I ignore thehim laying next to me partand focus on therestpart. “Yes,” I tell him. He stares at me a little while longer before he standsto his feet.
He makes his way to the other side of the bed and peels off what’s left of his shredded, mangled shirt and kicks off his boots. “That’s all you’re taking off, right?” I ask, watching him.
His eyes bore into mine. He opens his mouth like he’s going to say something and then closes it. “Yes.” He doesn’t say anything more as he climbs onto the bed next to me. “Is it okay if I lay on the bed with you? I don’t want to lie on the floor.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Of course, it’s fine.”
I watch him carefully as he settles on his stomach. Because he’s so close, I don’t fail to see the pain on his face as he tries to get comfortable. My eyes scan what I can see of his back, and fresh new anger surges. “I’m okay,” he says quietly. My eyes fly to his face, and I see he’s watching me carefully.
I don’t know whether to play off my concern or reprimand him, but when a huge yawn overtakes me, and I start to feel a little fuzzy, I realize the pain reliever and sedative are thankfully starting to work.
I blink, and my eyes suddenly feel weighted down. His image starts to waver, and I blink again. I’m not really sure if it’s reality or just my imagination when his hand comes out and tucks a hair behind my ear and then lingers on my cheek. The touch is so light that I’m sure I imagine it. But then I hear a low, raspy voice say, “Just rest. I’ll be here when you wake up.” And then I really know I’m not awake when I feel a big hand thread through mine, and a thumb stroke the back of my hand so incredibly gently. That’s the last thing I remember before I fall into a deep sleep.
Chapter 50
I wake several times, but only for a few seconds at a time. I'm aware of time passing, but every time I try to wake up fully, I'm sucked back into a deep sleep. I feel hands on me a few times and hear a voice calling my name. I open my eyes and see dark eyes close to my own. I hear a deep voice that I feel I should know, but each time, I simply succumb to the pull of sleep again. When I finally break through the pull of sleep, I realize it’s day time. I blink, realizing I must have slept all through the day before and the night as well. I take stock in my leg and realize it doesn’t hurt nearly as badly as it did before. “You’re finally awake.” I startle at the sound of Kinsley’s voice and turn to her.
“Good morning.” My voice is hoarse and scratchy, and Kinsley hands me a cup of water. I drain it and put it back on the end table. I use my arms to push myself up.
Welcome back to the land of the living,Redara sends me.Just for a heads up, Noxlyn told his bonded that you’re awake. Better brace yourself.
I frown.For what? Rauk?
Yes.
“Are you talking to your dragon?” Kinsley asks. Then she waves a hand. “Never mind. I can tell by your face that you are. Did she tell you about Rauk?”
“What’s wrong with him?” I demand, sitting up straighter in bed. I note that Kinsley’s eyes widen. “What happened?”
“Other than the fact that he is causing absolute chaos here, and everybody is ready for the Dragon King to go home? And by everybody, I mean Kaldar, most of all.”
I frown. “What does that—”
The door to the room blows open and slams into the wall, surprising me and scaring me so much that I flinch. “What in the world, Rauk? What are you—” My words die in my throat at the look in his eyes. His eyes look crazed. “Did something happen to Auri?” I ask, fear tightening my throat.
He turns his head to Kinsley, and she jumps up from her chair. “Don’t mind me; I’m leaving.” Without even a look at me, she rushes for the door. “Bye, Harper.” She leaves a moment later, and I stare after her in shock. Then my eyes return to Rauk. I take in his appearance. His face is scruffier than I remember, and he has circles under his eyes. My mind instantly goes to his back. “Are you in pain? Is it your back?” He continues to stare at me. “Rauk, snap out of it. What is the problem?”
He stalks towards me. “They gave me too strong of a sedative for you.”
I blink. “Come again.”
“The sedative,” he barks at me. “It was too strong.”
“Don’t yell at me,” I snap at him. “It’s not my fault.”
I watch as his entire body seems to relax. His shoulders drop, and he takes a deep breath, even going so far as to close his eyes a moment. When he opens his eyes, the crazed look is gone. “You’re snapping at me.”
I give him a look. “Yeah? Well, you seem to have that effect on me,” I say dryly.
“That’s good.”
I wrinkle my nose in confusion. “Rauk, are you losing your mind?”
He laughs; it’s low and deep. “You seem to have that effect on me,” he parrots my words.
I throw my hands up. “Okay. I’m officially totally confused.”
He runs his hand over the back of his neck. “Yeah. I get that.”
