I felt something pushing against my back.

I was lying against my mother's stomach, her arm draped limply over my shoulder. I wiggled around to face her, to look for what had pushed against me, but there was nothing between us. Puzzled, I poked gently at her dress, looking for something hidden behind it, but all I felt was her slightly swollen belly. I frowned, confused and wondering if I'd just imagined it.

Then I felt it again, this time against my hand where I'd rested it against Mother's stomach. It startled me and I withdrew my hand immediately, my heart pounding. Great Feathered Serpent, what was that?

I cautiously set my hand against her stomach again and this time kept it there when I felt the bulge slide under my hand. "What is that?" I whispered.

"Your brother," mother whispered. I hadn't noticed she'd awakened.

"Truly?"

She nodded. "He's started moving already."

"Is he supposed to do that?"

"He is. You did the same."

"You carried me in your belly too?" I asked, amazed. "Did you also swallow a piece of jade to put me in there?"

Mother laughed. "No, I didn't. How you came to be in there, well, that's a discussion best left for when you're a bit older."

I set my ear against her stomach. "Do you think he'll talk to me?"

"He won't talk for quite a long time."

That was a disappointment but I couldn't deny the joy I felt at having finally felt proof that I was going to be a sister.