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)
I stroke Melina's cheek. "Wake up, love. I have to ask you something." I need her consent before I change who—and what—she is. "Wake up, please."
She moans, shivering.
Soothing her, I brush my fingers over her soft skin. "I'm here, love. I have you. Wake up for me."
As if lost in her fever, Melina turns her head, her movements heavy, and her lashes flutter open, just a hint. It's enough to please me, though, and my heart feels as if it could burst when she focuses on me. "I'm so tired, Azar."
"I know, my heart. You're sick. We're looking for medicine, but I wanted to give you a different treatment." I take her limp hand in mine and press kisses to her clammy palm. "Will you let me share my blood with you?"
"Blood?" She gazes at me, uncomprehending. "Why blood?"
"Dragon blood might help you get better." I press kisses to each delicate fingertip next. "It might not work, but will you let me try?"
Her lips curve in the faintest of smiles. "Sure."
"It will be my blood," I warn her. "You might end up smelling like you belong to me." And my traitorous, not-very-Salorian cock stiffens at the thought. "I wanted you to know before we moved forward, to make sure it was all right with you." I search her face. "I will do nothing without your consent."
"Oh, there's a change," she murmurs, and her voice is so drowsy with fatigue I can't tell if she's joking or trying to wound me. Her eyes drift shut again.
"Melina?" I gently pull her upright, cradling her neck. I search her face, but it's like responding to me has taken all her energy. Still, I must know. "Is that a yes?"
Her eyes flutter open again and she manages a nod.
Encouraged, I tug her against my chest, sitting her upright. "Can you manage some food? Some water? You have to eat, love."
"I'm tired," she protests, but she manages to eat a few bites, and takes a few sips of water. A moment later, a deep, racking cough shakes her, the sound of it wet and unpleasant. Her sickness sounds as if it is moving to her lungs, and the thought fills me with terror. She coughs and coughs until I think she can't stand it any longer, and then collapses against my chest, her breathing shallow.
"Don't worry, love," I whisper to her. "I'm going to save you. No matter what it takes."
Gary sets up the thing he calls an “IV.” He pierces my arm with a thick needle, a slender tube attached to Melina's arm on the other side. I remain still as I can, watching Melina for any signs of trouble. I want every drop of blood in my veins given to Melina if it will help her, but Gary insists that only a little at a time is best, since we might not be compatible blood types.
I don't even know what that means. All I know is that it's another frustration.
I watch Melina all night, waiting for her to show a change. Some sort of subtle difference that will tell me if my blood is helping her or not. By morning, Melina seems weaker than ever before. She doesn't rouse when I try to wake her to eat. She's given more of my blood, but I cannot tell if it's having an effect or not. Frantic, I sniff her skin, but she doesn't even smell like me.
Are we poisoning her trying to save her? Does she need a drakoni instead of me?
I push outward with my thoughts, searching for Jurik or his daughter to contact him. Medicine? I send out desperately. Did you find anything?
Nothing, Jurik sends back. There was nothing.
My shock that he would touch my mind voluntarily is quickly swallowed by desperation. There's nothing to help my Melina. My mate is dying before my eyes, and there is nothing I can do about it. Anger and helplessness war within me.
I can't let her slip away. Not like this. I caress Melina's face, memorizing her features. Then, I turn to her assistant.
"I need more blood," I snarl at the hovering Gary. "Drakoni blood. Mine isn't good enough for her." Perhaps Salorians have weaker blood than drakoni do. Perhaps that's the problem. "Find Gwen. Find Jenny. Anyone with a drakoni mate. Tell them I have urgent need of their partners. They must save Melina."
Gary hesitates. "I'm not sure it's a good idea—"
"Do it!" I bellow. "Come back with solutions or do not come back at all!"
He skitters backward, knocking over a tray in his haste. A moment later, he rushes out the door, and I can hear his heart pounding with fear. Good. He realizes I am desperate. I cradle Melina against me, gazing down at her lovely face. She's fading before my eyes. "We're going to give you the blood of others," I whisper to her. "I don't care if it changes your scent. I don't care if you reek of Jurik and Mhal and Vaan. I just want you to live."