On a Clear Winter Night: An Irin Chronicles Short Story Read Online Free PDF Page B

much of your pain as possible and protect your children when they are born.”
    “Thank you, Evren.” She hoisted herself to her feet. “I have a feeling you’re going to be buried in here for the rest of the day, so I’ll go help in the kitchen. Enjoy your book.”
    Malachi sprang to his feet and helped her to the door, then whistled for Rhys, who was lazing by the fire.
    “Oh, for heaven’s sake.” Ava sighed as Rhys jumped up. “I’m having babies, not gradually turning into porcelain.”
    Rhys took her arm. “Are you sure they’re not ducklings inside you? That’s a formidable waddle, my dear.”
    “I can still hurt you, Rhys. All I’d have to do is sit on you at this point. You wouldn’t be getting up anytime soon.”

    MALACHI and Evren studied and practiced his spellwork for days while Midwinter feast preparations swirled around them. As the hours passed and the solstice drew near, snow fell heavier outside the house, and Malachi saw Ava’s usual enthusiasm narrow into an exhausted, steely focus. She slept often and ate little. She liked being in the middle of the feast preparations, but she didn’t join in the conversation.
    He knew in his gut that the children would come soon.
    When she slept at night, she only dozed, and he knew she dreamed without him. Often, he would catch her dozing in a chair in the middle of the kitchen or on the couch and he’d have to scoop her up and take her to the library where he could watch her. The irregular contractions continued to come, but never progressed into true labor.
    By the time Midwinter came, the forest around the house was blanketed with a thick layer of snow and the house was decked with holly boughs and candles. The Christmas tree, which had seemed so foreign to him at first, blended with the traditional Midwinter decorations and made his mate smile every time she looked at it.  
    Bruno had brought another table in from the barn where he did his woodworking, and the dining room stretched into the sitting room. All the furniture had been pushed back to the walls and the tables were piled high with fragrant soups, roasts, and savory pastries. The seven-branched candlestick they would light with short beeswax tapers was placed in the center of the table where it would burn until there was nothing but seven small flames to join the sacred fire Bruno kept burning in the meditation room.
    It was every Midwinter feast he’d ever had, but better. Because for the first time, his mate and his brothers were together. His children would be born in a blessed house, surrounded by those who would give their lives for their protection.
    Malachi felt the welling gratitude in his heart as he pulled Ava’s chair out for her then sat next to his mate. He leaned down and rested his head on hers, wrapping his arms around her back and under her belly. She reached her hand up and put it on his cheek.
    “This is good,” she whispered.
    “Very good.”
    “I think it will be soon.”
    “I agree. Try to eat something tonight. The soup would be good.”
    “I’ll try.”
    “Ava?”
    “Hmm?”
    “I’m very proud to be your mate. I know you’ll be a wonderful mother.” He heard the sniffling and lifted his head. “Again?”
    “I can’t help it when you say things like that.”

    WHEN they dream-walked that night, they were on the beach Ava loved. It was north of Malibu, and the cliffs rose above their heads while the sun glistened on the ocean swells.
    “Do you miss home?” Malachi asked.
    She sank into the sand and pointed her feet toward the lapping waves. She was still pregnant in their dreams, but she moved with more ease.
    “I don’t miss home. Not exactly.”
    He sat down and immediately understood. “You miss your mother.”
    “Yes.”
    “You will see her soon.”
    She leaned against his shoulder and breathed in balmy ocean air. The salt and sand of the Pacific washed over them as they rested in the shallow surf.  
    He heard laughter in the