Lian lifted his hands and cleared his mind. Sparkles twinkled at the edge of his vision telling him he'd already expended too much energy. Canin still needed to be cured, however, and Lian couldn't stop.
"Heal," Lian murmured.
Red flames burst from his hands. Maurek let out a shout of surprise behind him.
"Goddess have mercy," Maurek vowed.
Lian focused on his patient and blocked out all outside noise. Goddesses oversaw every sentient planet. On his home world where most people were self-healers, a man who could heal with his touch had little value. When his abilities began to make themselves known, a goddess had visited Lian and told him one day he would find a place where he would be valued for his abilities. Lian still searched for that place. Somehow he doubted the goddess had been thinking of the dragon grounds.
Canin let out a scream when healing fires seared his wounds from the inside out. Lian knew from talking to previous patients that the flames didn't really hurt. Fear more than pain filled the injured. Only after his inner sight told him the man no longer had open sores or any contamination did Lian pull the back magic into his body.
Opening his eyes, Lian met Canin's expression of wonder. "You should be fine now. The rest of your wounds will heal on their own." Lian always stopped a bit early for serious wounds and gave the body a chance to catch up and finish the job.
"You have the goddess's right hand," the soldier whispered, a common expression across several worlds. To be the goddess's right hand was to have a divine gift.
Lian stood up and patted Canin on the shoulder. He concentrated on not passing out. It took effort. "Rest a few more days to regain your strength and you should be fine."
"You saved me," Canin whispered. "I would've died."
Lian nodded. "Possibly." He didn't know of any way to sugarcoat it and didn't feel the need to try. "Make sure to take it easy the next few days. Your wounds are healed, but you'll still be tender."
He turned his attention to Maurek. "If you'll excuse me I need to get to the medic center. They'll be expecting me about now." He pulled out a business card with a well-practiced motion. "Here's my com number. Call me if Canin has a relapse or if you need my help with anything else."
Lian bit back words of reproof regarding Canin's health. If Maurek's words were true, asking for a healer wouldn't have resulted in any assistance. The fact someone had obviously put out a call for a medic proved someone had an optimistic streak the dragon master didn't. Lian would definitely be reporting Bourne's actions to the medical governing board. Part of the code of ethics included a vow to help all who crossed their path whenever possible. To completely deny help to a group of people because you disliked them went against the code all professional healers were supposed to abide by.
Maurek guided Lian back across the dragon sands and to a row of hovercabs. "I'll pay to have you taken to the medic building."
Lian started to protest but Maurek cut him off. "Don't argue. You did us a favor and saved two of my men. The least I can do is shell out a few bucks for cab fare."
Giving up the fight, Lian nodded. "Thank you, Maurek. May the goddess guide your steps."
"And yours, Doctor," Maurek replied.
Lian slid into the cab and waved to Maurek as the driver pulled away from the curb and towards Lian's future for the next few months. Thoughts of Nevair drifted in his head. After he got settled, Lian would definitely be giving the sexy man a call. Oddly enough, he already missed him.
Chapter Three
The medic center consisted of a long low building with a red tile roof and several outbuildings scattered like leaves across the pale brown sand. An unassuming structure, it looked like every other medic hall Lian had encountered on other planets.
Despite having healed two people and a dragon back-to-back, Lian could feel his magic levels rising again even as his body screamed for rest. As a touch healer he couldn't let the power accumulate inside him too much or there were dangerous repercussions. Lian would do just about anything to avoid excruciatingly painful magical backlash, even work for a man who from all accounts redefined being a jerk. Someday Lian hoped to find a place to call his own.
The taxi driver waved goodbye before disappearing in a whoosh of airjets and a whirlwind of dust.
Lian entered the building, sighing as his thin-soled shoes met the cool tile beneath his heated soles. Bliss. He needed a nap in the worst way.
"Hello there."
Lian opened his eyes to meet the dark-eyed gaze of a slim man with a wiry frame and inquisitive brown eyes. His hair, a reddish-orange, flew in all directions as he approached Lian.
"Hello," Lian returned politely.
"You must be Dr Blythorpe. We were expecting you today," the man said, his tenor voice brimming with good cheer. "I'm Dr Jashwin Ellerby but everyone calls me El. I just know we're going to be great friends."
He took Lian's hand in a firm, but not crushing grip, shaking it vigorously.
"Nice to meet you, please call me Lian," he offered.
Not certain how good of friends they were going to be, he settled for giving the other man a small smile. He'd have to see how much Ellerby supported his superior's behavior before Lian allowed them to become too close.
