Cinder pulled the soft blanket over her head, sighing deeply. She was exhausted. And sore. And exhausted. And sore.

But her egg was perfect, healthy and sand yellow, just like in her dream. Rye, Whisky, and Pina Colada were in the room, watching the egg as Cinder rested.

There was a thump outside the hut. Someone had landed on the beach. Half asleep, Cinder couldn't be bothered to move.

"What are you doing here?" Rye's voice hissed, dripping with hostility. Oop. Might be a problem. Time to wake up, Cinder.

"I know I was an idiot," said a familiar voice. Cinder's traitorous heart jumped with joy, no matter how angry she was at him. "I'm sorry. Has Cinder laid the egg yet? Is she alright?"

"She's perfectly fine." That was Whisky's voice this time, and she also sounded mad. "Without you, I might add. She doesn't need you."

Cinder managed to open her eyes and raised her head weakly. Pina Colada, standing nervously next to Cinder's nest, smiled awkwardly at her. "Do you want us to make him leave?" She asked quietly.

Cinder shook her head. "I w-want to talk to him. I want to yell at him, for being such a hippo-headed camel face."

"Let him in," Pina Colada called to Rye and Whisky. "Cinder wants to see him." Treason shouldered his way past the two dragonesses and into the hut, his eyes locking with Cinder's. Everyone else quietly left. And then he turned his head and saw the egg.

"So... I guess you did lay it already," he finally said.

"Obviously! It's right in front of you!" Cinder snapped.

He flinched, which was a very non-Treason-like thing to do, and tilted his head at her. "Do you feel okay?" He asked.

"Why do you care?" She growled. "No, I don't. Usually dragonesses have their mates there to comfort them when they're pushing a flipping egg out of their body."

"I'm sorry for leaving," Treason told her sincerely. "Really. I just... I guess I got scared. I never expected this."

"Scared?" She echoed dubiously. "You? I've seen you fight off hoards of soldiers without a speck of fear."

"Because I can fight," he explained. "I'm not scared of soldiers because I know I can defeat them. I already know I'm good at it. But this... being a father... I have no way to know if I'll be good at that. You know?"

Cinder's heart softened. "I guess. But this doesn't mean you're off the hook."

He ducked his head. "I know," he said, and cast another glance at the egg.

"You can take a closer look at it if you want," Cinder offered casually, flicking her tail at the egg. "It's yours too."

With a nod, Treason took a step toward the egg and stared down at it, gently brushing his claws on the shell. "How long until it hatches?"

"Eight months, I think," Cinder answered.

Suddenly he was smiling. "That should be enough time for me to make you forgive me."

Cinder couldn't help but smile back. "If you're lucky, I might have already forgiven you."

"Really?" He asked hopefully.

"Maybe," she said firmly. "Maybe not. If I did it's because your adorable and it's impossible to stay mad at you."

THE END