Page 123 of Captive Heart

She looks around, glassy eyed. “That’s nice.”

Casting a glance over her form, I try to guess at what might be wrong with her. Is this something that is normal for pregnant women?

Or is it more insidious than that?

For a hot second, I lament the fact that I never even considered becoming a doctor. In the military, I suppose I had a choice… But I was already too busy cracking skulls to even think about taking that path. I can always get a doctor… but there are very few men with my set of unique skills in the world.

Same for my brothers. I suppose we Lyon men are a violent clan.

My phone buzzes, declaring that I have reached my destination. Pulling up outside the little cabin I’ve rented, I consider it for a moment.

Penny clears her throat. “It’s very tidy looking. I like the red walls and white roof.” She tilts her head. “It looks cozy.”

Getting out of the car, I eye the cabin. It is really chilly here, colder than I expected and twice as windy.

Persephone yelps as an unexpected blast of cold air hits her as she climbs out of the car.

“Ah! I’m going straight inside!”

She rubs her arms as she sprints the short distance to the cabin and lets herself inside.

Taking a moment to take our bags from the trunk, I cast a glance around and see a distant neighbor looking at us. His dark hair blows in the sharp, cool wind. He shields his eyes against the sun and zips up his dark parka. When he sees me notice him, he gives me a two fingered salute and heads inside the nearest building.

Surveying the rest of the scene takes less than a minute. Then I lug the bags inside the warmth of the cabin, closing the door. The inside of the cabin is indeed cozy, with a large modular fireplace taking up most of one whole wall. Opposing the fireplace is a simple living room set up, a couch and a chair, piled high with blankets and surrounded by bookcases filled with books. There is a small, tidy kitchen, a very tiny bathroom, and a cramped bedroom.

The bed, piled high with colorful wool blankets, looks particularly inviting. That’s where I find Penny, already sleepily tucking herself in. She covers up her entire body, leaving only her face sticking out.

“It’s nice in here,” she croaks.

I move to stand over her, feeling her forehead. She’s unbelievably hot and seems to be having trouble staying awake.

“I think you need a doctor,” I tell her.

Penny yawns, throwing back the covers on the other side of the bed. “Come here. Spoon me. That’s all I need.”

Kicking off my shoes, I start to unbutton my shirt. But even before I climb underneath the covers, Persephone is asleep again.

Chapter8

Hades

Asharp kick wakes me from my sleep near twilight. I squint at the window, trying to decide what time it is, what day. I still feel sleep deprived, so I’m guessing I’ve only been asleep for a few hours.

Another kick rouses me from my stupor. I roll over to find that Persephone stirs restlessly, still dreaming but muttering and moving her arms and legs. She has thrown off the covers and glistens with sweat; the sheets around her body are damp with perspiration, too.

I reach out a hand and touch her forehead. Her skin is flushed and hot under my hand. It’s been ages since I’ve seen anyone this feverish. Not since I was a child and my little brothers both caught some viral infection that had them both sweating through the sheets.

I feel about as useful now as I did back then. My fists tighten as I try to rouse Penny.

“Penny.” I shake her, at first gently but then again with more vigor. “Penny, wake up.”

Her eyes open for a moment, seeming bright against the flush of her cheeks. She opens her mouth, senseless words burbling out.

“I don’t want my hair brushed.”

“Lass, it’s me,” I say, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Do you think you can sit up?”

Penny tries to tug her arm from my grasp, frowning. She is pretty insistent when she speaks, although her words don’t make any sense.

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