“I don’t want to step on your healer’s toes,” I said cautiously. “I’m already on Jenkins’s list.”
A delicate snort escaped the dragon. “I hardly think any of us care about that. Jenkins can get lost. The grumpy old bastard does more harm than good. You did anamazingjob of stitching up Kellan’s hand. There are others who could use an exam by a trained pair of eyes.”
Ma came striding over with a steaming basket, not bothering to ask before placing a fresh muffin in front of me.
“Here you go, my dear.” She smiled warmly, and I couldn’t find it in me to refuse her.
“Ma! Where’smymuffin?” Nina gasped, holding up her hands in exaggerated offense.
The older dragon shook her head good-naturedly. “Of course, you can have one. Rowan gets first pick, though.”
Nina cocked her head to the side. “Is that because she’s a healer or because she’s human?”
Ma chuckled. “Honestly, a little of both. Rowan is our guest—one we areveryhappy to have—and she’s also human. If I let you savages raid the food before her, there would be none left. Speaking of…”
She turned to her left, where a dragon no older than sixteen was standing, staring excitedly at the basket of treats, a grin on his face.
“Go on.” She smiled, handing him one.
Treat procured, he walked off with a garbledthank you.
“Is there much need for an extra healer here?” I asked, eventhough the moment the words left my lips, I was already regretting my words.
Of coursethey could use another healer. Everything I’d seen from Jenkins had screamedwrong. While part of me never wanted to judge a fellow healer, a larger part of me wanted to condemn the old coot for giving bad medical advice.
Potentially deadly medical advice.
“There is!” Nina nodded enthusiastically. “I knowsomany dragons who would love a second opinion. Especially from someone who was trained by a legendary healer! Ma told me it was the Southern Dust Lands Horde healer, Kiki, who trained you.”
“But I don’t have a fancy doctorate,” I pointed out with a wry smile, taking a bite of my fruit. “Jenkins is the one who?—”
Nina scoffed, cutting me off. “You and I both know that, while medical school is impressive, they learn abouthumanhealing there, not shifter. You learned from a tried-and-true shifter healer. And your advice has already helped Rory so much!”
“I do usually see patients,” I agreed. “But those hordes don’t have a healer of their own, especially one like yours.”
“Lucky them,” Ma said dryly, making Nina choke with laughter. I couldn’t help but duck away to hide my grin.
“I’ll… I’ll think about it.”
Nina beamed, bouncing in her seat as her smile stretched from ear to ear. “Yay!”
What did I just get myself into?
After breakfast, I still had my rounds to do, regardless of what I’d decided. Rory needed to be checked on, and Griff would come after that, if everything went smoothly. When I stepped inside, I noticed Leah at Rory’s bedside, but the color was back in hercheeks, and she looked much more rested. After chatting for a bit, I was happy enough with Rory’s progression that I turned my attention to Leah.
“Why don’t you go grab a bath?” I suggested. “I’ll stay with Rory until you’re back. He won’t be on his own.”
Leah’s eyes widened, and she looked between us several times. I knew she was hesitant to leave him, but he really was doing better. She deserved the time to take care of herself.
“Oh, Rowan. If you don’t mind… I probably stink,” she said, scrunching her nose, embarrassment making her cheeks pink.
A bubble of laughter escaped me. “Maybe a little, but a healing room is always full of weird smells. Once, I spent three weeks helping an old, grumpy dragon who had ignored the sores on his feet until they were repulsive. That will haunt my nightmares, so compared tothat,you smell fucking divine!”
“That sounds horrible.” Leah laughed, and I was pleased I’d managed to make her smile, even for a moment.
“Go.” I gently pushed her toward the door. “I don’t want you back here until you’re bathed, fed, and rested!” I knew the moment Leah set foot in the den, Ma would be plying her with food and drawing her a bath. It really did take a village, and she had a good one.
Also, Imayhave been about to shoot Ma a warning text to let her know. After taking my phone out of my back pocket, I glanced once more at Rory to ensure he was still deeply asleep before texting.
