Disclaimer: I don't own anything connected to the Kiesha'Ra series.
Chapter 4:
Kel focused her attention on her opponent. Her blood sang with the effort of fighting. She parried the blow and struck one of her own, easily maneuvering her opponent. She saw through Ailbhe's feint and prepared for the blow…then hit the ground. Ailbhe just managed to pull the blow, not striking full force. "Kel!" His sharp voice penetrated the fog she was in. Kel blinked, confused. Ailbhe helped her stand upright. She had been fine for two months. "I think I need to sit down." Ailbhe walked with her inside. "I'm getting Rei," he said flatly.
Kel spent the next quarter of an hour arguing with Betsy. She insisted that she was fine; the crow refused to believe her. Giving in to the inevitable, she conceded the argument. "You're pregnant," Betsy announced after twenty minutes. Kel stared in shock. "I'm what?" Betsy sighed. "You're going to have a child." Kel barely heard her lecture about taking care of herself. "I have to talk to Rei," she said. "I will tell him. You need to rest."
"Betsy, I need to talk to him. About…things we'll both be worried about."
"I'm your doctor, it's my decision."
"Betsy, I promise I will rest. Just…let me talk to him myself." Her eyes pleaded with the doctor. The crow sighed slightly. "For five minutes. I can't believe I'm even allowing this." She called for Rei.
"Kel! What happened?" Despite her fears, Kel felt an incredible joy. "Rei, I…I'm fine."
"Then why are you in bed?" He sounded skeptical. "I'm pregnant," Kel said in a rush. He stared in shock. She recognized the mixture of fear and delight that spread across his face. "Kel, what will happen…"
"Rei, we are both falcon born. The child will be pure-blood."
"And if he or she inherits our magic?"
Kel swallowed. "Rei, we are both bound. You know how unlikely that is." She felt another fear. "Rei, please tell me you're happy."
"Of course I am," he whispered forcefully. "I can't believe…" he hugged her, to her delight. Betsy cleared her throat. "Sleep. Now." Kel felt the same mischievous impulse that hit her so often. She leaned forward and hugged her pair bond again, ignoring the scandalized reaction of the doctor. The woman shooed Rei out and glared at Kel. "I will count to five…" Kel was asleep in moments. Betsy shook her head. The young woman was impossible. She went to find Valene. Betsy knew that falcons did not always carry their children to term, and Kel tended to be restless. Betsy wanted to know anything that Valene could tell her.