Rune turned and arched a brow at him.“Really?What would you be doing if I hadn’t brought you food?”
Palmer gave him a sheepish smile.“I’d probably have forgotten to eat.”
“And how is that going to be useful to my brother?”
“You know, you sound likemybrother.He said the same thing a few nights ago when he visited me.He forced me to put down the books and take a walk with him.”
“He was right.Exhausting yourself definitely won’t help Twig.I worry about you, but I worry about my brother more, no offense.”
“No offense taken.I’d be the same way if Taylor was involved.”
But Taylor wasn’t.It was Rune’s brother who was ill, yet Palmer was behaving as if it was his own family.It was touching, but unfortunately, it didn’t help.
“Sit down,” Rune ordered gently.
As soon as Palmer was in his chair, Rune pushed several containers of food toward him.He’d grabbed a bit of everything because he didn’t know what Palmer would be in the mood for, and he was glad when he saw Palmer pick up a cherry tomato.It disappeared between his lips, and for a second, Rune couldn’t look away.
“I have an appointment with a dragon healer,” Palmer said.
Rune blinked.“Has my brother finally decided to allow you to talk to them?”
“No, but I have to make the decision for him now.This is getting too dangerous.”
Rune nodded.“All right.Do you mind if I’m there for the meeting?I don’t know if the healer will want me there, but I’m sure that if you insist, they won’t say anything about it.”
Palmer’s gaze softened.“Of course you can be present.In fact, I’d insist that you need to be.You’re working this case as much as I am.”
“I’m not a healer.”
“It doesn’t mean you don’t care.In normal circumstances, I wouldn’t want you there, but these aren’t normal circumstances.It’s not just that your brother is ill.It’s also that the king has ordered you to help me.The healers won’t be able to say anything about that.”
It was a relief.Rune and Killian had talked about what was happening to Twig.It had been a brief conversation, but it had been enough for Rune to see how worried Killian was.He’d even visited Twig a few times in the infirmary, to Twig’s own surprise.Killian cared, though.He wanted Twig to be okay.Hopefully, he would be, but that wouldn’t happen without healers.
“Thank you for everything you’re doing for my brother,” Rune said, reaching over to gently touch Palmer’s arm.
Palmer blinked at him.Rune knew that he should stop touching him, but he let his touch linger for just a few seconds longer.Palmer didn’t push him away.Instead, they stared at each other.They might have continued doing so if someone hadn’t knocked on the door.
Palmer visibly shook himself and called out for the person to come in.The door opened, and a nurse peeked in.“One of the king’s brothers is here,” they said, glancing at Rune.
“I know you’re not talking about Rune,” Palmer said, already getting up.“What’s going on?”
“It’s Ash.”
* * * *
PALMER DIDN’T KNOWall of Killian’s siblings by name.Hell, if he had to guess, he only knew a handful.They were the ones he had the most contact with, and of course, he knew Pearl.He was aware that Killian had many more half-siblings, though.His father had enthusiastically spread his seed around.Palmer had no idea who Ash was, but if the nurse said that the dragon was one of Killian’s brothers, Palmer believed her.He especially believed her because Rune was already on his feet, looking worried.
Palmer didn’t like where this was going.He had no idea why Ash was here, but he could take a wild guess.He was pretty sure that Rune felt the same way.
He left his office, knowing there was no time to waste and not one bit surprised when Rune followed him.The nurse guided them toward the bed next to Twig’s, who was still sleeping and had no idea what was happening around him.That was good.They didn’t have to add even more stress to his situation.
On the bed sat a dragon with short hair, the color of the ocean.It was almost green, but not quite, and while the color looked nothing like Rune or Killian’s, Palmer couldn’t deny the resemblance in their features.They were definitely related, even though Ash’s color was closer to green than blue.
Palmer plastered a smile on his face so that he wouldn’t look like he was freaking out and held his hand out.“My name is Palmer.”
Ash shook his hand without hesitation.“I know.I was hoping you could help me.”
“Why don’t you tell me what brought you here?”
