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“I understand. Should I have kept my mouth shut and let the meeting continue?”

“No. I’m glad you told him to leave. I hope he doesn’t come back.” Though it was clear that Twig would have to deal with Ilias eventually. The dragon didn’t want him on the council, and while Twig tended to agree, Killian did want him there. Killian wasn’t only Twig’s brother. He was also his king, and when the king ordered something, the only thing Twig could do was agree.

* * * *

TAYLOR DIDN’T WANT to leave Twig alone after what had just happened. He hadn’t thought much of anything when the council member had walked into the infirmary. He’d been told who was who when he first started working at the palace, so he’d recognized the dragon. He hadn’t thought Ilias was there to talk to Twig, though. Everyone knew Twig was still ill and recuperating, so why would someone, even a council member, bother him?

Especially the way Ilias had bothered him. What had the dragon been thinking, telling Twig he didn’t belong on the council? Taylor might not be a dragon, but he was pretty sure that since Killian himself had asked Twig to be a council member, he’d had his reasons for doing so. Whatever he saw in Twig had pushed him to make the decision, and Twig had agreed, so he clearly shared his brother’s views.

But not everyone did. Ilias clearly didn’t, and now Taylor felt bad about letting him in. He told himself that was why he decided to hover by the open door of Twig’s room. It didn’t have anything to do with how sad Twig seemed to be, or how defeated he sounded.

Taylor wanted to ask him about all of it, but he also didn’t want to make Twig even more upset than he already was. Maybe once he was better, they could talk about it. In the meantime, Taylor could try to distract him. He wasn’t sure how, but he suspected that talking about anything other than the illness, Twig’s mother, and what had just happened would be good.

“You were born here, right?” he asked.

Twig blinked at him. “Of course.”

“What’s your favorite part of the palace? I haven’t really had the opportunity to explore. I’ve basically been working since I arrived.”

Twig’s smile was easy. “Definitely the gardens. I’m sure you’ve seen some of them, at least.”

“Maybe I should stop working so much and do that. We could even go together.”

Twig shrugged. “I’d say yes, but I’m not going anywhere any time soon.”

“Not yet, but you will eventually. You’re getting better, aren’t you?”

“I’m sure Palmer told you.”

“Contrary to what a lot of people seem to think, Palmer doesn’t give me details about you or any of his other patients. He just told me you seemed to be doing better and that he was relieved.”

“Well, he’s right. I am feeling better. I’m just scared it’s going to change.”

“You know what the poison is now. You’re going to be fine.”

Twig cocked his head. “You have a lot of faith in your brother, don’t you?”

“Of course. He’s my brother, and he’s a great doctor. I know your mother doesn’t see things that way, but I promise you, Palmer’s doing everything he can for you.”

“I know. It’s why I didn’t ask for another doctor or healer. I could see how much Palmer was beating himself up over the fact that I wasn’t getting better. I never wanted him to feel bad about it. He can’t read people’s minds, and he was doing what he could with the information he had.”

Taylor leaned his shoulder against the doorway. “Well, you’re getting better now, and that’s all that matters.”

“What was your life like before you came here?” Twig asked. “Were you always close with your brother?”

“Oh, yeah. It’s why I’m here, actually. I wasn’t going to let my brother come alone.”

“You’re quite protective of him.”

“I always have been. It’s just kind of the relationship we have. He’s the brains, and I’m the brawn. I protect him, and he takes care of me when I need it.”

Twig slowly nodded. “Sounds nice.”

“You don’t have that kind of relationship with any of your siblings?”

Twig shook his head. “Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to be in contact with them unless it was to fight. Our father enjoyed pitting us against each other, which was why he’d often favor one of us, then change his mind and move on to someone else. I was only his favorite for a few weeks, until he realized I was weak.”

Taylor frowned. “You’re not weak.”