Page 151 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
Phaia nodded and dipped around the corner. She ran up the steps of a small bungalow and dug into her pocket, pulling out a key. After unlocking and opening the door, she waved them inside.
"Here, I got him," Rian said, wrapping his arm around Laurince’s waist.
Myra reluctantly let go and followed them inside, her gaze trained on Laurince the entire time.
Phaia scanned the empty street and slipped inside before locking the door. "It’s not much, but please make yourselves at home."
"It’s perfect," Myra said, offering her a tired smile. All the adrenaline drained from her body, and the exhaustion smacked into her.
"Is there a place we can…" Rian tipped his head in Laurince’s direction.
"Oh, yes!" Phaia scrambled past him. "This way. I have a small spare room. We can set him up in there."
"There’s really no—" Laurince bent over, his words cut short.
"Laurince!" Myra cried out and ran toward him. She threw one of his arms over her shoulder.
"Fuck," he bit out, his jaw popping.
"Come on," Rian said, throwing Laurince’s arm back over his shoulder and taking most of the captain’s weight from Myra.
They followed Phaia into a room with a small bed and a single nightstand. Carefully, they lifted Laurince onto the bed with Phaia’s help and Laurince’s protests. The captain tried to shake them off, but another spike of pain halted his complaints.
Once on the bed, Laurince arched back, baring his teeth.
"Here," Rian said, unbuckling his belt. "Bite down on this."
Laurince shoved the leather belt away.
"Do you want to lose your fucking tongue?" Rian shouted.
Myra stepped forward. "Let me," she said, hand open.
Rian rolled his eyes but gave her the belt.
She moved to the head of the bed. "Laurince."
He blinked, struggling to focus on her. She brushed her hand across his sweat-slicked forehead.
"Please," she begged, raising the belt.
Grimacing, Laurince nodded and pried his mouth open half an inch. She slipped the belt between his teeth. She held the sideof his face as he bit down, his body convulsing as another spike of pain overtook him.
"Is there anything I can get him? Maybe some tea?" Phaia suggested, shifting on her feet.
"That would be great, Phaia," Rian said, his attention focused on his friend.
Phaia nodded and hurried out of the room, her footsteps a soft clatter against the wooden floors.
Rian sat on the edge of the bed and gently placed a hand on Laurince’s shoulder. He glanced up at Myra. "Can you—is there anything you can do?"
Myra scraped her teeth against her bottom lip. "I’m weak, but it would be easier if…" She glanced at the spot Rian was currently occupying. "Contact helps."
Rian immediately stood and offered her his seat. "Please, anything. Just help him."
Myra took his seat. She wiped her hand gently across Laurince’s forehead, and he moaned, squeezing his eyes shut tighter.
"He’s burning up," she whispered. "We should get a wet rag, something to help cool him down." She made to stand, but Laurince’s hand immediately wrapped around her wrist. The leather fell from his mouth.
