“Is he in pain?”
“No, I think it’s just a bad dream,” he said.
I watched in amazement as he reached out to stroke Sonny’s forehead and the frown that had marred Sonny’s brow even in sleep smoothed out and he quieted. Erik murmured some soft, soothing words almost too quietly for me to hear. It didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Sonny heard them. And they calmed him down.
In barely two minutes, Erik had lulled Sonny into a deep, untroubled sleep.
My throat felt tight as I watched it. It was such an obvious thing, I realised. Of course Sonny would fall for his rescuer. It made sense.
And, as I watched the two of them together, their slender frames and their goodness radiating out, I couldn’t think of a single reason why it wasn’t the best idea ever.
Erik and Sonny would be perfect together.
And me? Well, I could be glad for them.
At least they were both here and alive and if they were happy then I’d be happy, too.
It took me a few times to be able to swallow properly because my throat was too constricted. Then I managed to ask, “Do you really think he’ll be okay?”
“Of course I do. He’s already sleeping more soundly than before.”
“He might have been delirious. He was muttering about tentacles.”
Erik’s cheeks went pink and he ducked his head, easing off the bed and walking to the door. “He was probably dreaming. Come and have lunch; it’ll make you feel better. I’ve heated up some soup and rolls.”
I stood, leaning on my crutch, and made my way out of the bedroom. Behind me, Sonny slept and I didn’t know if I were imagining it or not but his cheeks were less flushed than before. I hoped so.
Chapter 16
Erik
I’d been way too careless about revealing my tentacles. But they seemed to have a mind of their own where Sonny was concerned. It was as though my octopus thought that, now we’d wrapped Sonny in our arms once, we could do it again whenever we wanted. But we’d only let our tentacles touch him because he’s been in the water. Now he was in bed, tucked up and meant to be sleeping. I don’t know why I kept reaching them out to slide over his fair skin.
If I wasn’t careful, he’d wake up properly and notice that those tentacles he kept dreaming about were real.
Worse, Declan might get suspicious.
I couldn’t deny it if they accused me. What would I say?
Sweat broke out on my forehead and I took a deep, calming breath. I just needed to get through the rest of the day.
Declan came back into the room and sat on the couch, lowering himself carefully. It made me smile despite myself. He was such a good patient.
“How is he?”
“He’s sleeping much more calmly. I think his temperature is going down.”
“That’s great. He’ll probably be fine by morning.”
I’d been saying that every half an hour, it seemed, because Declan kept going in to check on Sonny. It was as though he couldn’t bear to take his eyes off Sonny, as though if he were out of sight, he might slide beneath the surface again.
I reached out a hand to rest on his shoulder. “Declan?”
“Yes?”
“Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“Nothing.”
