“Any sharp pain when you breathe?”
“No.”
“That’s what I like to hear. Okay, I’m going to give you some medical support for your ankle. But since Lawrence brought you in, I’m assuming you’d also be open to magical treatment?”
“What kind of magical treatment?” Lu asked before I could.
“I have a healer who stops by every once in a while.” He walked over to a large, low cabinet. “We like to keep each other up to date on some basic treatment practices. Anti-inflammatories, non-narcotic pain relievers, sleep aids, that sort of thing. She left me a few of her wares.” He opened the door, revealing shelves and drawers, some of them labeled, but most of them not.
He tugged a drawer and riffled through the contents before pulling out a small hoop earring made of twine. “You don’t have pierced ears,” he said, turning to me. “Would you consider it?”
I shot a look Lu’s way. She tipped her head; her face softened with quiet consideration.
“Why should I?”
“It would be the easiest way to use this for your concussion.” He pressed the loop of twine against my earlobe.
My unending headache stopped so quickly, I sucked in a fast breath that started a coughing fit. “Gods,” I said through the hacking. Then when I could talk again: “That’s good.”
“You’d look nice with an earring,” Lu admitted.
“Or I could just carry it in my pocket.”
“It’s not strong enough at that distance.” He moved it away from my ear and placed it on my shoulder.
The headache steamrollered over my brain. I shaded my eyes against the brightness of the lights.
“Will it just block the pain, or will it also help heal his concussion?” Lu moved away from the door and stood next to me, her hand between my shoulder blades.
“She said it aides in healing, but it’s not an overnight fix. More of a time-release remedy. Slow, but effective.”
“And it’s for concussions?”
“Yes. She’s working on one for migraines, which she assures me is a more difficult thing to treat.”
“Once he’s healed, what do we do with the earring?”
“I didn’t say I wanted to get my ear pierced.”
“You can keep it. I don’t know if it will retain its healing magic or if it will be drained. If you don’t want to keep it, please return it to me. I will give it back to her, and perhaps she will be able to recharge it.”
“Not sure I want a hole in my ear,” I mumbled.
“We’ll do it.” Lu gently squeezed my shoulder.
It wasn’t like her to trust strangers, but she had a sharp instinct for someone who was trustworthy. Apparently, she trusted this man.
“Do you pierce ears, doc?” I asked.
“Not professionally, but I can get it done.”
“Which ear?” I asked Lu. “You’re gonna see it more than I will.”
Her gaze shifted across my face, deciding. “Left. Unless it matters?” she asked Dr. Ladd.
“Either works. Just need an earlobe.”
“Left it is,” I agreed.
