"Mom, I think I might be pregnant."
The expression on her mother's face was a mix of shock, confusion, and a hint of anger.
"What? What do you mean, 'pregnant'?"
"Mom, Tyrone left me a letter, in which he stated that he was an oracle dragon, who could see the future. He also wrote that I was pregnant, and I will give birth to a baby girl," Trinity tried to explain.
"Look, I'm confused! If what you say is true, then Tyrone should have known that he'll... why didn't he say anything? He could have saved himself and his brother!"
"Everything happens for a reason, mom. Emeralda has a mate, somewhere, and since she had a twin, she wouldn't have ever found him, because twins are basically one dragon who is split into two..."
"How about he himself. If he knew you're carrying his child, why didn't he do something to save himself?"
"Because seeing him die triggered a part of me that I didn't know existed. I felt the power of not only Alexandra, but also her daughter. I felt like I am her," Trinity tried explaining without sounding like a complete idiot.
"Sorry for asking, but when did you and Tyrone.... you know... do it?" Dorin asked awkwardly.
"Mmooommm"
"Rin, I need to know."
"On my birthday."
"That's it? Only once?"
"I think we're done here!" Saying this, Trinity started to walk away, when Dorin grabbed her arm.
"Rin, I know it's awkward to talk about this, but as a doctor and your mom, I need to know."
"Why?"
"Because if there is even a slight chance that what you're saying is true, then you cannot go into battle..."
"Mom, I have to kill him. Don't worry, because he also wrote that I'll win this war; and I trust him."
"As a witch, I'm so proud of you. As a mother, we need to talk about this when Patrick returns home."
Trinity smiled a little, "yes mom," she said, feeling satisfied knowing her mom will support her.
Spending the night was hard. Trinity felt like her mate's scent was everywhere. Looking at the ring on her finger, Trinity smiled, while tears ran down her cheeks. She had only known him for a few months. Why was it hurting so much?
She touched her chest, and remembered the scale. His scale was on her, a part of him was on her, which also meant a part of her died with him; her scale.
The next morning, everyone gathered under the mango tree. One of the dragons was also a religious leader, and he performed the final funeral rights. This was not like normal funerals, it was a dragon funeral, so they all were in their dragon forms, except Dorin, Patrick and Derek. They had heard about the funeral and had returned to say their final goodbyes.
After burying them, each dragon gave them a bit of their breath, so that they will have air in the afterlife, and the soil above them would harden, so no evil would enter with them to the beyond.
Back in human form, Emeralda and Trinity each gave a speech about the fallen loved one.
"Trinity, can we talk?" Patrick asked, after knocking on her closed bedroom door. It was now evening, and things had settled down. Trinity was feeling horrible, but knew she had to stay strong for her child. No signs had shown yet, so she guessed she wasn't pregnant yet? If that made sense.
"Y...yeah! Come in," she replied, still sitting on the corner of the bed, a letter clutched to her heart, and a soap over her nose.
"I just wanted to check on you. How are you?" The short man walked in, and sat on the chair near the bed.
"Umm... I'm doing okay, I guess," Trinity replied, putting the letter and soap aside.
"If you need anything, or someone to talk to, your mom and I are always here for you. You can talk to us any time you like."
"Thanks dad."
The older man smiled as he nodded, and left the room, closing the door after him.
Back in his own room, Patrick and Dorin were talking... "I don't think you should leave her alone. She's too... broken!" Patrick said to his wife, as he sat on the bed. "I met her today, and I could see that she was hurting inside; yet she said she was okay."
"I know, but I'm worried pushing her to talk, or trying to support her when she doesn't want us around could be fatal."
"Fatal?"
"You should have seen her battle against that massive black dragon. It was like that girl wasn't Trinity, but someone else entirely!" Dorin said, admiration lacing her voice. "That dragon stood no chance..." her voice trailed off, as she remembered what Trinity had told her. Should she tell her husband about her daughter's supposed pregnancy? Or should she just keep it between them?
"Honey, what's wrong?" Patrick asked, sensing the discomfort on his wife's face.
"It's nothing, just that that dragon isn't dead yet, and Rin has to face him again... I hope everything goes as planned..." Dorin put on a fake smile, and assured Patrick. She knew her husband all too well. If he found out that there was a chance Trinity is carrying another life inside her, he would never let her put her life in danger, telling them all things that could go wrong legally. He is an honest man of law. Coming from a poor family, he had worked really hard to reach where he is now, and he will never put that reputation at risk.
One other reason that Dorin fell head over heels for him was the way he cared for Trinity. He would always make sure to ask Trinity how she was and what she wanted to do in her life. He would always tell Dorin not to scold her and would always warn her that he'd tell his boss, Dorin's lawyer, to take legal action against her if he saw Dorin scolding her daughter. Trinity would always laugh and play with Patrick, and that was one reason why she said yes to a date.
He had always told Dorin that he has two children, Trinity and Derek. He never saw her as someone else's blood, and when Trinity called him by his name, it killed him a little inside. That is one reason that she always told her daughter to call him 'dad'.
There are so many situations where he will gladly support her; but not this... especially when it involves not only the life of his daughter, but also his first grandchild.