Chapter Two
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RUNE WAITED AS THE other advisors filed out of the meeting room, watching Palmer gather his notes with careful movements.
The human’s hands were steady, but Rune could see the tension in his shoulders.
He couldn’t blame him. Pearl’s dramatic entrance had put everyone on edge, and Palmer had been the direct target of her anger, along with Killian.
Rune needed to approach Palmer now, before the human left.
Killian had assigned them to work together, which meant Rune had a responsibility to make their partnership work.
More than that, though, he wanted Palmer to know that not all of Killian’s siblings shared Pearl’s views.
He didn’t want to be lumped in with her and her supporters.
Rune took a deep breath and crossed the room, his footsteps quiet on the stone floor.
Palmer looked up as he approached, and for a moment, their eyes met.
Palmer’s expression was polite but guarded, and Rune felt a flash of frustration.
He knew what that look meant. Palmer was being careful, assessing whether Rune was a threat even though Rune hadn’t done anything to warrant that.
“Palmer,” Rune said, keeping his voice friendly. “I wanted to introduce myself properly. I’m Rune.”
“I figured,” Palmer said, offering a small smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“I wanted to say that I’m looking forward to working with you,” Rune continued. He clasped his hands behind his back to keep from fidgeting. “I know that wasn’t the best introduction to Killian’s advisors, but I hope you know that not everyone feels the way Pearl does.”
Palmer’s smile became a bit more genuine, but the wariness didn’t leave his eyes. “I appreciate that. Most dragons here have been welcoming. It’s just a lot to take in sometimes.”
“I understand,” Rune said quickly. Maybe too quickly, because Palmer’s expression shifted slightly, becoming more neutral.
Rune resisted the urge to wince. He was trying too hard, and Palmer could probably sense it.
“I mean, I can’t fully understand what it’s like to be in your position, but I can imagine it’s difficult. ”
“It has its challenges,” Palmer agreed.
Rune tried a different approach. “I have to admit, I don’t know much about healing. Dragon or human. But Killian thinks I can help you navigate the infirmary and the medical archives, so I’m going to do my best.”
“That’s kind of you,” Palmer said. He was still keeping his distance.
It was frustrating. Rune wanted to tell Palmer that he genuinely respected what he was doing, that he thought it was brave to come to the palace and work with dragons when so many humans feared or hated them.
He wanted Palmer to know that he wasn’t like Pearl, that he didn’t see humans as inferior or dangerous.
But saying all of that would probably come across as desperate or insincere, and Rune didn’t want to make things worse.
“I know this probably feels awkward,” Rune said, deciding to be honest. “Killian assigned us to work together, and after what just happened with Pearl, I’m sure you’re wondering if I share her views. I don’t. I think what you’re doing here is important, and I want to help however I can.”
Palmer studied him for a moment, and Rune held his gaze, letting the human see that he meant what he said. Finally, Palmer’s shoulders relaxed slightly.
“Thank you,” Palmer said, and this time, his tone was warmer. “I appreciate you saying that. And I do want to learn more about dragon physiology and healing. I need to, if I’m going to be useful here.”
“You’re already useful,” Rune said. “Our healers wouldn’t be working with you if they didn’t think so.”
Palmer ducked his head, and Rune caught a glimpse of a smile before it quickly vanished. “Well, I’m still learning, so any help you can offer would be great.”
“When would you like to start?” Rune asked, feeling a surge of relief. This was progress. Palmer wasn’t exactly relaxed yet, but at least he seemed willing to give Rune a chance.
“Tomorrow?” Palmer suggested. “I have a few things to finish up in the infirmary this afternoon, but I should be free in the morning.”
“Tomorrow works for me,” Rune said. “Should I meet you at the infirmary, or maybe the library?”
“The library is fine,” Palmer said. “Around nine?”
“Nine it is,” Rune agreed. He hesitated, then added, “And Palmer? If you ever feel uncomfortable or if there’s anything I can do to make this easier, please let me know. I know I’m probably not the person you would have chosen to work with, but I’m going to do everything I can to make this work.”
Palmer looked at him for a long moment, and Rune thought he saw some of the wariness fade from his expression. He hoped it was. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you, Rune.”
“Of course,” Rune said. He stepped back, giving Palmer space. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow,” Palmer echoed.
Rune watched as Palmer gathered the rest of his notes and left the room, moving with the same careful precision he’d shown earlier. Once the human was gone, Rune let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.
That could have gone worse. Palmer was cautious, and Rune couldn’t blame him for that. But he’d agreed to meet tomorrow, which meant Rune had a chance to prove that he wasn’t like Pearl. He had a chance to show Palmer that not all of Killian’s siblings were his enemies.
Rune just hoped he wouldn’t mess it up. He couldn’t afford to, not when Killian was counting on him and when he genuinely wanted to make this work.
He glanced around the empty meeting room, then headed for the door.
Tomorrow would be a new start. He’d make sure Palmer knew he could be trusted.
Even if it took time, Rune wasn’t giving up.
He couldn’t, even if he wanted to. Killian had asked them to work together, and Rune wasn’t going to let his brother down.
* * * *
PALMER QUICKLY MADE his way back to the infirmary after the meeting.
He was still thinking about the conversation he’d had with Rune, but he didn’t know what to think of it.
He and Rune were stuck together since Killian had ordered them to work together, and Rune had assured Palmer that he didn’t hate humans as much as his half-sister did, but Palmer wasn’t sure he could trust him. He didn’t know him.
But Killian trusted him. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have told him to work with Palmer. He wouldn’t put Palmer in danger that way. Knowing that helped a little, but Palmer still wondered why Killian hadn’t assigned him to a healer or someone who knew more about medicine and healing than Rune.
Maybe it was for protection? Maybe Killian thought that this way, Palmer would be safe if someone was to confront him or worse, attack him. Would Rune defend him, though? Maybe he knew how to fight. Palmer had no idea since he didn’t know the guy.
Curran was already waiting for him when he arrived at the infirmary. Palmer made a beeline for him, stopping only long enough to wash his hands and put on gloves.
“I’m sorry for the delay,” he said.
Curran shrugged. “It’s fine. I know you had a meeting earlier.”
“Does everyone know?”
“Of course. And everyone knows that Pearl came by.” Curran looked around the infirmary, but everyone was busy. He still leaned closer to Palmer. “What did she say? I heard several versions, and I’m curious.”
Palmer knew that Curran himself had recently confronted Pearl. He was glad that Curran had come out of it in one piece, especially since he was pregnant. “She just demanded to know why Killian hadn’t asked her to be present during the meeting and mentioned a few times how much she dislikes humans.”
Curran snorted and leaned back on the bed.
Palmer quickly closed the curtains around it. It wasn’t the first time he’d examined Curran, so Curran knew what to expect. Still, Palmer took things slowly, just in case.
“It’s not just that she dislikes humans. She hates you guys,” Curran said.
“Why? Did a human do something to her?” It wouldn’t be an excuse, but it would at least explain her hatred.
“Not that I know of. It’s just the kind of person she is. I’m sure there are humans who hate other humans just because.”
Curran wasn’t wrong. Palmer tried not to think about it as he started his examination, but it still hurt.
He and many more people were doing everything in their power to show the world that humans and dragons could work together and live in peace.
They couldn’t allow a few people to sabotage that, not even when they were as powerful as Pearl was.
The problem was that Palmer didn’t have a say in it. He was just a guy.
“But what she thinks doesn’t matter,” Curran said. “It’s not like Killian is going to give her any kind of power. You’re safe.”
“For now,” Palmer said.
He’d been reading a lot about dragon pregnancy, so he knew what to look for.
Luckily, Curran and his baby were doing well.
There was nothing odd, and it helped Palmer breathe more easily.
Curran wasn’t his only dragon patient, but he was the most important to Killian since he was Marlin’s partner and was carrying their egg.
Eventually, that egg would be laid, and a baby would come out.
Palmer had read enough to know that dragon babies were considered a miracle.
It was especially true in this clan since, for years, parents hadn’t been allowed to raise their children.
They’d also been forced to get pregnant, which made Palmer want to scream. How unfair was that?
The curtain suddenly pulled aside, startling Palmer. He turned to glare at the newcomer, only to relax when he saw it was Marlin. The dragon closed the curtains again and rushed to the head of the bed, leaning down to kiss the top of Curran’s head.
“Sorry about that,” he said, looking at Palmer. “We had to discuss what happened during the meeting.”
“You mean you had to discuss Pearl,” Curran pointed out.