Rune hovered in the background as Ash explained that he was feeling nauseous, shaky, and tired.He had the same symptoms as Twig and Yorga.
That made three of the king’s siblings who were ill.
That couldn’t be a coincidence.Palmer had gone into this thinking that he was dealing with an illness, but the fact that only Killian’s siblings seemed to have it was making him rethink that.Why wasn’t anyone else sick?
This wasn’t something he could talk about in front of Ash, though.He wasn’t even sure he should mention it in front of Rune.He didn’t want to freak him out, but at the same time, it seemed like someone was targeting Killian’s siblings, and Rune was one of them.
Were they being poisoned?It was the only explanation that made sense, and while Palmer didn’t want to believe that anyone would do something like that, he wasn’t naïve.He knew of at least one dragon who would happily poison her half-siblings to get back at the king.
But he couldn’t accuse Pearl without proof.He was pretty sure that accusing Pearl at all would be dangerous, but he wasn’t going to let her or whoever was behind this hurt people.He was a doctor.His role was to protect and heal, and that was what he’d do.
He took as many notes as he could, but there was nothing surprising in what Ash told him.He had the same symptoms as the other two, and Palmer wasn’t sure what to do.He didn’t prescribe the same treatment because it hadn’t been working, so he told Ash to get lots of rest and hydrate and to come back to the infirmary if anything changed, for the better or the worse.He watched Ash go, waiting until the infirmary door was closed to turn to Rune.“I think someone is trying to hurt your siblings.”
Rune frowned.“It does seem too big of a coincidence that only they’re ill.”
Palmer was relieved that he wasn’t the only one thinking that.“I haven’t had anyone else coming in with the same symptoms.So far, it’s only the three of them.”
“And they’re all related to Killian.”
“And Pearl,” Palmer suggested.
Rune didn’t look surprised or offended.He nodded slowly, clearly considering the idea.“I think we need to talk to Killian.”
Palmer agreed, but part of him was worried.What if Killian decided that he wasn’t doing a good enough job?What if the king kicked him out of the palace?Palmer didn’t want to lose his opportunity to learn and become a better doctor, both for humans and dragons, but at the same time, he couldn’t avoid the conversation.If someone was doing something to these dragons, the king needed to know.It didn’t matter what would happen to Palmer.
Palmer told himself not to be an idiot.Killian was a good king.He wouldn’t blame Palmer for something he had nothing to do with.Now that Palmer suspected this wasn’t a virus or an illness, he could start researching the symptoms from another angle.If someone was poisoning Killian’s siblings, Palmer would have to find out how they were doing it and what they were using.
And he would.
* * * *
RUNE WAS FREAKING OUT.Palmer was right when he said this couldn’t be a coincidence.If this was an illness, more people would be sick.Instead, it was only three of the siblings, and no one that wasn’t related to him and Killian.
Something was definitely happening.
Rune didn’t want to think that Pearl had anything to do with this.There was no love lost between them and never had been, but they were still related.Why would she hurt her siblings?Rune would understand if she’d been trying to hurt Killian, but Twig?He’d never done anything to her.Rune wasn’t even sure they’d ever talked to each other.
Pearl didn’t actually care about any of her siblings.She cared about becoming queen, and to do that, she had to go through Killian.Twig had nothing to do with this, though.If she was hurting him, she was doing so to get to Killian.
“I’ll check on Twig quickly,” Palmer murmured.“I think we should talk to Killian once I’m done.”
“I agree,” Rune told him.“I’ll text him to see if he’s available.”
“He will be if you tell him we think we know what’s going on.”
Rune wanted to check in on Twig, too, but he trusted Palmer, so he didn’t hesitate to step away.Texting Killian didn’t take long, and after Killian confirmed that he’d be waiting for them, Rune had to wait for Palmer to be done.He did so as he tapped his foot, wondering who would be next.
He didn’t know how Pearl was doing this or even if it was actually her, although Rune couldn’t think of anyone else who would do it.If she’d poisoned Twig, how had she done it?How had she poisoned Yorga and Ash?Rune didn’t think they were close to Pearl.He’d never noticed them with her, anyway.
“All done,” Palmer suddenly said, startling Rune.Rune smiled at him, and Palmer smiled back, but it was obvious to both of them that they were nervous.
“Killian is waiting for us,” Rune explained.
“Good.The sooner we do this, the better.I don’t want to be away from the infirmary for too long.”
“How is he?”
Palmer glanced at Twig, who was now awake and sitting up in bed.He looked the way he had since he’d arrived here—too pale and a little shaky.
