Chapter 631: Inferno Retired (1/2)

”Where'd you put the fish dragon?”

”In the bathtub.” Sigh mumbled against Nix's neck, her tired eyes half-closed. ”Don't worry, I locked the door,” she added sleepily.

Nix puffed the young girl's red hair out of his face. She draped over him like a wet blanket and was dead to the world when the Inferno Leader exited the ranch house a few moments later.

”How'd it go with Raine?”

Nix turned in time to see the salamander drop her archon form; he smiled at Shae and accepted a kiss. ”About like you'd expect.”

Shae laughed and shook her head. ”With you, I never know what to expect.”

Nix nodded in agreement. ”My goal is to keep you guessing. Our little ghost pepper fell asleep again. Is it normal for salamanders to sleep so much?”

Shae pushed a hand through his arm and fell in step beside him. Reaching over, she pushed a strand of hair out of her daughter's face. ”It's normal, probably because she is a multi-elemental. That can be very taxing on the body.”

”Mhmm.” Nix didn't comment; although Sigh manifested lightning, two other elements were bubbling beneath the surface.

Shae grinned suddenly and leaned against him. ”I wonder where she gets her troublesome nature from.”

Nix laughed loudly. ”You know where!”

They shared a mutual look, each obviously blaming the other.

”What do you think of Mtui and Ellisand?” Shae effortlessly changed the subject. The banquet was meant to be a small gathering to celebrate the marriage between Breach Commander Mtui and Chiba. Instead, the ceremony itself turned into a huge affair that all of Sky Kingdom turned out for.

”She'll always be Chiba to me.” Nix shook his head sadly; in the years since the Deep Winter, many of the Inferno members had paired up.

*******Author's Note*************

Since this story has come to an end, I will release all the official pairings that took place in the background since Deep Winter.

(Chael & Nansu), (Fey & Muncie), (Morti & Snow), (Ducky & Pradi), (Chiba & Mtui), (Beta & Wind), (Jun Li & Nihlus), (Donri, & Lilac the Menace), (Banz & Wylie), (Floyd & Sori Dah), (Captain Locas & Yena), (Rabi & Mimi Zul), (Tess & Sindi), (Tai'Qui & Nix), (Nix & Del Tali), (Milat & Gypsy Rose).

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”Same here.” Shae nodded in agreement; when she thought of the spellsword, the image of a creepy old man always popped up, although the ring image was actually an old female.

”Hmmm?” Nix heard the sound of a galloping horse. Instantly he recognized the rider. ”What's Rand doing here?”

Shae shrugged slightly, ”Moonlight is due soon; perhaps your new Stable Master contacted her.”

Rand had been Nix's Stable Master for five years, as promised he'd given her a 'starter herd' to help her get going. She settled on the adjacent property, making it convenient for the two ranches to exchange bloodlines and keep the herds healthy.

”Moon is ready!” Rand shouted when she saw him; an instant later, she darted into the stable. As Haven's horse expert, she had a hand in nearly every birth. Her knowledge of illnesses, injuries, and behavior was extensive.

Shae stopped Nix and held out her arms. ”I'll take her.”

Nix transferred Sigh to her mother before bolting toward the stable.

A sleepy Sigh raised her head. ”Moon's giving birth? I wanna see.”

Shae pursed her lips slightly. ”You sure?”

Sigh nodded. ”Yep, Daddy already said I could have it.”

Shae laughed and angled toward the stable. ”Of course he did.”

Three people were observing Moonlight as she breathed heavily; her enormous sides heaved in and out. Rand, Nix, and the current Stablemaster Tobin gave her plenty of room.

Shae and Sigh watched from behind the stable gate.

”Where is Iceheart?” Sigh peeked between the bars, watching with wide-eyed anticipation. ”Shouldn't he be here? Why isn't Moon laying down?”

Shae pressed a finger to the young girl's lips to shush her. ”All horses birth differently. It's not uncommon for them to stand and then lie down several times during the process. That's why they are giving her a lot of space.”

”Oh...” Sigh stepped up on the first rail so that she could see better.

Iceheart was the white stallion that Nix stole from General Mizo Arcane. In the six years since then, despite being corraled with numerous in-heat females, he ignored every opportunity. Rand and Nix had concluded that Iceheart might be some sort of special hybrid. Unfortunately, sometimes hybrids lacked the drive to procreate.

After several rounds of standing up and lying down, Moon finally lay down. Her deep, heaving breaths seemed to be weakening.

”Something's wrong, Nix.” Rand moved to Moonlight's head, holding her steady while leaning over her to rub her distended abdomen.

Nix knelt behind Moon's flank. Sometimes horses kicked out during the birthing since Nix was more stout than Rand, he drew the short straw. ”Wait? Or reach in?”

”Wait a bit longer.” Rand was dressed in a single-piece jumpsuit that was immune to flames. Since many of their mares descended from a demonic fire line, it wasn't uncommon for them to burst into flames.

Nix nodded and patted the mare's flank. ”Easy girl, you got this.”

Shae watched for a few minutes before her perception alerted her. ”Nix, she's getting weaker. If you don't do something now...” She left the rest unsaid. Moonlight's life force was draining.

[Whisper: Rand to Nix] If we cut her open, we'll save the foal, but she'll die.

[Whisper: Nix to Rand] Can she still deliver naturally?

[Whisper: Rand to Nix] We could lose them both. Gotta make a decision one way or the other.

Nix exhaled and calmed himself. ”Going in. Given me the sleeves.”

Backed into a corner, Nix decided to assist by reaching into the birth canal. He pushed his hands in gently, stopping when he encountered the foal's hindquarters. ”Shit... It's turned.”

Rand shook her head slightly. ”Look for a front leg.”