Page 67 of Alpha Heat
“Perhaps.” Urho rubbed a hand over his forehead, thinking hard.
“Don’t be such a coward,” Vale said sharply.
“What?”
“Surely you could find someone to look after the omega who is pregnant with twins? And we could engage another doctor—just for a day or so. What’s really stopping you?”
Urho’s shoulders tightened. The idea of anyone else as Vale’s doctor…no. He didn’t want that. But the vibrating sensation in his body, the sense that he was a bell that’d been rung, was undeniable. Maybe he was too cowardly to see what he’d wrought, to test his mettle, and to keep his commitments to Xan and Caleb.
He cleared his throat. “This flu contagion is growing in proportions that frighten me. The omega expecting twins and his alpha have decided it’s too risky to stay in town. They’re heading west to Elinton for the rest of his pregnancy.”
“Perfect. When they’re gone, you should go up and stay with Xan.”
“I could, but—”
Jason entered with a stack of mail and a tray of tea. “The door was only the postman. He was coughing up a storm. Ugly wracking coughs. I’m not sure he shouldn’t be home.” Jason nodded at the envelopes. “Out in this cold weather with a cough like that, he’ll catch his death, as my father would say. And all for a stack of junk mail and fliers.”
“Go wash your hands,” Urho said, standing up. “And burn that mail.”
Jason paled and stared down at the offending papers like he held a murder weapon in his hands. “The flu,” he whispered.
“Do what I said,” Urho commanded.
Jason fled the room, and Vale chewed on his bottom lip. “Do you think he’ll get sick?”
“I hope not. For your sake. The real danger, though, is ifyouget sick.”
Vale nodded. “I heard rumors that this flu is bad enough that some young people are dying from it. A boy just last week—younger than Jason, healthy and hale, and then he was gone.”
“I think the omega with twins has the right idea.” Urho sighed. If he fled the city with Vale and Jason, he’d be leaving his duty to the citizens behind, but keeping his promise to Jason to see Vale through to the end of the ordeal. “I can host you at my country home.”
Another two hours south. Even farther from Xan. His heart ached.
Vale’s eyes went wide and he shook his head. “No, no.”
Urho knew exactly why Vale didn’t want to do that. Urho had handled many of Vale’s heats at his country home, and it would be far too awkward for all of them to be there together. “What about the house at Seshwan-By-The-Sea? The one Jason’s parents keep?”
“They’re heading there for their anniversary in a few weeks, and, to be dramatic, I’d rather die than be caged in a house with the two of them right now. They’re as bad as Jason, only I don’t adore them. Miner’s always trying to mother-hen me, while Yule is constantly shoving food into my mouth. Did you know he cooks extra every night and brings it over here? Then I have to eat it even though Jason’s already fed me once.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I know! I’ve been looking forward to them leaving town, just to get a break.”
Urho said aloud, thinking to himself, “Virona is three hours north of here by train.”
Vale raised a brow and stroked his stomach. “And?”
“And Xan is always saying that the house is empty and Caleb is lonely.”
“I don’t know if Jason will agree. He barely lets me leave the house to walk to the market or—”
“With this flu going around, I want you to stop that immediately.”
“I haven’t been in over a week. I’m going stir crazy here. The garden is dying and the flowers are going, and I haven’t written a decent poem since I got knocked up. Do babies suck out all your inspiration? Is there scientific evidence of that? Because I could contribute to the studies.”
Jason came back into the room, looking shaken. “I burned the mail in the fireplace in the reception room and washed my hands in hot water. Do you think that’s good enough? Should I shower?” He started to turn and leave again. “I can shower!”
“You’re fine.” Urho said, gesturing to the leather wing chair that used to be his favorite when he could snatch it from Vale. “Sit down. We need to discuss this flu epidemic and the risk to this pregnancy and Vale.”
