Healed by the Earth Dragon Prince: Dragon Shifter Romance (Elemental Dragon Warriors Book 4)
biologically capable of carrying their children, I worry that those who are desperate for a mate could be willing to do anything to obtain one—including using force.Llyr faces Talia’s brother. “I promise you that we will do everything in our power to make sure no such crime is committed again.”
Milo crosses his arms over his chest and sits back, leveling a glare at Llyr. “We’ll see about that.”
Varus approaches us with Raidyn at his side, his torn wing already healed.
Kaj trails them. I smile up at him, thankful he is here. I turn and then gently squeeze Talia’s hand. “Healer Kaj is here, and he’s going to take care of you, all right? I’ll be back to check on you shortly.”
Her eyes are still closed, but I know she’s heard me when she squeezes my hand in return.
“Do not worry,” Kaj adds. “I have enough energy to heal your friend.”
“Thank you. I appreciate all your help.”
He bows his head. “There is no need to thank me. After all you have suffered, I am honored that you work alongside me and entrust the care of your people to me even though we have broken your trust this day.”
“I won’t lie—the attack scared me. But I know that I can’t judge every Drakarian by the actions of a few people.”
His golden eyes hold mine for a moment before he dips his chin in subtle acknowledgment and returns his attention to Talia.
Although I’ve only just met him, something about Kaj makes me trust him. Trust has never come easily for me, especially with men, after what Edward did to me. However, Kaj somehow makes me feel safe.
He makes me feel other things too. Things that I don’t want to focus on right now because they will probably only lead to trouble. I sigh heavily as I think back on his golden eyes and the way he looked at me earlier. He’s handsome, intelligent and kind. There’s something about him that makes me want to know more.
Shaking my head, I push the errant thoughts from my mind and move on to the next patient, forcing myself to focus on my work.
I go to check on my roommate—Holly. Her eyes are closed. Her normally long golden hair is streaked red with blood. She had a head wound, but Ranas’s healing fire stopped the bleeding. Rakan—Varus’s personal guard—sits in a chair beside her bed.
I look to him. “Has she been awake at all yet?”
His crimson eyes snap up to mine, full of panic. “Is it a bad sign that she is still unconscious?”
My poorly phrased question has made him worry and that was not my intent. He cares for Holly. That much has been clear from the moment his people first found us in the desert. But I don’t know if she returns his affections. “No, I was just curious,” I reassure him.
I run my med scanner over her form and study the readings. “According to this, she’s doing well. Her body is healing.”
His shoulders sag forward a bit in relief and he dips his chin in a subtle nod. “Thank you, Healer Anna.”
Rakan is a good guy. I’m glad Holly has someone like him watching over her while she’s unconscious. I’ve always thought that patients do better when they have someone with them while they’re recovering.
I sigh heavily when I catch myself darting another glance at Kaj. He seems like a good guy as well. But, I can’t afford to be distracted right now.
I’m still trying to find my place in this new world. There’s so much left to learn if I want to practice medicine here.
Chapter 4
Kaj
I study Anna’s retreating form, marveling at how calmly and efficiently she goes about her work. Several of the humans are visibly distraught to the point of tears after witnessing John’s death, but not Anna. No, my female is strong. She simply moves on to the next patient, helping as much as she can. For one who lacks healing fire, she excels at her work.
I finish healing her friend, Talia, as quickly as I can. Prince Llyr seemed especially protective of her, but I did not find the fate mark upon his chest. I wonder if he recognizes Talia as his regardless. I know that the mark does not always appear instantly.
Llyr is my friend, so I decide that I will ask him. I am curious to know if he senses a connection to this human. I think I feel a connection to Anna, but I am uncertain. I’ve discreetly glanced at my chest several times since I met her, wondering if my fate mark would appear while we were speaking, but it did not. Perhaps I am merely attracted to her, though my instincts tell me I feel something more. I am eager to consult Llyr because I suspect he and I are experiencing the same thing.
A glimmer of light catches my eye. I look down and my jaw drops when the fate mark coalesces across my scales, glowing directly between my hearts.
I still as the realization hits me. I was right—I have found my fated one. My gaze immediately finds Anna across the room. It is her. It must be. I know in my hearts that she is mine.
Though I’m desperate to speak to her, my duty compels me to make sure all the humans are tended to first. Talia lifts her blue eyes to mine as I breathe my healing fire across her wound. I find myself longing to stare into the green eyes of my mate, instead.
I do all that I can, but humans take much longer to heal than our people. When I explain this to Llyr, he does not understand. Now, he’s angry at me, accusing me of not tending to her properly. I suspect his aggression has something to do with his feelings toward this female. He is acting like a male who has found his fated one.
I open my mouth to explain this to him again,