Healed by the Earth Dragon Prince: Dragon Shifter Romance (Elemental Dragon Warriors Book 4)

next patient. I wonder if he’s married—or as they say, mated. He doesn’t have the glowing fate mark on his chest, but then again, not all mated Drakarians have found their linaya. Some marry simply for love like humans do.
I’ve heard the Earth Clan dragons are peaceful and have never taken sides in a war between Clans. The only member I met before Kaj was his cousin Ranas, but he never told me he came from a family of Healers.
Forcing myself to focus, I turn my attention to the next patient. The good news is every patient has stabilized now that more Healers have arrived from the Earth Clan to help. My side still aches, and my breath hitches whenever I turn too quickly, but I feel so much better since Kaj treated me. I’ll have to thank him again later. Maybe we can talk a bit more, too. I find I’m curious about him.
My friend Talia was unconscious but recovering last time I checked on her. When I look down the row of beds, I notice she’s awake and talking to Prince Llyr of the Water Clan. His blue scales are definitely not hard to miss. Even from here, it’s easy to see how much he cares for her. He spends quite a bit of time with my friend and I wonder if feelings have developed between the two of them. If so, Talia hasn’t mentioned anything to me.
A flash of light-gray scales catches my eye, and I freeze. My heart pounds as the Wind Clan dragon’s ice-blue eyes meet mine. I only have a moment to panic before Skye emerges from behind him, taking his hand and dragging him toward me while beaming.
Although I’m stunned, I’m so happy to see her that I rush forward and hug her tightly. “Thank the Stars you’re all right!” A stray tear escapes my lashes, but I quickly brush it away. “I’ve been so worried about you.”
“I’ve missed you!” She pulls back and gestures to the Wind dragon beside her.
As I scan his face, I notice a long, jagged scar that starts just above his left brow and extends to the top of his cheek. I wonder how he avoided losing his eye to this injury. My jaw drops when I also notice the glowing pattern of the fate mark across his chest.
Eyes wide, I glance between him and Skye.
“Anna.” She gestures to him. “This is my husband-slash-mate, Prince Raidyn of the Wind Clan.”
“You’re his fated mate?”
She nods and snuggles against him while he wraps a possessive arm around her shoulders.
I’m so floored, I don’t know what to say. How can she just stand by his side like he never kidnapped her? All this time she’s been gone, I’ve been worried sick. We all have.
“I don’t understand. His people just attacked us, Skye, and I haven’t forgotten that he stole you, too. How can you act like everything is fine?”
“He didn’t steal me,” she snaps defensively. “And the attack wasn’t his fault.”
I open my mouth to protest, but Raidyn cuts me off, his ice-blue eyes full of guilt.
“Forgive me,” he says, bowing his head slightly as he covers his glowing mark with his free hand. “My cousin was the one responsible for what happened. He manipulated my father, the king, into condoning this attempt to steal away your people.”
“It’s all right now, though,” Skye adds, positioning herself between us. “Raidyn banished his cousin, and his father is stepping down. We are going to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.”
“We?” I ask incredulously.
“Yes,” Raidyn confirms. “I will ascend the throne as king and Skye will be Queen of the Wind Clan.”
I don’t know how to respond. I want to believe that they’re right—that their rule will prevent any further attacks—but I can’t be sure. I remember how safe I felt this morning, but now all my false security has suddenly been ripped away. Even though Skye might be mated to the Wind Clan’s king, I might never be able to trust their Clan after what happened today.
“Trust me, Anna,” Skye takes my hand. “Raidyn is a good guy.”
Her words strike a chord deep inside me. Aren’t those the same words I used earlier to convince Enara to trust Kaj? I told her he was a good guy so she’d let him treat her. I suppose Skye is as right as I was; you can’t judge an entire group of people based on the actions of a few.
Despite my lingering reservations, Skye is still my friend.
“Congratulations,” I tell them, forcing a smile onto my face. I need to talk to her privately later to make sure that she is as happy as she seems and not just pretending to appease Raidyn.
I’ve spent enough time around Prince Varus and Lilly to know that he’s a great guy who adores her. However, I’ve only just met Raidyn, and given what little I’ve witnessed of his people, I’m not entirely sure about his character yet.
Skye squeezes me in another quick hug before I move on to the next patient. “We’ll talk later,” she promises and heads to speak with Talia.
I’m only a few beds away when a deep, rumbling growl fills the air. The hair rises on the back of my neck. I spin toward the sound and find Raidyn leveling a dark glare at John.
“You!” King Raidyn bites out. “You hurt my linaya. You tried to force-mate her.”
John’s eyes fly wide and he goes completely pale. He turns to run but trips over his own feet and falls backward. As soon as he hits the ground, he starts crawling away as fast as he can. “Wait! I can explain!” he cries. “Please don’t kill me!”
Raidyn rushes toward him at supernatural speed. He hauls John off the floor, suspending him in the air by his collar as he bares his sharp, deadly fangs.
“You should be dead. You will die for daring to harm my mate,” he hisses. “My vow.”
“Stop!” Varus commands, striding across the room.