As he studied the back of Caitlin O'Shea, he willed for a memory to come forth. The female seemed to care for him and guilt threaded his heart that he was causing her pain.
Not that it was his bloody fault.
Dr. O'Brien pricked him with a needle and drew more blood. He wanted to tell the doctor enough, but he barely had the strength to do anything but move his head.
Thankfully Brenna's dark-haired form rushed into the room. Her eyes instantly found his and a sense of calmness came over him.
For all that they were near-strangers, she was more familiar than anything else in his life.
She pushed her way to his side and laid a hand on his forehead. The warm, smooth skin of her fingers stroked, and he relaxed a fraction. "What happened?"
"I don't know. I was dreaming, but I can't remember about what."
Searching his gaze, she asked, "Are you still in pain?"
He smiled. "Why? Are you going to nurse me back to health?"
"Killian O'Shea, now is not the time to tease me," she scolded. "Tell me anything you can remember or I'll leave this room and let you deal with Orla."
"Hey," Orla interjected.
Killian ignored the older woman. "The pain is mostly gone, although I'm weak."
Brenna glanced at Dr. O'Brien. "How long before we know the results of your tests?"
The doctor never ceased changing out his blood draw tube. "Several hours, at least. All we can do is give him pain medication and monitor his vital signs. While he was unconscious, his heart rate skyrocketed for about thirty seconds, but it's back to normal now."
She continued to stroke his forehead, her feminine scent invading his nose. When she wasn't angry or irritated, her face was softer somehow. He wished she would lay beside him and lend him some strength.
He nearly frowned at that thought. She was his mate out of necessity. He shouldn't have any expectations about how she'd treat him beyond civility.
She met his gaze again. "I need to talk with Orla briefly. Are you okay with me leaving the room for a few minutes?"
No. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Her brows raised. "Happy mating day to you, too."
Before he could think of how to reply to that, Caitlin stood next to Brenna and said, "I'll watch over him."
He may not remember his mother, but Caitlin's kind eyes, full of concern, added to the calmness caused by Brenna.
Removing her fingers, Brenna turned and exited the room, with Orla on her heels. He debated what to say to the female at his side, but she soon started to sing a song that seemed familiar.
Not that he could place where he knew it from. However, with each verse, his eyes drooped a little more until he fell asleep.
~~~
Brenna guided Orla into the empty patient room across from Killian's and shut the door. Not wanting Orla to beat around the bush, she simply asked, "Where does Killian's true mate live?"
She raised a gray eyebrow. "First, tell me what you're planning, child. Then we'll see if I tell you."
At least Orla wasn't holding a grudge because of Brenna's remarks a few minutes ago.
She decided honesty would speed up the process. "Do you remember me telling you about what happened to Dr. Sid Jackson on Stonefire?"
"Yes, the female who lost and found her dragon."
"Right. Well, her dragon emerged after kissing her true mate. You mentioned once that Killian's true mate had come and gone. I was hoping we could locate her and see if a kiss might help reverse the effects of the drugs used on him."