The order was almost amusing. Did he think he could command her to vomit? She would laugh at his high-handedness if she had the strength to do it. But as it was, all she could do was breathe in and out as much as her stuffed nose allowed. Gradually, the urge to throw up passed. Good. It wasn’t a sight she wished for him to see.
“Put me back. The urge passed. I think the dizziness caused it.”
“What other symptoms have you had? When did they start?” His voice, rough and impersonal, was so at odds with the gentleness of his arms as he deposited her back against the pillows. His hand was soft and cool as he touched her forehead. She closed her eyes.
“Sometime yesterday after we returned from the duke’s house. My throat started to itch. I thought it was nothing, that maybe I had inhaled some dust. But by dinnertime my throat was on fire.” She swallowed with difficulty, the rawness of her throat making it a painful process. A glass of water appeared in front of her.
“Here.”
“Thank you.” She took it and drank. Grateful for the coolness of the water that soothed her ravaged throat.
“Why didn’t you call me yesterday?”
“I thought it would pass. And then it was too late.”
“Late, bollocks. You should have sent for me at any time. Have you tested yourself to see what you got? Have you taken any medication?”
She closed her eyes and sank deeper into the pillows. “No. The medical kit is in your room.”
“Damn it, Kalli. You know how important it is to test and attack the pathogens at the first sign of infection. I’ll be right back.”
He marched out of the room, his angry strides proclaiming his frustration. Let him be angry. She didn’t have the energy to care. He was barging back into the room in less time than she thought it would take him to get to his room. Let alone come back.
“Here,” he said, plopping down the briefcase he carried on the corner of the bed and opening it. He retrieved the test and ripped the package open. Then held the device up to her mouth. “Open.”
She wanted to tell him he needn’t issue commands. She knew how the test worked; thank you very much. But she only had time to throw him a dirty look before he shoved the mouthpiece against her lips. She opened her mouth and breathed into it until the thing beeped, signaling it had gathered her sample.
He set it on the nightstand to wait for the results. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
“How do you feel? Can I get you something for the symptoms?”
“Not yet. Let’s wait and see what I have first. Then we can better treat it.”
He nodded, accepting this was the best way to proceed. But it seemed the inaction was grating on his nerves. He put his hands on his hips and stared at her.
“Had you sent for me, we could have done this yesterday. By now, you would be feeling much better.”
It appeared his default response to anxiety was to scold. She snuggled deeper into the blankets as a shiver went through her. She was so cold, despite the balmy temperature of the room. He noticed her shudder.
“You have a fever. Looks like some sort of flu.”
“We w-will know in a few m-moments.”
In response, he walked over to the test device and picked it up. Staring into it.
“S-settle down, Dariux. You are exhausting to watch. The test won’t be ready f-faster because you stare at it.”
“Have you eaten anything today? I was told you ordered breakfast.”
“You are well informed.” The attack of shivers was passing. Thank goodness. “The breakfast tray is on the table.”
Dariux lifted the plate covers and frowned. “This is all untouched, Kalli. Damn it, I can’t believe you didn’t call me.”
“How was I going to call you, Dariux? Should I have sent a text? Maybe a video call?”
He was not amused by her sarcasm. “You could have sent a maid to fetch me.”
“Have seen no maids. Have seen no one.” Was that an aura around Dariux’s head? She squinted.
