Page 71 of Dead Crown
The physician finally came out with her satchel and stared at Jaki. “Is that why he vanished so suddenly? He had your child and was afraid you’d be angry?”
Jaki hadn’t expected such a bold question from her. “She could be anyone’s.”
“You’re the only one around here with pink eyes. I’m not stupid, Your Majesty. She looks like you both.”
Others would notice too. “Whatever you think, keep your mouth shut. I don’t need rumors floating around before anything has been decided. Lumi’s been through enough without people whispering behind his back. I’m more worried about his and Jacqueline’s health.”
Surely, she’d also noticed the resemblance between them too now that Lumi wasn’t dying his hair and the fur on his ears and tail. Even though everyone thought Edur was dead, it didn’t mean she couldn’t figure it out.
Jaki had guessed unlike everyone else.
“He’ll be fine.” She drew nearer. “I healed the bruising that remained. In his delicate areas, he’ll be fine too. He knows that if anything changes, he can ask for me. I told him no sex for six weeks to ensure his insides are fully healed. An abundant male can sometimes get pregnant quite quickly again like a woman after birth. Not always, but it can happen, and I recommend anyone capable of birth to wait at least a year between children. It’s healthier.”
“I highly doubt he plans to have another baby anytime soon.”
“I tell all of my patients this regardless of what they intend at the moment. Jacqueline is also well, and Lumi’s producing enough milk. He still needs to eat more because he’s a bit thin. As the baby grows, he’ll need to feed her more. A newborn’s stomach is quite small. Her appetite will grow larger.”
“I’ll make sure he eats enough.”
She paused. “He’s different from before. I don’t know what happened to him when he left…I’ll assume it wasn’t good.”
He took a deep breath. “There are a lot of cruel bastards out there.”
She looked down. “I’d recommend peace and quiet, Your Majesty. I’ll bring him a jar of herbs, and he should steep two large spoonfuls in hot water to drink every morning. It’s to help the mind, although I can’t guarantee results.”
Jaki had heard of the herbs for melancholy and such. How well they worked was debatable.
“If he tries to refuse, insist he take them,” she added. “Men have a habit of pretending they don’t need certain things, but it’s not something to be ashamed of. The mind can be worn out and injured just like a body part.”
Once she left, Jaki went in to see Lumi who was lying on the bed. Jacqueline was next to him and holding one of his fingers.
“It seems you’ll both be physically fine overall,” Jaki said as he sat on the bed.
“Yeah,” said Lumi. “I feel better with the bruising gone.
“You need to take the herbs she’ll give you,” said Jaki. “Every morning.”
“I will. I want to take a nap now.”
“Do you want a bath first?”
“No. I’m tired, and I just want to sleep.”
It’d be the first sleep in a real bed in a truly safe place.
“All right. I need to go see Father.”
***
“My friend isn’t feeling well.” Jaki settled into a chair. “I didn’t like the physician he had at home, so I brought him here. Ours is a lot better. He also needs total rest and wasn’t getting it at home. Er, he has a lot of siblings, and it’s never quiet.”
Elswere nodded as he sat in front of the fire in his sitting room. “Makes sense. Er, is he dying?”
“No. He needs better care, and it’s been quite a strain on him, so he’ll be staying for a while. Nobody is to see or bother him.”
“Okay. What was his name? Erik?”
“Mhm.”
