“Just another asshole trying to hurt me.” It comes out in another whisper, but this time my eyes water from the pain and the self-pity I’ve refused to acknowledge until now.
“Can you tell me where you’re hurting?”
“My knee and head.”
“Any other symptoms like nausea or dizziness?”
“Uh-uh.”
“I’m going to turn your head now to look at your injury. Relax your neck, if you can.”
“Okay.” He maneuvers my head and begins to pull my blood-matted hair out of the way, but the tangles snag and pull sharply against my scalp.
“Sorry,” he murmurs.
“It’s fine.”
“Thane, what’s your assessment?” Dr. Mercer asks.
“She’s still hemorrhaging, but it seems to be slowing down. It needs to be cleaned before I can determine the severity of the laceration and the appropriate method of closure.”
“Good. I suggest cooling the water in order to assist with swelling.” I feel the loss of his warm hands keenly. In the nextinstant, he presses his palms together and then slowly pulls them apart to reveal a small, swirling sphere of water.
It’s beautiful.
Light seems to sparkle in the center as he gestures with his fingers, and the ball comes closer. I can’t help but flinch reflexively.
“It’s okay,” His eyes lock on mine, and a moment later I nod. The shock of ice cold water against my scalp makes me grunt and tense, but his other hand moves from my head to my chest, holding me still.
I exhale sharply at his hot touch.
Something in my brain shifts when his large hand rests just below my neck.
Fuck.
My chest heaves as I inhale deeply, trying to keep from trembling.
In mere moments, the stinging, burning cut on my head begins to throb in time with my heartbeat, and I moan with relief when the worst of the pain begins to fade.
Our eyes meet, then his flick down when I lick my lips nervously.
Double fuck.
Dr. Mercer saves us from this hellish awkward tension. “Good. Given the size of the laceration, what method of closure would you recommend?” Thane gestures again and a stream of red-tinged water floats through the air before flowing into a sink in the corner of the room.
“Stitches and staples would cause unnecessary scarring. Tape would get stuck in her hair. It’s too wide for glue. Wielding would be the best option, I think.”
“I concur. Without blood magic, you’ll have to focus on the water content in the blood to identify the plasma, platelets, and blood cells: each one will feel different as your magic learnshow to separate them. Start by isolating the platelets to promote clotting. Draw them towards the wound.”
He nods and closes his eyes, one hand still on my chest and the other resting on my head. For one fleeting, stolen moment, I take him in.
This Thane is focused. Determined.
Even if it is just an act because Dr. Mercer’s here, I let myself pretend it’s real.
Thane Rorvik, Heir of House Aquae, theWorld Snake, is taking care of me.
“Tingles,” I murmur as my scalp prickles.
