He rolled over with a groan, struggling to push himself upright.Ancelin wedged her shoulder under his arm, but his massive frame barely budged under her support.
Ancelin watched Krevan struggle to sit up, her hands hovering near his shoulders."Let me help you," she whispered.When he finally perched on the edge of the bed, she eased his blood-stained shirt over his head.The skin beneath was nearly unmarked.
"You need to eat."She pressed the sandwich to his lips."Please.When I saw you fall, I thought—" Her voice cracked."I can't lose you too."
"I'll heal," Krevan said, taking the food from her trembling fingers."The food and some coffee, and relaxation will do the rest."
“Not too much coffee.”Ancelin suddenly bolted into the bathroom.Her stomach heaved violently, emptying itself of nothing.She gripped the toilet bowl, her knuckles white, when warm hands gathered her hair back.
"I heard you earlier downstairs," Krevan murmured, easing beside her on the edge of the tub."The sandwich helped me.But you—is this shock or illness?"
Unable to speak, Ancelin could only shrug.Krevan held her until the spasms subsided, then carried her back to their bed.They undressed in silence.He finished the remaining sandwich and drained his coffee before sliding under the covers beside her.
In the dim light, they faced each other.Ancelin's eyelids grew heavy, but sleep brought no peace—only visions of Krevan falling, of blood on snow, of being utterly alone.She woke with a gasp to find him stroking her hair.
"We're safe now," he whispered.
"But they'll come back."Tears streamed down her face."I can't do this anymore."
"Quiet now," he whispered, his lips brushing her hair."The storm buys us time.Whoever sent those men won't know they've failed for days, and even then, the journey here isn't quick.The snow hides us—and their vehicles too, for now."His fingers traced circles on her shoulder."We might need to leave Verrian once I reach my father.We'll decide then."
Ancelin's tears dampened his chest."I've brought this danger to your door, to your family.Everything I touch turns to—"
"No."Krevan tilted her chin up, his eyes finding hers in the dim light."Before you, I was just surviving.Now I'm living."His voice dropped lower."You’re mine, and I’m yours.None of this is your burden to carry alone."He pressed his lips to the curve where her neck met her shoulder, then grazed the skin with his teeth, making her shiver against him.
"Stop that," Ancelin whispered, pushing his lips from her shoulder."The doctor said you need to conserve your strength and your venom."
Krevan's mouth returned to her skin."I'm programmed to comfort my mate.Come, let's sleep.Another hour and I'll be recovered."
Ancelin's stomach lurched.She pressed a hand against it.
"Need the bathroom again?"Krevan asked, his arm tightening around her waist."Just say the word.Though it's likely just shock.Your body processing what your mind can't yet.Natural reaction."
***
When Ancelin opened her eyes next, the bed beside her was empty.She showered quickly and descended the stairs to find Krevan stretching to hang sheets over the plastican-covered windows.
"I told you I'd do that," she said, her voice tight with worry.
"Morning, beautiful."Krevan's arms encircled her waist, drawing her close."The sheets are up.It didn’t take but a minute."His eyes, clearer than yesterday, searched her face."You needed that sleep.How's the stomach?Outside's still a whiteout—SatView's dead, comms too.Just us and these four walls for entertainment."The corner of his mouth lifted in suggestion.
Ancelin leaned into his chest."Doctor's orders, remember?No...exertion and no sex."Her fingers traced the nearly invisible marks where his wounds had been."Are you really better?And next time, let me help with something.I'm not completely useless around here."
"Eighty-five, ninety percent recovered."His palm slid down the curve of her back, settling possessively."I’m much better.The doctor doesn’t realize my recovery abilities.I'm thinking we don’t have to wait much longer."His touch lingered, warm through the thin fabric of her clothes.
Ancelin swallowed hard and pressed her palm against her forehead."Everything's spinning."
Krevan's brow furrowed."Still nauseous?"
"Haven't stopped since those men broke in."She leaned against the counter."Probably just nerves, like you said."
"Maybe."His voice was noncommittal.
A howl tore around the house, making the plastican shudder.Ancelin hugged herself."Thank god for modern materials.We'd be buried in snow otherwise."
Krevan's eyes remained fixed on the temporary barrier."Once communications are back, I need to contact my father.But we'll have to be careful—SatView, Satphone—they could be monitoring everything now that they've found you.We might need to bring in Triaxe authorities, maybe even Earth government."He turned to face her."Whatever your father's crystal is, it's valuable enough for murder.We need to be extremely cautious with it."
"My father wouldn't have put me in harm's way.Not deliberately."
