Forgive me, Rage.
I pried open his teeth and slipped my bleeding finger into his mouth, enough to get at least a drop of blood on his tongue.
Clearly, I was desperate andpsycho, treating my mate like a vampire, but I’d do anything to save him. No way could this day get any worse.
I watched him—full-on stared—and when Rage took several unlabored breaths, I sagged with relief.
Maybe it was working…
His chest shuddered, and he released a long exhale. At least, his breathing was getting better.
Except he didn’t take another one.
I counted to ten and then counted to ten again.
Oh, mage.
Scratch kissing. If all thoseGrey’s Anatomyreruns were right, now it was time for mouth-to-mouth. Had my blood only hastened his death? The thought punched me in the stomach, and tears burned my eyes as I yanked my finger from his mouth.
There were ratios for mouth to mouth breathing, but I had no idea what they were. Twenty breaths a minute? Ten? Fifty? Five? Why didn’tGrey’s Anatomycover these important details? And CPR included chest compressions, but a quick check told me his heart was still beating—for now.
Seriously, if Rage ever became alpha king, I’d make him change the curriculum at the academy. First-aid would be mandatory for all incoming students.
After sucking in a deep breath, I lowered my mouth to his and blew. A wet raspberry noise curdled the air around my ears. Obviously,thatwasn’t right.
I probably needed to open his mouth. Wasn’t there something about the mouth in the ABCs of CPR? Was that tidbit of info fromGrey’s? I had no idea, but it seemed reasonable, and I clung to the knowledge like a lifeline. I tugged on his chin, relieved when his lips parted. After another deep breath, I lowered my head and let my lips rest on his, then I exhaled into his open mouth. Halfway through, I realized I needed a better seal, including one over his nose.
Holy Mother Mage.
This washard.
“Please,” I begged Rage’s unconscious form. “Don’t you dare leave me.”
What had made him take such a drastic dive downhill? Grandpa had said an hour. Dammit! Why did Rage jump in after me?
My only assurance that he wasn’t dead came because I didn’t see his spirit. I would’ve lost my ever-lovin’ mind if I had. Once more, I took a deep breath, and then, while pinching his nose closed, I pressed my lips to his. With a forceful exhale into Rage’s mouth, I felt his chest rise.
Halle-frickin-lujah!
Tears rolled down my cheeks. After I blew into his mouth the next time, I tasted the salt from my tears when I licked my lips.
Wait—wait—wait! I blinked, trying to process through my panic. I glanced at my finger— The cut was sealed. So if my blood had somehow … I donno … healed him when I’d put a small bit in his mouth, then maybe more of it … would do better? Maybe I couldn’t think straight, but the idea of my blood having magic seemed plausible, considering Surlama’s greediness for it. And if a little on the tongue was good…
After another breath, I grabbed Rage’s dagger and sliced through my palm, hissing at the fresh sting. As soon as blood beaded on my skin, the glowing purplish hue reinforced my cray-cray plan. I drew the dagger over the wound again, making it deep enough that it wouldn’t heal right away. As the blood dripped onto his shirt, I opened his hand. After a deep breath, I dragged the blade over the meaty part of his palm and then smashed our hands together like we were making a blood pact.
This better work…
I stalker-stared at my mate, noting the rise and fall of his chest, the thrum of his pulse in his neck, the color of his skin. He looked better, but the seconds became minutes, which felt like an eternity. Was he going to wake up?
“Rage!” I shook him, desperation once again taking hold of me.
With a deep gasp, his eyelids flew open.
“You ass—” I hiccupped and choked on my own breath, then proceeded to sob and smack at him, while relief coursed through me. “I…”Cough, sob, smack. “…thought you were…”Cough. Smack. Hiccup. “…dead.”
He rubbed his chest but was grinning. “Me too,” he said hoarsely. “I couldn’t breathe.” He sucked in a deep breath. “I don’t know what you did, but … thanks for saving me.”
I forced a swallow and drank him in. His color was slightly improved, not so ashy but still pale.
