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With the help of an elder male versed in the ways of plant medicine, the patient was given a dose. Results began within the hour. After a few months of daily doses, the dragon and human halves started to work again. However, when the patient stopped the doses, she went through withdrawal. If using this moss becomes necessary in the future, I would recommend a much slower weaning period. Side effects also need to be explored further.
He read a few more notes about the female’s full recovery and release before the file ended.
Gregor leaned back against the headboard. He didn’t want to get his hopes
up, but he needed to talk with Trahern Lewis first thing in the morning. Maybe the Welsh doctor knew the name of the moss that had been used. He may also know some of the side effects. As much as Gregor wanted to help his mate, he couldn’t risk the bairn.
Of course, it would be easy enough to ask Trahern to research more of the side effects. Nine months may be enough time to ascertain the safety of the moss treatment and have Cassidy reconcile, at least in part, with her dragon.
He could track down Lewis even though it was the middle of the night. Yet as Cassidy snuggled closer to his side, Gregor decided he could wait a few hours and simply enjoy the warm presence of his mate.
~~~
Trahern sipped his coffee as light filtered through the small window on the far side of the room. He probably should’ve slept more than the hour nap on top of his desk, but he needed to figure out the final compound. Granted, it could be a million different things, maybe even a billion, but he wasn’t about to give up.
The work also kept his mind from thinking about Emily Davies. It had been more years than he’d like to admit since he’d last seen her. He enjoyed their email discussions, but staring at a computer screen wasn’t the same as seeing her smile or how the sun glinted off her dark hair.
His dragon flicked a tail at the memory but then settled back to sleep. Thinking of Emily always stirred his beast.
At one time, he’d wondered about her being his true mate. However, the laws had been different then, and Trahern had learned to push aside the possibility to be friends with her. The more often he repeated she was just a friend, the quieter his dragon had become. Maybe seeing her again would wake up and motivate his dragon.
Provided she responded to his invite in the first place.
Adjusting his glasses, Trahern focused back on his work. He’d learned as a child not to get his hopes up about anything too soon. Besides, if he wanted to stay on Stonefire, he needed to show he was useful.
As the computer scanned through the database, comparing the chemical makeup of the mystery ingredient, someone knocked lightly on the door. Since the nurses knew not to disturb him unless it was a priority, he stood up and said, “Come in.”
Gregor Innes’s tall, blond form filled the doorway. “I need to ask you something.”
Sitting back down, Trahern answered, “I still haven’t figured out the compound. You can check back again later.”
Gregor shut the door and moved to Trahern’s desk. “I’m not here about the bloody compound. Do you know Dr. Arwel Hughes?”
He frowned. “Dr. Hughes retired a few weeks after I began my stint as a junior doctor. Why?”
Gregor laid a few sheets of printed paper on his desk and tapped them. “Do you know anything about this rare moss he used in one of his cases to treat an unruly dragon?”
Trahern read the old doctor’s notes before answering, “No, but I might know who the old male he refers to might be.” Gregor opened his mouth, but Trahern beat him to it. “He won’t talk to you, though. Clyde doesn’t care for English dragon-shifters. Something about a feud from several hundred years ago.”
“Then you talk to him.”
“He probably won’t talk to me, either. I’m a traitor for leaving Wales, you see.”
Gregor growled. “Then find a way. This bloody moss might be the key to saving my mate. We need to locate it so you can test it for negative side effects. Even if it’s the best cure for Cassidy’s dragon, I need to make sure it won’t endanger my child.”
“Look, I’m not good at politics or gathering favors. Many from Clan Snowridge also see me as a traitor. Only about a quarter of the clan want to reach out and build alliances. The rest want to be left alone. So, if you need help, have Stonefire’s leader talk to Rhydian Griffiths. That’s the best chance you have of getting the information you want.”
“Bloody stubborn Welsh dragons,” Gregor muttered.
Trahern raised his brows. “If I recall, the Scots didn’t always believe in being open, either.”
“Aye, well, that was the old leader who eventually got himself killed. Maybe yours will change his mind with goodwill.”
“The male who can identify the type of moss respects Rhydian and will do whatever Snowridge’s leader says. Use that with Bram. Let me know when you either hear about Emily Davies or if Rhydian convinces old Clyde to talk with us. There’s not much else I can do outside of the surgery until Clyde talks.”
Gregor assessed him a second before saying, “You could explore the clan’s lands and meet a few people before they come to the surgery.”
Trahern shrugged one shoulder. “I don’t like small talk. The best way for me not to offend someone is to continue my work here.”
