Palmer grinned before reaching for one.Rune watched him, wondering what Killian had been thinking by putting them together.Palmer didn’t need Rune to be hanging around while he read.In fact, he didn’t need Rune at all.
Rune cleared his throat.“I’m sorry I couldn’t help you with your pregnancy questions, but if you ever want to know anything else, feel free to ask me.I’ll always be happy to answer your questions.”
“I don’t want to be pushy or invasive.”
“Well, I have many questions about humans and their anatomy, so maybe you could answer those while I answer your questions about dragons?I feel it would be a good way to make this work.”Rune looked around at the books.“But I’m happy you’re going to read these.My father believed that this knowledge needed to be kept within the clan.He didn’t even want other dragon clans to benefit from it.He wanted our clan to be the most powerful and the strongest, but he went about it all wrong.”
“Considering he forced pregnancies on clan members, I’d agree with that,” Palmer said.“I think that the clan can be the strongest and the most powerful without all of that.It’s what Killian is building it to be.”
“He is.He’s doing an incredible job.”
That was clearly the right thing to say because Palmer relaxed.“I agree.Killian is a good king.”
“And I’m happy to work for him.”
“We both are.”
* * * *
PALMER MADE HIS WAYback to the infirmary after spending the morning in the library with Rune.His mind was still on the books he’d been reading and the detailed information about dragon pregnancy that he’d managed to absorb.It had been helpful, even if Rune hadn’t been able to answer his questions directly.The dragon had been nice.Nicer than Palmer had expected, actually.He’d been genuine in his offer to answer questions, and Palmer appreciated that more than he wanted to admit.
He was reviewing his mental notes when he noticed someone hovering near the entrance to the infirmary.A young dragon, sky blue, and looking hesitant.
“Can I help you?”Palmer asked, keeping his voice gentle.The dragon looked nervous, and Palmer didn’t want to make it worse.
“Are you Palmer?”the dragon asked.
“I am.And you are?”
“Twig.I’m Killian and Rune’s brother.”The dragon shifted on his feet, looking around the infirmary as if checking to see who else was there.“I heard you were working with Rune now.”
Palmer nodded slowly, wondering where this was going.“Killian assigned us to work together, yes.Is there something I can help you with?”
Twig hesitated, then stepped closer.“Maybe?I don’t know.It’s probably nothing.”
“Why don’t you come sit down and tell me about it?”Palmer gestured to one of the examination beds.“Even if it’s nothing, it’s better to check.”Especially considering who Twig was.
Twig followed him and sat down, though he still looked uncertain.“I just, well, I’ve been feeling off lately.Tired, mostly.And a bit nauseous, though I haven’t actually gotten sick.My muscles ache, too, like I’ve been exercising, but I haven’t.”
Palmer grabbed his notepad and started writing.“How long have you been feeling this way?”
“A few days?Maybe four or five?”Twig rubbed at his arm absently.“It’s not terrible.I thought maybe I was just tired because I’ve been staying up late reading, but even when I sleep more, I still feel really tired.I thought it’d pass, but yeah.It hasn’t yet.”
“Any fever?”Palmer asked, moving closer to check Twig’s temperature with the back of his hand.It was an old-fashioned method, but it worked well enough for a preliminary check.
“I don’t think so.”
Palmer made another note.“And does the nausea happen at specific times of the day, or is it constant?”
“It comes and goes.Usually in the morning, but sometimes in the afternoon, too.”Twig paused, then added, “Rune mentioned you were really good at what you do.That you actually care about helping dragons, not just humans.”
Palmer felt warmth spread through his chest at the compliment, even if it had come secondhand.“I do my best.I’m here to help everyone, regardless of species.”He set down his notepad and looked at Twig carefully.“The symptoms you’re describing could be a lot of things.Fatigue, nausea, and muscle aches are pretty common and usually not serious, but I want to do some research to make sure I’m not missing anything specific to dragons.”
“So it’s nothing bad?”Twig asked, a hint of relief in his voice.
“I don’t think so, but I’m not going to dismiss your symptoms either.I want you to rest as much as you can.Drink plenty of water, and I’m going to give you some willow bark extract for the muscle aches.It should help with the pain without upsetting your stomach further.”
Twig nodded.“Okay.I can do that.”
