Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 117336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 587(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
He gazes at me thoughtfully, not offended. "I see. Perhaps you will feel more comfortable with our union in time."
That's a…rational answer, and he continues to surprise me. "Maybe."
I continue treating my patient as Azar stands there, watching me. I have to focus on the man in front of me, the one suffering from heatstroke and not the one consuming my thoughts. I'm running low on water already, despite it being early afternoon, but I don't stop. I could cool Jim down properly with a cold bath, or air conditioning, but we have neither. So I keep pressing wet cloths to his chest and hope for the best. Luckily he was brought to me before he got too bad, but I'm still going to need more water. I glance over at Azar. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to fetch me some more water for this man? There's an extra bucket by the door."
His brows furrow as he studies me. I wait for him to refuse, to say that sort of shit is beneath him. To my surprise, he picks up the bucket and heads out the door.
Okay, I was not expecting that.
Just then, Jim moans and starts to shiver. Fuck. I need to stop his shivering because it's going to send his body temperature up again. I jump to my feet and move to my medicine cabinet, picking through what I have. Benzos or muscle relaxers are ideal to stop the shivering, but I have neither. Biting back frustration, I grab some Tylenol and race back to his side. "Jim," I say, grabbing my water bottle. "Can you drink? I need you to take this medicine."
I manage to get a few sips of water into him and one of the Tylenol before I give up. Instead, I focus on fanning him with a paper fan to cool him down even more, hating that he continues to shiver and I'm helpless to stop it. I don't have the ability to run an IV to give him saline to rehydrate him. I have needles and the set-up, but not enough water. There's never enough water.
The doors open again, and to my surprise, Azar sweeps in, followed by six of the militia soldiers. All of them are carrying buckets, and one by one, they set them down in front of me. He nods approval and turns to the closest man. "Until we have water established here, your job is to ensure that my consort has everything she needs. If she needs water, you make sure she has it. If she needs bandages, you make sure she has it. If she needs supplies, you tell me and I will make sure they are sent for. I do not wish to hear about her running out of anything. Understand?"
The man gives Azar a crisp nod. "Understood, my lord. I won't let you down."
"I know you won't." He waits until the men leave again and then turns back to me. "Simply ask, and I shall provide for you."
I pause in my fanning. "Thank you."
I get to work cooling my patient again. This time, I soak one of the thin blankets in my clinic and drape it over his body, and when he rouses, I get him to take one more pill and to drink more water. When he stops shivering, I'm finally able to relax…and I notice Azar is still in the clinic. He lurks behind me a fair distance, leaning against the wall and watching me work.
"You're still here," I point out, because I feel as if I should say something.
"I am. You seem surprised."
Getting to my feet, I return to gently fanning my patient, my back to Azar. "This can't be entertaining for you. Don't you have a fort to run?"
"I enjoy watching you work." He moves forward, changing spots so I have no choice but to look at him. "You do not want me here?"
After he got me more water? After he's been polite and almost friendly? It seems like a dick move to shoo him away, and he's not interfering with my patient. Even so, I'm not comfortable in his presence. I keep waiting for him to expect something from me. To ask for something I'm not willing to give. I don't trust him, and that makes it hard to function normally. "You can stay."
Silence falls between us. Azar smiles, ducking his head and maneuvering to try and get my attention. "But you will not talk to me?"
"I…don't know how to talk to you like a normal person."
He chuckles, not offended by my words. "I suppose that is fair. And I am not a 'normal' person, as you put it. I am not human, not like you. But you can still talk to me. I am your ma—your lord." He frowns to himself, then quickly smooths the expression away to something slightly more charming. "Pretend I am here to get tended for an illness and speak to me as you would anyone else."