Dragonkin 4 You're my Mate? No thanks.

Part 4 Treating the wounded

Fierce-looking burly guards stand on duty at the gates, inspecting the visitors entering and leaving the castle grounds. Each cart is given a thorough searching before being approved to exit or enter.

Waltzing up to the guards, she flashes her badge and they salute to her. Cassy casually strikes up an engaging conversation with the guards, who soften their ferocious expressions. One guard even gives her a bear hug. When she points me out to them, a shiver of apprehension runs through me because they eye me with intense dislike.

She touches the sleeve of one of the guards and whispers into his ear. I have no idea what she told them, but in the next moment, the guard grins at me and he waves us in through the gate.

Could Cassy be a royal? I wonder. If not, she's probably high-ranking personnel in the court.

Maids curtsy to us as we enter the great hall, before returning to their tasks. Servants and staff bow as we pass by them in the corridors. Some blatantly staring at me in astonishment – my dishevelment probably making an unfavourable impression. We were stopped incessantly by well-dressed nobles or courtiers, who want to seek Cassy's opinions on certain matters. They can be haughty, rude, humble or friendly. Trailing behind or walking away a distance, I leave their earshot whenever someone requests a consult with Cassy. Watching their exchange, given their satisfied smile, I can tell that Cassy is eloquent and tactful in her replies regardless of her audience. The nobles generally treat Cassy with respect. I wouldn't be surprised if she tells me she rules this city.

Reaching a suite of rooms, she shyly glances at me and announces that we've reached her rooms. Taking a deep breath, she opens and pulls me into her room. Motioning for me to sit on one of the dainty chairs, she blushes as she walks quickly to a chest of drawers and pulls out a box.

Walking towards me, she mumbles awkwardly, "Can you remove your shirt so that I can inspect your wounds?" Her eyes unable to meet mine, her head turns abashedly away from me. How can she be so shy after her earlier seduction attempt?

When I hesitated, she clears her throat and declares in a steadier tone, "Don't worry, as delectable as you are, I don't intend to molest you. I'm simply keeping my promise to tend to your wounds. Rest assured, I was trained as a doctor so I won't accidentally break more bones".

At her obvious attempt to break the awkwardness, I laughed – which I immediately regretted. Ouch, my ribs hurt! My arms wrap around my abdomen quickly, trying to soothe the sudden twinge of pain as I bend over in agony.

Hurrying over to me, she exclaims in mock outrage, "Serves you right for laughing at me," a corner of her lips twitching, trying her best not to laugh.

When the pain eventually subsided, I relax in the small chair while she pokes and prods at my bruises and wounds expertly like a doctor. A healer myself, I had already known that I am mending and in no imminent health crisis, save for a few scrapes and bruises. But it wouldn't do to defy her wishes so I went along with her.

"You seem to be recovering from several recent broken bones. Apart from that, you're healing up nicely". Declaring me out of critical danger, she efficiently dresses my wounds in bandages and ointments. Sitting still, I watch her as she administers first aid. She's a conundrum. She looks so dainty and frail but efficient and strong when dealing with intimidating men larger and tougher than her. There's also the little matter that she may be my True Mate.

With him staring at my actions intently, my heart races as I lean close to wrap the bandage around his middle section. My eyes fixed on his muscled torso, unable to tear my gaze off him. His skin is lividly coloured with several gigantic bruises which indicated that bones were recently badly broken but which I found none of. I find it curious that he is breathing just fine without any ounce of pain despite being so badly injured. It's a miracle he could walk at all!