Kizros took the steps two at a time, concerned but not surprised to find that Aofe had once again not left her room. He grabbed an assortment of food from the icebox—a selection of meats and cheeses he’d seen her snacking on, the vefuricot—which he tried not to think too hard about her enjoying but had gone and harvested half a dozen more for her anyway—and two glasses of water.
Tray full, he stopped outside her doorway and rapped a knuckle against the jamb. “Aofe?”
No answer, and no noise either.
Kizros leaned closer, keeping his horn from scratching the door as he strained to listen. There was an inhale, slightly wobbled, and then an exhale, and he let out a breath with her.
Still breathing, that was good.
He stared down at the tray in his hands,debating. Even demons liked privacy, and he’d promised Aofe that other than delivering clothing the first night, he would never encroach on her space. But…
She hadn’t left her room in two days. Hadn’t eaten. If she was ill, he… he was responsible for her, right? For protecting her and helping her create a new home? So, entering to deliver food was just part of the agreement he’d signed. And if she was fine, he could deal with her wrath. If she wasn’t…
That was the only argument Kizros needed for himself as he twisted the handle and let it silently creep open.
Her window was open to the street beyond, the setting moon letting the thinnest beam of moonlight into the room while the starlit sky highlighted the rest. It didn’t surprise him at how clean everything was—bare floors and her two set of boots lined up by the door. There was a small stack of clothing on the wardrobe next to the bathing chamber, presumably for changing after a bath, but there were very few other signs of someone living in the space.
Finally, his eyes landed on the lump of blankets and a small twist in Kiz’s chest eased as he watched it rise and fall with her breath.
Sleeping. Sleeping was… good. He’d questioned her ability to properly rest before, but it was nice to see that she did close her eyes once in a while.
Kizros crept inside on silent feet, the grace of a demon practiced in weaving through and around shelves of glass and sometimes snapping plants. There was an empty glasson her bedside table, which he removed with his tail before quietly setting the tray down.
There, he thought, taking the glass into his hands.Now when she wakes, she won’t have to go far for food.
It was completely unintentional that he turned toward the bed as he spun to leave. There was a bright spot of blue hair against the white linens, a little sweaty from her pale, hornless forehead. The blankets were tucked up to her chin, her body wrapped around the edges as she clung to them in her sleep. Even in a state that should have been peaceful, her body shook and face pinched every so often like she was uncomfortable.
Kizros stepped back. It’s not like hewantedto be rude and stare at her when she was sleeping, but…
It was just to check on her, right? To make sure she was okay and not turning completely gray. And it wouldn’t hurt if he pulled up a chair, just to monitor, because he wasn’t sure humans were supposed to leak so much and not replenish that liquid for two days.
He’d barely counted the gold jewelry on her rounded ear when Aofe let out a whimper. Her forehead wrinkled, eyes squishing tighter, and then a shiver wracked her whole body.
“Aofe?” Kiz asked, standing up so fast that the chair flew back. Even with crashing noise, she didn’t stir. “Aofe?”
She stayed shivering, lips parting over a word that, without his keen hearing, he wouldn’t havedeciphered.
“Hurts.”
Well, it came out as more of ahzz, but Kizros made some assumptions.
“Fuck, okay,” he stammered, looking around. He could grab her crutches, even lift her and carry her to a healer, but…
Balran was across town. He’d have to jostle Aofe in his arms to get there, and getting a ride wasn’t a guarantee. But…
“Hold on, Aofe,” he said, already running.
Kizros nearly fell down the stairs in his rush, sprinting to the back of his shop and snagging a vial from the back shelf. He’d warned Aofe away from it, but he’d seen some of the pain-relieving potions she’d been making. If those had been intended for her—the other ones she’d made for the humans hadn’t set for their full potency—then this would be plenty in a controlled dose.
He was back upstairs in less than two minutes, but it felt like a lifetime before he burst back into her room. Her shivers hadn’t gotten worse, which was both relieving and concerning as he knelt next to the bed and pulled out the dropper.
“Aofe,” he urged, tugging the blanket away from where she had pulled it over her lips. “I know you told me I can’t go around asking to look at your tongue, but I need to look at your tongue.”
She grumbled what was definitely nonsense and scrunched her nose.
“No, no, you’re so good at following instructions. You need to do this for me.”
“It hurts,” Aofe whispered deliriously, but kept her mouth open, which was good enough for him to work with.
