing I see is the mother, Mei. She’s so beautiful, despite or perhaps because of, having just given birth. She has blonde hair that’s almost pure white. It’s matted to her head and her face is pale, but she looks like an angel who decided to lie on this bed for a short rest.

She smiles as we enter, pushing herself up on her elbows. The scarred male stands next to her and helps her to sit up.

“Hi!” she says, cheerfully. “I’m Mei, so good to meet you.”

“Hi,” I answer.

Errol and the male exchange pleasantries. Callista steps out from behind the male whose large size had blocked my view of her. In her arms is a blanketed bundle. She goes over to Mei and lies it on her left side then walks behind the male again.

My heart pounds in my chest looking down at the tiny, perfect face. Little scales, too small to be believed, cover its face and there’s the hint of two nubs where it’s horns will grow. Its cherubic face is so cute my heart could explode. Its little eyes are scrunched close and its nose is wrinkled up as if expressing its disapproval of how bright the world is.

Calista comes up to the bed again and lies another blanketed bundle on her other side. Mei hooks an arm around the babies and coos to them. The Zmaj leans in close, whispering to each of them. It’s such a beautiful, private moment a sense of honor mixes with a feeling of not belonging.

“Come, meet the boys,” Mei says, nodding.

Errol and I step forward, heart pounding harder in my chest. The smell of them is something I don’t have words for. It’s clean, beautiful, it’s the smell of creation. I’ve never smelled anything like it before. It’s incredible.

“This is Elneese,” she says nodding to her right. “This is Ganeese.”

“They’re perfect,” I whisper.

My fingertips tingle with the desire to touch them. Mei smiles and nods.

“Good, traditional names. Congratulations. Two males, a very auspicious day,” Errol says to the Zmaj.

“A good day,” he agrees, smiling.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” I say, forcing myself to pay attention to Mei no matter the gravity of the two babies.

“Me too,” she laughs. “That was… the hardest damn thing I’ve ever done.”

She looks down at the babies and tears well in her eyes. She kisses each of them on their tiny foreheads.

“But so, so worth it,” she says, looking up at her man.

He leans in and kisses her. This moment is so private and intimate that I take Errol’s hand and pull us out of the room. Our time here is done. They need time to themselves.

Outside the crowd has disappeared leaving only Rosalind and Visidion waiting for us.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Visidion smiles.

“I don’t have words,” I admit, emotions choking my throat close.

“That is our future,” Rosalind says, staring at the door, her voice musing. “Together we are stronger.”

The Edict rings in my head. How true it is! Turning to Errol I rise onto my toes and he leans in, kissing me. Wrapping my arms around his neck I lie my head on his chest and listen to the steady beating of his hearts.

I’ve never been happier or surer of what I want from my life. Somehow, I’ve found it all here.