“You need to rest.” He felt her hand on his shoulder but he ignored it, pulling himself more upright.
“What happened?” H is voice was hoarse as though he had been screaming for hours.
“You collapsed at dinner.” Catherine’s face was pale, but her voice was steady. “I had the servants bring you to your chambers.”
His head felt like a bag about to burst. He took a deep breath, focusing on the sensation of Catherine’s thumb brushing across the back of his hand.
“How long have I been…” Alaric trailed off.
“Since last night, though you turned a corner around six this morning.” Catherine trembled, and Alaric squeezed her hand gently without thinking. “I thought about waking you for breakfast, but you seemed to need the sleep.”
Has she been here all night?He wanted to ask, but the words got stuck in his throat. Instead, he said, “I do not think I could have eaten even if you had.”
Even the thought of food made his stomach turn uncomfortably. The mid-morning sunlight seeped through the gap in the curtains, but even that was enough to make Alaric wince.
Catherine caught sight of it and made as though to stand and shut them, but Alaric shook his head. Pain and nausea washed over him, making him double over and clutch at his stomach.
“Alaric!” He felt her hands on his face, her fingers brushing his sodden hair from his forehead.
“I am fine,” he rasped, collapsing against the headboard.
She arched an eyebrow at him. “Do not lie to me.”
“I should not have shaken my head, that is all.” Alaric gestured to the curtains and the light streaming through them. “Leave it. I just need some time to adjust.”
Catherine bit her lip and sat down gently on the bed beside him. “I... I thought you were going to die.”
The pain and fear in her voice cut through him like a hot knife through butter. He felt his arms reaching to pull her close but stopped himself.
“I did not mean to frighten you.” He took in the dark circles beneath her eyes, the red rimming edges of them, and the rumpled state of her clothes.
It felt as though a part of him was being torn in two while he pictured Catherine curled up beside him, tears streaming down her face. He had inflicted that pain on her.
“I thought at first that the fever was the worst. You seemed so in pain, and the heat… I did not know a body could get so hot. And you were saying all sorts of things…” An unreadable look crossed her face, and Alaric had the sense that she was waiting for some sort of answer from him.
What did I say?He did not ask; instead, he said, “I hope I was not unkind in my ramblings. I do not remember what I said; no doubt it was just the fever.”
“Of course...” Was that a catch in her voice? Before Alaric could ask, there was a knock at the door. “Enter.”
A footman appeared, followed by the physician. Catherine stood up and moved forward, cold air filling the space where her body had been just moments before.
Alaric swallowed and tried to sit up a little straighter. The physician inclined his head toward him. “Your Grace. Forgive me, I came as quickly as I could.”
“Thank you.” Catherine gestured to Alaric. “I trust you have been told everything?”
“Yes.” The physician began unpacking his bag as he stepped closer to Alaric, pulling out several instruments. “Might I inspect you, Your Grace?”
“Of course.” Alaric leaned back against the headboard, letting the physician get to work.
The man nodded and began running through various tests with Alaric. “How long have you been having these fits?”
“This is the first time it has been so severe. I have had several unsettling moments, and my headaches have been getting worse. I thought it was normal, as each time it has happened, I have regained a little more of my memories.”
“Should we have sent for you sooner?” Catherine clenched her hands into fists.
“Perhaps. Though I understand why h is Grace did not.” The physician put his tools away. “Your turn last night notwithstanding, you seem in good health to me. Her Grace appears to have gotten you through the worst of it.”
“I only wish I could have done more.” Catherine wrapped her arms around herself.
