Page 73 of My Salvation
“They own the skies and the canopies. They prefer it that way.”
“Could the queen do nothing?”
“Once she heard what was happening, she issued an edict that prevented any one group from acting in such a way that went against the fae’s values.”
“How was it received?”
“Supposedly, they began cracking the shells of eggs with baby birds too weak to break free themselves, but thus far, none have survived.”
“That’s bullshit.”
He shook his head. “The queen insisted on the fae observing hatchings for the following three decades after I was born. Since I am such an anomaly, the eagles think that the method they had was more humane. The babies simply fall asleep in their shells and pass peacefully. Once that shell is broken, the baby struggles to break free. If they’re too weak, they can suffocate from being unable to hold their heads up. They’re simply too weak to survive.”
“But…” She looked over to the cage that held the baby bird.
His hand covered hers. “Unhatched eggs are few and far between. Less than a dozen since I was born.”
“Do they have Elders? Could none of them help?”
He nodded slowly. “They do have Elders, and they did support the changes dictated by the queen.”
“Did they reach out to help you?”
He shook his head.
“Assholes. If I never see one in life, it will be too soon.”
He winced. “We may have to visit them.”
“Why on earth would we go see them if they treat you like shit?”
“We’ll need a nest.”
“A nest?”
He nodded.
Gears turned in her brain, and everything fell into place.
“Priest! Will I lay a motherfucking egg?”
“Maybe?”
“Maybe!”
“I don’t think there have ever been any eagle, fae matings before, so this is all uncharted territory.”
She pointed to the cage. “That’s why you brought me here! I’m going to have a baby bird.” She froze. “Oh, gods.”
Priest stood and rounded the table to kneel next to her. “Just for a week or so, then they’ll shift to their human form.” He took her hands. “And that’s if you even lay an egg.”
“Do you hear the words coming out of your mouth! If I lay an egg! Lay an egg!”
“It’s a part of what I am,” he said softly, looking dejected.
“I know that! It’s just…just… mother didn’t cover egg laying when I was a girl, Priest.”
He smiled up at her. “Neither did mine.”