I passed my chamber, anxiously awaiting the physician. My feet grew tired as my back ached. James sat in a wing-backed chair nearest the fireplace, his eyes closed and his hands resting atop his head.

How can he be sleeping at a time like this?

Mother stood near the window, watching helplessly as I paced. My body tingled with anticipation as we waited for what seemed like ages. My heart nearly leaped from my chest when a loud bang erupted from the door.

"Enter! Enter!" I bellowed.

The old oak doors creaked open as the four frail, white-haired men walked in wearing the typical black robes and white collar typical for a physician. My physicians had jeweled collars about their shoulders. Rubies and sapphire rings adored their fingers.

All the money the crown pays them better be worth it today.

I pursed my lips as a few page boys followed close behind with a large table covered in various carafes and glassware. The physicians talked amongst each other for a few moments while the boys arranged various bowls of liquid on the table.

"Oh bother with all of this! It is taking entirely too long."

"Please, be patient Princess Evelyn. We will all know soon enough if what you say is true."

"I already know. I am with child."

"Just humor the rest of us, Evelyn," my father said from near Mother.

"It'll help ease the minds of the people." James stood and strode towards me, running his hands up and down my arms.

"I know. I know. I'm just so anxious. I mean, I'm...we're going to have a baby!" My stomach churned as I sat down. "Oh God, I'm going to have a baby."

"Evelyn, this is amazing news. This is what our countries need."

"Is that the only reason we should bring a child into such a world? Such a cruel and unkind world?" I pondered. Not really to James, but out loud nonetheless.

"Of course not. The child is a product of our love. And the future king, or queen, of England and Scotland."

"Yes, I know. It is important to carry on the lineage. We need future rulers of our countries. I'm not talking about that though."

I stood and walked toward the fireplace.

"Then what?" Mother inquired.

"The Guild. I'm worried what the Guild will do once they learn of our precious news."

Nobody responded. I don't think anybody knew how to respond. They knew the Guild was a big threat.

"We are ready your majesties." The oldest of the four men said, ushering me to the stool chamber. "Princess, please give us an adequate amount in this carafe please."

I furrowed my brow as I looked at the tall vase-looking glass. I had to fill it up.

I sat in the small room, listening to the muffled noise from beyond the door. Finishing up, I hurried out and handed what I had produced to the physicians. Curiously, I watched as they filled various bowls and vials with the sunflower-colored liquid. The physician in the middle picked up a large glass of wine and poured it into one of the bowls. Cocking my head to the side, I strained to hear what they spoke. They stroked their beards and nodded their heads before moving on to the next bowl. I saw a long blue ribbon being dunked into the bowl they focused on before their murmuring commenced.

"Well? What say you?" James asked, pacing about the table.

"We have a few more tests to go through."

"Come, come now men! You've already done two. What say you?"

The four men spoke softly to one another before turning to the rest of us. "Even though we would prefer to finish the tests, both we've done thus far indicate that the Princess is indeed with child."

The door connecting my room to Charlotte's burst open. "You're going to have a baby!"

"Oh for heaven's sake, Charlotte!" My mother grasped her chest as Charlotte jumped up and down about the room.

James wrapped me in a large hug and held me close.

I smiled for a moment, only for it to fade away.

I locked eyes with one of the physicians before looking away quickly. "You are not pleased with our answer?"

"I am. Very much. I am excited and nervous. I have just realized that dear Elizabeth will not be here to celebrate with us.

All grew silent, remembering the somber event just a few short weeks beforehand. The time had gone by so fast. I didn't realize that one person could leave such a large, empty space in your life as Elizabeth had done. The wound I had sustained healed shortly after the incident happened. Being immortal seemed to give me remarkable healing abilities.

The baby. What will she be like? Is she going to be a dragon heart? Will she need to bond? What will become of her?

As everyone stood about the room talking happily and making plans for my child, I stood near the window, staring out into the cloudless night. The stars and moon shone brightly over the city. The guards marched up and down streets, lights slowly went out amongst the houses, while a few people walked about the darkened area. Celebrations would begin in just a few short days to announce the pending arrival of a new royal. The night was serene. There was no sense of emergency or peril in the air.

I felt uneasy.

"What's wrong?" A low breath growl asked from far to the right.

"Absolutely nothing apparently."

"You're worried."

"Of course I am Draco. I am with child. The Guild is still alive."

"Perhaps they will leave you alone now."

"Why would they?" I gripped the window sill, tears brimming in my eyes. "They never left my mother alone. She was their fiercest assassin. Now that her daughter is bonded to a dragon and destined to be one herself, and with child, why would they ever leave me alone? My line is growing, not dying."

"All this worry is not good for the child."

"I know. But my child..."

"She shall be fine."

"How do you know?" I asked, glancing over at him.

He snorted a small fireball into the darkness. "I'm a dragon. I know these things."

A smile played on my lips. "Is that how it works? You become a dragon and know all?"

"Become? Sweet girl, I was born a dragon. Hatched and raised on the cliffs like all the rest."

"Most." I reminded him.

"Like most." He shot a small bit of fire at me. "Are you sad you will be the same as me."

I shook my head at him. "I am actually very excited. Sad, but I am excited."

"Why are you sad about it?"

"Because I'll have to die," I muttered.

"Dying isn't so bad."

"It's not the dying part. It's leaving everyone behind. The pain I feel now for Elizabeth's death is excruciating, having to put all those here through that again seems almost cruel."

"All creatures die, Evelyn."

"Not all, Draco."

"You're an exception. A very special exception."

"What will become of my daughter?" I asked.

"She shall grow to become a magnificent queen."

I nodded my head as a tear hit the wood beneath my hands. "Will she die?"

"One day, yes, she will die. As all those in the room, there will die."

"How do I handle the deaths of those I love when it comes time? How did you?"

"Evelyn, there is no one way any being handles the death of those that they hold dear to them. It is a vicious, but necessary part of our life cycles. We are born innocent and ignorant of the cruelties and harshness of the world and grow to either accept them and live life as it is or we grow to fight and change things for the betterment of all. There are those who will sacrifice all to make sure their loved ones live. Even if that means their life will end sooner. But in the end we all end up the same. Dead. Our life cycles are limited and when it is time for us to exit this world, it will be our time. Nobody knows when it is time to go, but it is not something to fear. It is something to embrace. It is something to welcome. It's the newest phase of your life."

"I suppose so."

"All will be well, dear princess."

"I hope so, Draco." Chewing my bottom lip, I looked over at the mighty dragon. "How will I die?"

He shook his scaly head at me. "You know I cannot tell you such things."

"Will it be soon?"

He looked at me, his deep amber eyes still and peaceful. "It will not be before your time is up."

"That does not help me at all, Draco."

"You know I can't give you any more information than that."

"I don't want much."

"Just to know what no person in this world knows."

I shrugged my shoulders and wiped at my eyes.

"Evelyn?"

"Hmm?" I mumbled.

"Are you alright?" My mother asked.

"Fine."

"What are you doing?"

"Go," Draco whispered.

"Nothing. Just, looking outside."

I turned back to everyone. Their cheeks rosy and their eyes twinkling. They were so happy and cheerful, rightfully so. This was a happy time.

"Your father and I are going to participate in the jousting tournament."

I shook my head and sighed heavily.

"What?" James asked.

"I hate jousting. It's so unnecessarily violent."

"This coming from you?"

"I am only violent when I need to be. Not because I want to be. Just be careful. Don't leave me a widow just yet."

James laughed and winked. He thought I was being silly, I wasn't. I was being serious.

Dead serious.