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She sat up suddenly, intending to give him privacy, but accidentally pulled the blanket from his hips.
“¡Ay Dios!” she mumbled. Blood rushed to her cheeks when she saw the long, thick, hard appendage he gripped in his fist.
She turned away so fast that she accidentally pulled more of the blanket from his body. Oh no.¡Estúpido!She tried to put it back, but his blue eyes popped open and speared her to the spot.
“Nova?” His voice was rough with sleep.
She covered her eyes and cringed. “Yes?”
A few more excruciating heartbeats passed before he jackknifed up and pulled her hands from her face.
“Are you still afflicted with the fever disease?” He pressed his hand to her forehead and frowned in concentration. “Seems cooler.” He pressed his elven ear to her chest and demanded, “Breathe.”
“Um. Okay.” She inhaled, felt a slight rattle, and covered her mouth to cough. Memories of the night hit her hard and fast. Leaf had cared for her. He’d fed her tea and watched over her… Her brows puckered. Did he put her in a cold bath?
Leaf straightened. “Not nearly as bad. The tea likely helped, or perhaps you’re finally transitioning to Well-blessed. I must remember to ask the healer. How do you feel?”
“Tired. Thirsty. A little embarrassed. Probably could do with blowing my nose.”
He grunted in approval and slid off the bed to stand. “You had many fluids leaking from your face. I will find you something.”
Nova suddenly had a face full of golden glutes. His yawn and stretch popped muscles in his back. Then he stumbled toward the bathroom.
“You slept naked?” she exclaimed, her voice pitched high. “Next to me?”
Holding his…
He shot her an amused look over his shoulder. “You were naked at one point, too.”
“What?” she squeaked.
“Why are you upset? I saw it all at the river, anyway.”
Her brows slammed down. “So that permits you to sleep beside me with your hand on your junk? While you’re naked, and I’m sick. And… and…”
He flashed her an incorrigible grin as he reached the bathroom door. “Even though I went above and beyond the expected duties of a fake mate, the terms of our bargain have not changed.”
Her gaze dropped to the still-hard appendage jutting from his groin. He made no attempts at hiding it. Seemed quite proud of it, actually.
“And don’t worry.” His voice lowered. “I won’t ask you to—how did you write it? Ah yes. I won’t ask you to scratch my itch. I’m sure I can handle that myself.”
He closed the door. Opened and tossed a cloth for her nose, then closed it again. It took her far too long to think of a witty comeback. It had to do with needing cream for his itch, but she wasn’t even sure he’d understand the joke. Ultimately, she shouted at the door, “Why are you in such a good mood?”
“I am?” he yelled back.
“Clearly!”
Two seconds later, the door opened, and he wore tight breeches undone at the laces. A smile still twinkled in his eyes, and he shrugged.
“Perhaps it is because you are not dying and can still fulfill your end of our bargain. We will see the Prime tonight, and then I will be on my way and you on yours.”
Her mood soured. Of course that’s why he’d be in a good mood.
“I need to pee,” she grumbled and shoved past him, slamming the door behind her.
“You are much better.” His voice carried through the wood. She covered her mortified face as he continued. “For a moment, I thought your fever delirium would overcome you.”
Oh, God. What did she say? But for once, Leaf had the decency not to elaborate. She went about her business, washed her face, and looked at herself in the black glass hanging over the sink. It wasn’t quite a mirror, but she could see her reflection well enough. She pulled the skin beside her tired eyes, giving herself a facelift before sighing and letting go.
