"What's wrong?" she murmured.
"You have a fever. Your forehead is hot. Are you feeling sick?"
"I'm fine. Just tired and want to sleep." She yawned. "It's our honeymoon, and we don't have to get up if we don't want to. I want to sleep until lunch. Maybe until dinner."
He chuckled. "As you wish, my love."
"You should go back to sleep, too." She yawned again. "You kept me up all night, and you must be exhausted."
"I'm immortal," he said, as if that explained everything, because it did.
"Go back to sleep," she said, and her eyes were already closing.
The slow, even breathing returned, and her hand, which had been resting on his ribs, slipped down to the mattress and stayed there.
He didn't believe she was just tired.
He brushed his lips over her temple, confirming that he hadn't imagined the fever and that he wasn't overreacting. Humans got sick from time to time, although Arezoo hadn't been ill even once since he'd met her.
He held her for a few more moments and then gently removed his arm from her waist and slid out of the bed without disturbing her.
She didn't wake when he drew the duvet up over her shoulders.
He stood beside the bed, admiring his wife. Her hair was a tangled dark mess across the pillow, her cheeks were flushed, and she looked beautiful, contented, and happy. For a moment, he allowed himself the pleasure of enjoying the sight, but then the fever pushed once more into the forefront of his mind, and he turned and walked into the bathroom.
When he came out, he checked on Arezoo again. Her fever was still the same, it hadn't gone up or down, and she was sleeping soundly.
It was probably nothing. Just some human virus that was messing with her and would be gone in a day or two.
He left the bedroom and walked into the kitchen to make himself coffee so he could think clearly and decide what to do next.
What if it wasn't a virus? What if this was the start of Arezoo's transition?
He didn't know much about human illnesses or what the first symptoms of transition were. He heard that losing consciousness was common, but Arezoo was just sleeping. She was conscious.
The embarrassing truth was that he was completely unprepared for having a human wife.
He didn't even own a thermometer or any fever-reducing medicine. He should have planned ahead and made sure that he had everything Arezoo might need.
He set the mug down and picked up his phone.
He stared at the screen, scrolling through the contacts and trying to decide who to call first. Doctor Bridget was the best choice, but she wasn't currently in the village. She was staying in the city with her husband and supervising Navuh's rehabilitation.
Julian was a capable doctor, but he was young and didn't have much experience. The other option was Merlin, but that guy was too kooky for Ruvon's comfort. He might be a capable physician, but his appearance didn't instill confidence in his ability.
Kalugal would know what to do.
After all, his boss had gone through Jacki's transition not too long ago. Well, it had been almost two years, but that was a blink of an eye in an immortal's life. The memories should be fresh in his mind.
The phone rang twice.
"Ruvon." Kalugal sounded surprised. "Aren't you still supposed to be on your stay-at-home honeymoon? It's only been three days."
Kalugal had offered to finance a lavish honeymoon abroad for Arezoo and Ruvon, but she'd refused. As much progress as she'd made, she was not ready to leave the safety of the village for more than a few hours at a time.
"I am. Arezoo has a fever, and I'm not sure what to do. Should I call Julian?"
There was a small pause on the other end.
