His mind is so strong. Mhal's thoughts fill with awe. Here, Jenny, let me share it. He opens his mind and then mine fills with furious, hungry baby. It's the sweetest thing, and it fills me with an envious ache. I wish I could hear it like he could, all the time.
Just like I wish I could touch minds with Michael, Mhal sends to me. I understand. He gazes down at our newborn son, and I've never seen a man of any species—human or drakoni—so utterly full of joy.
"Let's get you all cleaned up and get that afterbirth taken care of," Melina says to me, all business. "Then I'll leave you all alone."
I have a few minutes to rest. Mhal introduces the baby to Michael while I “birth” the placenta and then Melina changes the sheets, gives me water, and washes me up. She hurries away, and I suspect she's off to tell Azar all about our healthy baby. I'm so tired that my eyes want to flutter closed, but I need to stay up. Our son needs to be fed, and…I just want to kind of gaze at him for a while and drink him in.
His name is Arthromathan, Mhal tells me reverently as he returns to my side with the wrapped bundle. He washed our son, who did not like that, either, and a fussy, furious baby with a big name is placed to my breast.
Oh. I know that name. He told me it in my dream. "Hello, Arthromathan," I say softly, gazing down at the infant that presses his mouth to my skin, not sure how to suck. It takes a moment to show him, and then he latches on, the sensation odd but…kind of soothing. His little face is flushed, his skin pale like mine, but with his father's scale pattern and the wild golden hair of his dad. His eyes are squeezed closed, but I'm positive they'll whirl with emotional color, just like the other half-drakoni babies.
Maybe I'm biased, but he's the prettiest one yet, and I have no doubt he'll be the strongest.
A small body creeps next to the bed, and Mhal lifts Michael into his arms so he can see.
"Arthromathan," Mhal says to Michael, gesturing at the baby. The word is clumsy in his mouth, but there's such pride in Mhal's face that it makes me ache. Can a human body stand so much happiness all at once? I feel like I'm overflowing with it.
"That's a big name," Michael says. "Are we gonna shorten it like we do mine? Can we call him Art?"
"Oh, I don't think so." I smile at my other son—because he's just as much mine now as the one at my breast. "Names are very important to the drakoni. A long name is a sign of strength."
"But Mhal's name is short," Michael says. "And he's the strongest guy I know."
I keep waiting for Mhal's thoughts to flare with offense, but he's so good with Michael. With all kids, really. He just hugs the boy and grins, his chipped tooth flashing. Tell him that I was too much for this world. Imagine how strong I would be if I had my full name.
I pass it on, and Michael's face lights up. "I want a long name, too. I don't want you to call me Michael, Jenny. I need a super long name like Ar…Ar…"
"Arthromathan," I say, and the name feels as comfortable on my tongue as my own. It's like a memory that's suddenly returned. Of course my son's name is Arthromathan. It fits him perfectly, and I can't wait for him to grow into it.
"Like him," Michael agrees.
If he wishes a name of power, let us give him one, Mhal sends affectionately.
"What's your middle name?" I ask Michael.
"Andrew."
"Michael Andrew," Mhal repeats. "Michaelandrew."
The delight on his face is perfection. To think that I didn't want to come back to the fort.
We would have missed out on our first son, Mhal agrees. Arthromathan was wise to guide us back here through your dreams.
My dreams. They've been quiet as of late.
It is because our son protects you. All the children do. Their minds grow stronger all the time. Mhal is full of awe as he gazes down at our newborn son. They talk to others in forts a long flight away. Soon, it will be time to take care of the Rift.
I look forward to it. I'm ready to face the next chapter in our world.
With my Mhal and my boys at my side, I'm ready to face anything.