Page 16 of Taught By the Dragon

“Where was the bloody nurse who was supposed to watch over her?”

Sid replied, “We had an emergency with one of the other rescued prisoners. Ginny’s still there, trying to hold things together whilst we’re here.”

He growled. “Someone needs to watch over Percy. You can’t just leave her alone. Not just because she might hurt herself again, but someone needs to be here when she wakes up so she knows she’s not alone and back in her prison quarters.”

And hopefully she wouldn’t think Stonefire was the same as her old living situation.

Dr. Sid raised an eyebrow. “Let me guess—you want it to be you? But that’s not a good idea, Bronx. One of the newer prisoners we rescued shared how most of the guards—who were all male—abused her. If she wakes up out of sorts, she could easily think you’re one of them. Who knows what might happen then.”

Clenching his fingers into fists, he hated how the doctor was right. “It doesn’t have to be me, but someone needs to sit with her.”

Dr. Sid moved so Dr. Innes could finish patching up Percy. “Bram has been working on that already. As long as a male strong enough to restrain her if something happens stays in one of the other rooms, he’ll rotate through various females in the clan. If she’s restrained, she won’t be able to hurt them. And if somehow she does break free, the male guard can protect them.”

For some reason, the thought of another male watching over Percy didn’t sit well with man or beast. “Who?”

Dr. Sid rolled her eyes. “The way you’re acting about Percy, it’s as if you’re her true mate or something.”

He froze. No, that wouldn’t happen. It couldn’t. Bronx didn’t deserve another mate, or another chance, after failing his Edith.

He asked his dragon,Is she our true mate?

I don’t know. Without her dragon, she’s not whole, and I can’t even guess.

Since the doctor waited for an answer, he shook his head. “Not as far as I know.”

She looked about ready to say something, but Gregor turned toward them and spoke up. “Aye, well, none of that matters right now. I don’t see why Bronx couldn’t stay in the other room. He’s the one assigned to help her anyway. Although you might have to send your daughter to stay with one of your brothers.”

Violet.“Where is she, by the way?”

Gregor pointed toward the door. “We told her to wait in the living room.” The corner of his mouth kicked up. “She all but herded us over here, by the way. Given her level of dominance already, she’s going to be a feisty one all grown up.”

Maybe he should have sighed, but he was rather proud of his daughter. “Yes, which will help her since she wants to be a doctor.”

Dr. Sid bobbed her head. “She’ll need every bit of confidence and determination she can muster to deal with sick dragon males.” She shared a look with her mate and smiled. The sight twisted Bronx’s heart, but thankfully, Dr. Sid spoke again before any memories rushed forth. “Maybe Violet could stay here with you, if you think that’s okay. She can help me, Layla, or Gregor when we look after Percy. It’s always best to ensure a dragon-shifter knows what to expect for this job before committing to so many years of training.”

His first thought was to say no, that Violet should stay with her uncles. But knowing his daughter—who’d managed to get to a train station when she was younger, determined to visit a human city on her own, before he’d found her in time—she would find a way to sneak back here. It was better to keep her close and help channel her energy into something more productive.

“As long as I’m here, she can be too. But just vow that if it ever gets dangerous or becomes some sort of medical procedure that could traumatize someone as young as her that you’ll send her away.”

Dr. Sid nodded. “Of course I vow it. I’ve been Violet’s doctor for nearly her whole life, and I’d never want to hurt her.”

The affront in the doctor’s voice made him say, “Sorry, Sid. But Violet’s all I have, and I don’t want anything to happen to her.”

The doctor’s face softened. “I know.” She stood straight and gestured toward Percy. “She’ll sleep for quite a while, thanks to the sedative. I’ll stay here whilst Gregor fetches some restraints. Nurse Ginny will probably have to take over for a bit, at least until Layla gets here. And no matter how growly you get, I don’t want you in the room when Percy wakes up.”

He grunted. “Although if she starts screaming again, I won’t stay away.”

“Fine, but keep your distance as long as she’s quiet and sane. It’s going to be hard enough dealing with a probably unstable dragon. I don’t need her thinking she’s going to be abused too.”

He clenched his fingers tighter, not wanting to dwell even more on how bloody awful Percy’s past had been. “Will the drug you gave her affect her beast too?”

Dr. Sid shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve been testing new mixtures I’ve devised with other dragon doctors, to find something that will help calm both the human and dragon halves without making them go entirely silent. I hate using people as test subjects without their permission, but Percy and her fellow inmates are special cases. If I can’t help them straight away, I might not be able to help them at all.”

If any of their dragons were allowed to go rogue, they would be punished.

He nodded. “I’ll go talk to Violet and make sure she’s okay with staying here. I think so, but if not, I’ll let you know.”

Leaving the room, Bronx rubbed a hand down his face. He should be focused on what to say to his daughter or what kind of plan to have if Percy woke up and her dragon tried to take over. And yet, he kept thinking back to Sid asking if Percy was his true mate.

---