Highlander's Kiss (Clan Matheson #1)

“Doctors in this time use different tools to aid us in healing our patients, and since I’ve no intention of allowing you to feel any pain, I’m going to use an injection with a numbing agent inside.” He cleaned the wound then smeared each side with numbing gel to ensure she didn’t even feel the needle going in. No pain at all was his ultimate goal.

“Tavish,” she whispered his name, her voice so soft as she leaned back a little against him. “Did you know your name means twin?”

“Which I happen to be.” Injection in. “Did you not see Tor on the battlements outside? He’s the one who called out. We’re identical.” He threaded the needle and set to work stitching the wound. “He was pretty hard to miss.”

“I’m afraid I only saw a dark shadow. My vision was still a little spotty at that time. Arabel isnae just my sister but also my twin. She’s a whole five minutes older than me, and always reminding me of it.”

“Tor’s a whole five minutes younger than I am. I have no trouble reminding him of that either.” He ran another quick check over her head for any sign of swelling but there was none. Keeping a close eye on her throughout the night though would be a necessity, and he wouldn’t allow Cherub to take Julia away until at least the morning, that’s if Cherub returned before then. Another stitch. “Twins actually run strongly in my shifter clan. More often than not two cubs are born at once, although Iain, Finlay, and Kirk are the first triplets we’ve had.”

“Twins run strongly through my fae line as well.” She gripped the edge of the thin mattress either side of her, her knuckles going white. “I’m nervous. I’ve never been all that good at getting stitches and I fear the first one. ’Tis an awful kind of pain.”

“There’s no need to be nervous.” He covered one of her hands with his and her grip relaxed under his touch. “I’ve already made the first stitch, as well as the second.” He began the third stitch.

“You have?” She jerked her head upright and stared at the long length of thread that led from the back of her head to his hand. A smile lifted her lips. “Well, would you look at that. You are a very clever doctor indeed, with a most magical touch. Should I ever need stitches again, I am coming right back here to see you.”

“Thank you, but I hope you’ll never require stitches again. Look front and center for me.”

“Of course. My apologies.” She resumed the right position and he returned to his work, bringing each side of her wound nicely and neatly together. “Are you mated, Tavish?”

“As yet I’m not, although on the last full moon my senses arose just as the other unmated males in my clan’s did since the ‘power of three’ was unveiled and the fae village saved.” He inspected his stitches, five altogether, which would dissolve on their own in another six or seven days’ time. “All done, Julia.”

“Already?” She glanced at him with the sweetest smile. “I shall never forget your kindness. You have my most grateful thanks for your aid.”

“And I shall never forget the aura reader who paid me a visit from the past.” He dropped his utensils into the automated cleaning machine on the bench, collected a bottle of water from the small corner fridge then with two painkillers in hand, returned to her and held them out. “I want you to swallow these pills. They’ll chase away any lingering pain and allow you to sleep with ease throughout the night. I’ll also need you to sleep over so I can ensure all is well.”

“I would like to stay longer, to see what else this time offers. What herb are these made of?” She accepted the pills and humming under her breath, rubbed them between her fingers.

“Those pills aren’t actually made of herbs but a proven medication.” He uncapped the bottle lid.

“Would you look at that.” She nabbed the bottle from him, swirled the water within then fingered the notches on the rim. “How clever to put a top like this on the bottle. I see the cap can wind itself over the head of the spout through these ridges. What is this bottle made of?”

“Plastic, a manmade substance. Pop one of those pills on your tongue then scrape it to the back with your teeth. As soon as you’ve done that, take a sip of water and gulp the pill down, then repeat again with the second pill.” Her questions and delight at seeing so many new things touched his heart. He’d love to show her around his home, take her to some of his favorite places and watch her excitement continue to grow and bloom.

She swallowed the pills.

“Would you like to bathe and wash the blood from your hair before I organize a place for you to sleep?”

“Am I allowed to bathe? Whenever I’ve had stitches in the past, my sister hasn’t allowed me to get them wet.”

“Just this once you may bathe, then you’re to ensure your stitches remain dry for the next few days. I’ve actually used dissolving stitches, so there’s no need for me to even physically remove them once your wound has healed.”

“Then a chance to bathe would be most appreciated.”