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And considering everything Yesenia had done for the Yates family, including being the closest friend Nora had possessed in decades, she owed her. Sitting one or two nights with him should be doable.
She finally nodded at Dr. MacPherson. "Yes, I can do whatever is necessary and keep an eye on him until morning."
The doctor closed his medical bag. "Good, good. Then we need to move him into a quiet room and I'll help set everything up before I leave."
Nora noticed Leo and Yesenia weren't in the room. She went into the hall to find the pair holding each other in silence, as if drawing strength from merely touching one another.
Her throat choked with emotions. Once upon a time, as a young girl, she'd dreamed of finding a male who'd look and treat her like that.
But she'd never find that sort of closeness, especially as any male holding her except for her brothers or her son made her want to claw and fight to get free.
And even if she could find a way to lessen her fear, no one wanted a damaged, soiled and used female like her. Forced breeders, like she'd been, didn't find love and understanding.
Clearing her throat to help push aside the thoughts of how her father had ruined her life long ago, Nora focused on the next set of tasks. "Leo, we're going to need your and John's help to move River to the guest bedroom at the end of the hall."
Her brother kissed Yesenia's forehead and then went into the room. John appeared a moment later.
As the two males gently lifted River and carried him, the male groaned repeatedly. An odd mixture of fear and sympathy rolled through her. She didn't know this River Vale and had no reason to want him in pain. And yet, the longer he was ill, the more time she had to think of how to complete her claiming with the least amount of touching possible.
She might even be able to do it before he could get out of bed. She could be quick and make herself scarce; distance from him would keep her safe from his touch.
Yesenia's shaky voice garnered her attention and she turned toward her dark-haired sister-in-law. Yesenia's brown eyes glistened with unshed tears as she whispered, "I'm so sorry, Nora. I thought I'd kept your image out of my head when I ran through everyone who lived here."
Yesenia's first attempt at moving a person through time had been to find the fated one of someone living or working inside her brother's gaming establishment—the wider the net, the easier it would be for a fae witch to find a fated one and bring them here. Nora had asked Yesenia to leave her out of it.
For a split second, anger rushed through her at her friend betraying her. But at the tears now rolling down Yesenia's cheeks, it vanished in an instant. Pulling the fae witch close, she hugged her. "I know, Yesenia."
After squeezing her a beat, Yesenia pulled back to search her gaze. "But now that it's happened, at least it's River. He's a healer, Nora. And he would never hurt you."
He paid too much to ever hurt you.Her father had spoken similar words right after Nora's virginity had been auctioned off to the male who'd become Ambrose's father.
That had begun the cavalcade of lies for the next decade.
"Nora?"
Shaking her head to clear the latest memories to break free, she answered, "Right now, all I care about is helping you, and that means watching over your brother for the night." She paused, debating whether to say more. However, Yesenia was one of the few people she'd come to trust, and so she blurted, "I know he's your brother, but my stance hasn't changed—I don't want a lord or husband."
Yesenia studied her a beat and then took her hand and squeezed. "I know. And I'm super grateful for all your help with my brother just now, despite the big-ass surprise I dropped in your lap." Another tear rolled down Yesenia's cheek and she wiped it away. "I don't know why he's all beat up. But he can't die, Nora, he just can't. I should've been there to protect him, and instead I was here, excited about learning how to use my magic and getting married…"
Nora clicked her tongue. "Don't start that. In some ways, you're worse than Leo when it comes to bearing all the responsibilities for your younger siblings. But who knows when this happened to your brother, or how? Isn't there a possibility it was before you showed up here, unconscious, in what was supposed to be your wedding dress?"
Yesenia bit her lip. "Maybe. Although if I didn't complete the terms of Derrick's contract, then it's my fault, Nora, plain and simple."
Derrick was the name of a ruthless American vampire ruler in Yesenia's time. She'd been about to marry him to protect her siblings when Yesenia had subconsciously tapped her previously unknown magical abilities and had arrived in 1890, at the feet of her fated vampire lord—Leo.
Nora shook her head. "Even then, I don't agree. Your siblings are of age, Yesenia, and were more than capable of looking after themselves." The fae witch opened her mouth but Nora beat her to it. "Let's not argue. One of your siblings is here now. And even if he's hurt, it's a good thing, right? One less person that Derrick can use against you."
"I suppose." She eyed Nora a second before asking, "How does it feel to breathe and have a beating heart again?"
Aware that Yesenia needed the topic change as much as Nora did, she listened to her own heart beat a few seconds, still growing accustomed to the strange rhythm, and answered, "A little tiresome, but I'm sure I'll grow used to it. Breathing is nice, though. I forgot how soothing it could be."
Yesenia smiled and squeezed Nora's hand. "And your body is already warming up. Plus you get to eat food again instead of only drinking blood." Yesenia released her hand. "I'm going to stay with River a while. So go tell cook what you'd like to eat for dinner tonight. I'm positive you have some favorites you're dying to taste again."
Nora frowned. "It's not important on the grand scale of things, Yesenia. That can wait."
The fae witch gave her a light shove toward the stairs. "No, I won't dismiss it that easily. Just go and treat yourself a little. Besides, I have a few things to say to River anyway, even if he's unconscious. Come to his room only when you're ready."
Nora would never be ready, but she held her tongue.
