first crack, it could take hours for anything more to happen. He had plenty of time.
Standing, he gently carried the egg upstairs and placed it in the incubation box. There really was no reason to fetch Tauran yet. Tauran was more than likely busy, and he’d be wasting hours staring at a tiny crack in an egg. As Kalai took the stairs down two at a time, he thought he really should wait until something more exciting happened. He strode outside and approached the guard leaning against the wall beside the door.
“Fetch Tauran Darrica,” he said sternly. “Tell him it’s urgent.”
There was no way he could keep this to himself. To his surprise and relief, the guard obeyed.
Kalai lingered by the upstairs window overlooking the streets, listening closely for the sound of horse hooves.
Tauran was definitely busy. He worked for the guard. Kalai wouldn’t be his first priority.
But the sound came sooner than he’d expected, and he felt a sting of guilt when Tauran exited the carriage, expression tense and worried. Kalai should have probably told the guard why his request was so urgent, but a part of him wanted to keep the experience between the two of them. No doubt, the news of the egg hatching would bring the entire Sky Guard to his doorstep.
Kalai descended the stairs at the same time as Tauran pounded on the door, then pushed it open before Kalai made it to the final step. Their eyes met, Tauran’s gaze full of worry, but before he could ask, Kalai gripped him by the shoulders and said, “the egg is hatching!”
Tauran’s expression transformed from fear to surprise to excitement. Kalai held onto his hand as they scaled the stairs. When he headed for the incubator, Tauran hesitated.
“Come!” Kalai urged, and gently picked up the egg, carrying it to the bed. “Look.”
Tauran went, settling down on the bed. Kalai tilted the egg and pointed to the tiny crack on the side.
“It’s happening,” Tauran murmured, the first words he’d spoken since arriving. He rubbed a gentle thumb across the crack. His hand shook faintly. The hesitation in him lingered.
“It’ll be a while yet,” Kalai said. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to interrupt your work, but I couldn’t sit with this alone.”
“Did you alert the guards?”
Kalai rolled his lip between his teeth. “... No,” he said, slowly. “I figured it’s still early.”
“Falka should know.” Despite his words, Tauran made no move to get up. “But you’re right,” he added. “No need to alert the Sky Guard yet.” He blew out a breath and ran a hand over his hair, brushing loose a golden curl. “Shit, Kalai. I thought something bad had happened.”
“I’m sorry,” Kalai said again, heat curling in his belly, but Tauran shook his head.
“You made the right call. Let’s just... take it easy for now.”
“I’ll make some tea.” Kalai got up, stroking Tauran’s shoulder as he passed him. They were in for a long wait.
CHAPTER 18
Tauran was fairly certain he had drunk more ginger tea in the past six hours than he had in his entire life up to that point. For each passing hour, he grew more restless. He wished he could go for a run to get the energy out of his system, yet he didn’t want to take his eyes off the egg for a second.
Kalai assured him he could go to the bathroom without risk, but he still rushed to get back upstairs.
“I can hear her,” Tauran whispered. He lay stretched out on his belly, hands folded under his chin. The egg sat in front of him in a nest of blankets.
“You should try talking to her,” Kalai said. He sat beside the bed, unpacking the supplies Tauran had brought for the hatchling. Tauran didn’t know how he managed to look so calm. Kalai had to be every bit as anxious as he was.
“I don’t know what to say,” Tauran said, frowning at the egg.
When Tauran looked at him, Kalai was smiling. “I don’t think it matters. Encourage her. Tell her we can’t wait to meet her.” He stretched across the bed and gently patted the shell. “Pick her up and let her know you’re watching over her.”
“You’re much better at this than me,” Tauran murmured. He pushed up, and gently, very gently, placed the egg onto his lap. He wondered if anybody had ever seen a titan this young. Maybe the Sharoani dragon masters had, but no Kykarosi, that was certain. “We’re making history.”