But he couldn’t stay.He had an appointment with Curran, who was reaching the end of his pregnancy and needed more frequent checkups.Palmer was excited to find out what would happen next.He’d read up on dragon pregnancies and what happened when they gave birth, if he could call it that.Curran would be laying an egg, and once he did, they’d have to keep the egg warm and safe until the baby was ready to come out.It wasn’t anything Palmer had ever seen, and he was both touched and excited by the fact that Curran had decided that he would be involved.It would’ve been much easier for Curran to choose a dragon healer, but that wasn’t what he wanted.
It was a bit confusing because Palmer didn’t understand why it seemed to be so important to Curran, but he wasn’t going to complain.He wanted to learn more about this kind of thing, but even more so, he felt like he and Curran were somewhat friends.
Things were a little different here at the palace.Normally, Palmer would never become friends with a patient, no matter how much he liked them.He never had in all these years of being a doctor, but he wasn’t in the human world anymore.He was in the dragon world, and clearly, here, that kind of thing didn’t matter.He was glad because he liked Curran, and he was invested in making sure that both he and the baby would be healthy.
He was late when he walked into the infirmary.Curran was already waiting for him, sitting on the bed and swinging his legs.He smiled as Palmer bustled over to his bed, stretching down on the mattress when Palmer gestured at him to.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” Palmer said as he started his examination after closing the curtains around them.
“I didn’t wait long, so it’s fine.It’s not like you to be late, though.”
“I was in the library with Rune.”
“Oh, I’m sure.”
Palmer blinked.“I’m sorry?”
Curran gestured at Palmer’s face.“I knew you were with Rune.You have your Rune smile on.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s the way you always smile when Rune’s involved.It’s a little soft and very happy.”
Palmer immediately wiped the smile off his face.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Curran laughed.“Sure you don’t.You don’t have to hide it from me, Palmer.I don’t care if you like Rune.Most people don’t.I know it can feel a little scary considering that Rune is Killian’s brother, and Pearl is involved, too, and of course, he’s a dragon and you’re not, but I’m pretty sure he likes you as much as you like him.”
How had they gone from Palmer examining Curran to Curran giving Palmer a pep talk about his love life?“There’s nothing between me and Rune,” he insisted.
“But not because you don’t want there to be anything between the two of you.The way you look at each other is precious, and I know all about your situation.I kept my feelings for Marlin hidden for many years.I didn’t think I had a chance, but I was wrong.If that’s what you’re afraid of, I don’t think you need to be.He’s definitely as into you as you are into him.He talks about you a lot.”
Palmer hadn’t realized that.It made him wonder ifhetalked about Rune a lot, but he was afraid to ask.He felt like Curran could see right through him, which probably wasn’t a good thing considering that Curran was right.
This situation was complicated.Not only was Rune a dragon, which wasn’t actually a problem because Palmer didn’t care, but he was also Killian’s brother, and like Curran had said, there was Pearl to consider.She really hated Palmer.She’d probably try to kill him if she found out he was dating her brother, and not because she cared about Rune.She wouldn’t want a human dating a dragon.There was nothing she could do about Hedley and Killian, but Rune and Palmer?That was an entirely different situation.They didn’t have Killian’s authority.They didn’t have bodyguards.
But Pearl wouldn’t be a problem forever.Killian would make sure of that.He and his people were working to find a way to stop her, which meant that hopefully, they would.
Even if they didn’t, would Palmer really let her stop him from what might happen with Rune?He hadn’t expected to fall for a dragon, and he wouldn’t say he was in love with Rune just yet, but he could see it happening easily.Hewantedit to happen.He liked Rune and the way he’d been behaving, especially when it came to Twig.He could see things changing between them, and he wanted them to.It was scary, but at the same time, it really wasn’t.Palmer was pretty sure that if he jumped, Rune would catch him, and in the end, wasn’t that what was most important?
* * * *
PALMER HADN’T BEENin the dining hall for dinner, which hadn’t been a surprise.Rune never expected him to be there these days.Palmer was spending all of his time in the infirmary, which made sense, but it also worried Rune.Palmer needed to eat before something happened to him, too.The last thing they needed was for him to exhaust himself, especially when they didn’t know what Pearl’s next move would be.Rune didn’t want to think that she would outright attack Palmer, but he couldn’t put it past her.
Maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing that Palmer was spending a lot of time in the infirmary.He was more protected there than walking around the palace.Rune disliked it when Palmer walked from the infirmary to the library or to his room on his own, but he’d stopped himself from saying anything about it.He didn’t want Palmer to feel like a prisoner, especially not coming from him.At the same time, he couldn’t stop wanting to take care of his doctor.
Which was why he was once again carrying a bag of food toward the infirmary.
Rune didn’t get there, though.He walked past the balcony just outside the infirmary, glancing out there as he did so.When he noticed the figure standing there, he stopped, wondering what Palmer was doing.This was like painting a target on his own back for Pearl to do something.Rune’s first instinct was to berate Palmer, but he didn’t.He wasn’t Palmer’s mother, and while he liked to think that he was Palmer’s friend, it wasn’t his place to tell him what to do or not do.He could tell him that he was worried, but when Palmer turned to face him, Rune realized that wouldn’t be the right words, either.Palmer already knew that Rune was worried.Everyone was.If he was here, there had to be a good reason.
Rune swallowed.“Everything okay?”he asked.
Palmer’s smile was reassuring.“Yeah, everything’s fine.Everyone is, too.You don’t have to worry.”
Rune found himself relaxing.For a moment, he’d thought something had happened to Twig.He’d been feeling better the last time Rune had talked to him, but he was one of Pearl’s targets.She might try to hurt him again.
Rune inched closer.“I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for saving my brother.”
“You don’t have to thank me.I did my job.”Palmer snorted.“In fact, I almost killed him.”
