Curiosity danced in her eyes. “Oh? Do tell. I’d lean in close, but my shoulder bloody hurts, even with all the meds they have me on.”
A flare of concern flashed, but he pushed it away. The best medicine for Jane was to keep her brain active. The second he started to hide things, she’d get the crazy idea to get out of bed and start hunting for information on her own.
“Well, the drugs and Delia’s missing tattoo remind me of what happened to Killian O’Shea. They found him with no memory of his past life, his dragon, and he also had his tattoo lasered off.”
“Is Delia the same way?”
“I don’t know. The one difference is that the doctors were able to flush her system. We won’t know anything until she wakes up.”
“Oh, Kai. I have faith that she’ll wake up with her memory intact. Stubbornness does run in the blood, after all.”
He took her hand. “I hope so.”
She gently squeezed his fingers. “I can tell you’re anxious to do something to help. I can manage here, Kai. Go and help Snowridge’s Protectors.”
“I can’t. There’s something else you don’t know.” Kai explained about the corruption and Rhydian cleaning house before adding, “Sebastian and Zain are here already, helping them. Protecting you is my top priority, Janey. I’m not going anywhere.”
Jane tried to hide her yawn, but failed. He added, “You need to sleep, love.”
“I would argue, but I can barely keep my eyes open. Being stabbed really takes its toll on a person.”
“I know,” he stated matter-of-factly.
“Oh? There’s a story I don’t know about. It can’t be worse than when you were shot.”
He smiled. “Sleep and I’ll tell you when you wake up—after a reasonable amount of time. No twenty-minute naps allowed.”
“My, someone’s bossy.”
He released her hand and crossed his arms over his chest. “I will channel Nurse Ginny if I have to.”
Ginny was the toughest nurse on Stonefire and handled all the most alpha patients.
Jane sighed. “As much as I’d like to see you wear a wig and put on a nurse’s outfit, even I will admit I need the sleep. Give me a gentle dragon cuddle and I’ll comply.”
His dragon spoke up. Yes, lots of dragon cuddles.
Kai ignored his beast to hug Jane as gently as he could, all while pressing his cheek to hers. “I love you, Janey.”
“I love you, too, Kai.”
After releasing his mate, he lightly traced her cheek. “Sweet dreams, love. The faster you heal, the faster I can take you home.”
Jane slowly laid down. “Not until Delia’s well.”
He was about to argue, but Jane’s eyes slid closed and she was out within seconds.
His beast said, I knew Jane would forgive us.
Kai grunted. I still wonder how I deserve her.
Maybe you don’t, but I do, his dragon teased.
Mentally giving his beast the double finger salute, Kai then watched the rise and fall of Jane’s chest. One part of his world looked to remain intact, but the question was whether his sister would fair the same way or not.
~~~
Rhydian Griffiths stared at Rian on the sofa in his office, fast asleep. The boy had lasted only a few minutes after eating his meal before passing out.