Here's a brief bonus chapter. I wasn't able to fit it into the main story but loved the joke so much I wanted to put it out there anyway (also it lets Claudia do something instead of just being mentioned).


The next morning, Ezran held a meeting with his most trusted advisers to announce Callum and Rayla's news. They had gathered in the throne room, with additional chairs set out while Ezran stood in front of his throne. Any royal pregnancy would need to be formally announced before rumors and gossip could take hold, but it was especially important given the child's unique parentage. Once a plan was formed and letters to the nobility were being drafted, discussion naturally shifted to less serious topics.

"So, will the baby have horns?"

Rayla shrugged at Ezran's question. "I don't know."

"Will it have five fingers on each hand, or four?"

"I don't know."

"Will it have pointy ears, or round ones?"

"I. don't. know."

"Will it-"

"When we found out, the doctor fainted," Callum interjected. "So the answer to anything you ask is: 'we don't know until it comes out.'"

"Ahem," Claudia walked over to the throne where the three had been talking. "Can I borrow the happy couple for a minute?"

"Sure," Ezran smiled and stepped away.

"I wanted to give you guys something," Claudia said while rooting around in the satchel of ingredients she kept at her side. "You can't show this to anyone."

"Okay..." Rayla raised her eyebrow.

With a triumphant grin, Claudia whipped a small piece of torn paper from her satchel. She looked from side to side to make sure no one else in the room was watching the exchange too closely. Once satisfied, she pressed the paper in Callum's hands.

"Thanks, Claudia," Callum took the slightly crumpled paper. "What is it?"

"It's the secret recipe for my hot brown morning potion." She smirked, "A few months from now, you're gonna need all you can drink."