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But for the time being, they watched the sun sink down below the horizon.
TWENTY-TWO
REIKA
The island was like a private sanctuary made just for Reika and her lover. Even though there were others that lived there and visitors who came and went occasionally, the lighthouse where they stayed stood alone on the farthest edge of the cliffs.
Reika loved to stand by the windows and watch the wind whip the sea into fierce white peaks with dark blue jaws. The waves climbed the sharp-edged rocks where the lighthouse stood, crashing against the shore. The place was so savage, isolated, and strange, yet it brought her incredible peace.
Their days were simple, and Reika had never experienced such quiet times. She would wake in Owen’s arms, comforted by his touch and soothed by his warmth. They’d eat a leisurely breakfast together before performing small, odd jobs around the lighthouse. It was a usual routine for them to take a walk along the beach every afternoon and sit up late into the night talking or reading to each other.
Even though there was no need to flee farther, neither of them wanted to stay on the island forever. The safety and peace were such a welcome refuge after being hunted that they were in no hurry, but they still wanted to travel. Maybe to Canada, the Eastern U.S., and even as far north as Alaska.
As the days passed and turned into weeks, Reika began to feel more and more tired every day. She didn’t take any pleasure from eating, and eventually, the situation got so bad that she could no longer keep her food down at all. She no longer enjoyed her walks by the ocean with Owen and spent many long hours curled up in bed.
One morning when Reika opened her eyes, coming out of a fitful sleep, she saw Owen sitting by the bed, watching her. She was so touched by the concern on his face that she almost cried … but it hurt her body too much to even try.
“You’re getting worse,” Owen said softly.
Reika nodded. “I don’t know what it is,” she said with an edge of desperation in her voice. “I must have caught something, a virus, maybe.”
Owen shook his head. “It can’t be a virus. It took quite a while for you to get sick, and you’ve gotten steadily worse over the last few weeks. You don’t have a fever or any other signs of infection.”
Reika tried to shrug and whimpered as her muscles and joints protested against the motion. Owen stood immediately, bringing her a glass of water.
“No, I can’t,” she moaned, her stomach turning over at the thought of putting something in it. Owen touched her gently on the shoulder, his eyes gleaming with barely restrained fear.
“You must! You have to drink something. Even if you can’t eat, you must keep your fluids up.”
“I really can’t,” she gasped, not even trying to get up.
Owen put the glass down on the nightstand and sat next to her. Reika let out a low moan as the bed moved, jolting her. When her mate put his arms around her, she almost cried out in pain.
Owen helped her sit up, keeping his hands as gentle as he could. Even though she protested, her voice was weak, and he paid little attention. Reika wished she could assert herself, tell him to let her lie down again, but she was too weak.
Owen braced his arm around her and reached for the water glass. Even though Reika moaned softly, shaking her head, Owen raised the glass to her lip and held it there until she had taken a sip.
“Enough,” she muttered as he pulled the glass away.
“One more,” he said, tilting the glass back to her lips. She felt bile rising in her stomach, but Owen set the glass to her lips once more and waited for her to swallow before taking it away.
Even though she had only been sitting up for a few minutes, Reika was now completely exhausted. Owen helped her to lie down, arranging the pillows and blankets, so her back and shoulders were supported. She knew he was concerned for her and not doing a great job of hiding it.
“You can’t go on like this,” he said. “You’re getting worse.”
She nodded, so weak that she could barely move her head. The sickness in her stomach seemed to seep through every inch of her body. Any movement she made set off fresh waves of nausea.
Owen reached out and touched her forehead, stroking her hair gently. He was desperate to relieve her pain, but he didn’t know what to do.
Nor do I. I’ve never felt anything like this before.
“You’re so dehydrated, your skin is getting papery,” Owen said, his voice stronger. “There are big dark circles under your eyes. You are steadily going backward.”
Reika nodded, the small movement sending waves of dizziness flooding through her.
“I’m going to die,” she said, her voice hoarse and weak. “If I don’t get medical attention soon, I’m going to die. I know it.”
Even though Owen looked calm, she saw the panic flash through his eyes. He was making every attempt to be there for her, but he was terrified.
