Page 34 of Six
My phone died since I forgot to recharge it last night, and I have no idea where I am. I got lost at some point, and now I’m on a dirty road, surrounded by trees. My eyelids feel heavy, but I’m trying hard to stay conscious—dying of hypothermia is not one of my pre-approved ways to go.
Some hair has fallen in front of my face, but I’m too weak to push it away. My mind is foggy. I’m trying to remember where I was going in the first place, but I suddenly have to stop when I’m hit with a dizzy spell. I’m holding myself up on the trunk of a tree when I hear a voice.
“Kitty?”
Rague?
Did I faint and now I’m dreaming? The hand grabbing my arm feels pretty real to me.
“Jesus.” I hear Rague’s astonished voice. “Have you been walking in this weather?”
I widen my eyes, trying to look more clearly at my clothes. They are white with snow and shivering.Iam shivering.
Strong fingers grip my chin, tugging my head up. God, he’s so strong and commanding, I love it. I go with it as I have no strength in me whatsoever, and even if I did, I don’t want to fight him. The first thing to clear in my vision is Rague’s face, pinched with worry
It is Rague.
“Ollie, what are you doing here? Are you okay?” His large, cold hand covers my forehead, and I tremble. “You’re burning up.”
“I know.” My voice comes out low and shaky.
It doesn’t matter, because he’s here. I smile at his rugged face, but he doesn’t reciprocate. There’s a line between his brows, and I try to lift my hand to smooth it out, but all I can reach is his hip. My frozen fingers land on a small patch of hot skin and quickly make their way under his shirt, pathetically seeking a place to thaw. My ice-cold fingers hurt at first, but then the aching turns to bliss. Rague hisses and stiffens but doesn’t push me away. My whole body takes that as an invitation and leans forward until my face presses against his warm chest.
It feels so good. My nose and cheek nuzzle the smooth fabric, and I stop only when my ear finds the steady heartbeat. My legs give out but strong arms wrap around me, and I’m suddenly enveloped by heavenly heat.
“Ollie?” His worried tone reaches a deep, hidden part of me.
I force my eyes open and try to look at him. His stubbled cheek is all I’m able to see, though.
“It’s okay. I’ll take care of you.” His rumbly voice is the sweetest lullaby.
I breathe out a relieved sigh and let my eyes rest. I can do that now. I’m safe.
When I wake, it’s to a gentle hand lifting my throbbing head. A soft cool pillow is placed underneath.
But I’m on fire. My body heavy, sweaty, and aching. I pull at the fabric covering my chest. It’s wet. I want it off. Deft, quick fingers pull it off me, and I can breathe easier.
“He has a high fever. Nothing to worry about. I think he just caught the seasonal virus that’s going around.” I hear a stranger saying. “Cold cloths will help with that.”
“So, if he takes the medicine, he’ll get better?” Rague’s voice sounds distressed.
“He also needs plenty of rest and to stay hydrated. Give it a couple of days, and he’ll be as good as new.”
“Why was he walking near your house, sick and in this weather?” a new voice asks.
I want to keep listening, but my brain becomes lax and everything turns black.
I jerk awake. In the time it takes to shake off sleep, Ifeel myself being maneuvered. “What? No,” I mumble, confused. My eyes don’t seem to work.
“Shh, just take these pills.” Rague’s raspy voice pushes all the anxiety away. I open my mouth and swallow the pills down with water. He lays me down on the bed again, his big, cool hand covers my forehead.
“Go back to sleep, Ollie. I’ll protect you.” A low whisper drifts to my consciousness. I feel the pressure of warm lips pressing a kiss to my temple before nodding off again.
Shaking. I can’t stop shaking.
“Ollie. What is it?” Rague’s concerned voice reaches me from somewhere nearby.
“C-c-collld,” I stutter. My teeth are chattering, jaw shaking. My whole body is shivering uncontrollably.
