Page 29 of The Alien's Pet

"Hi, Pet," he murmured as he sat down in a hard chair next to her. "Wake up for me, Pet. Please. It's an order."

Karin didn't stir. It was like she hadn't even heard him. He hated seeing her like this, so unmoving, so still. It made him worry Azis was right and he shouldn't get his hopes up.

"Karin, Pet. Can you hear me?"

Nothing.

He sighed. "You must be a very strong, brave pet and wake up for me. You had me worried sick for months. You cannot keep worrying me."

But she didn't wake up. She only made slight, wheezing noises which worried him very much. Azis had mentioned something earlier about the berries possibly messing up her lungs.

Hopefully, it would be fixed; otherwise, she would breathe like a broken machine for the rest of her life, and neither of them would like that.

Every bone in his body ached and he realized he hadn't slept in over twenty-four hours, possibly more if he was being honest. He'd only been getting a wink of sleep in the months following her disappearance. But he should sleep, especially since she wouldn't become well again in the blink of an eye.

Korrev leaned over and kissed her on her dry lips. "Sleep, Pet," he murmured as he pushed her blonde hair away from her face. "I will see you in the morning."

The days slowly passed. Korrev was losing his patience. Azis had warned him Karin's recovery would take weeks, possibly months, but he hadn't expected the wait to be so terribly long.

Karin still hadn't woken up, but some of the color had returned to her cheeks. The wheezing in her lungs wasn't as loud as it once was, but to be honest, he hadn't been pleased by her progress.

"What is taking so long?" He scowled at Azis one afternoon. "She should be awake by now."

"She's making the necessary progress," Azis informed him. "You can't expect her to wake up and pretend nothing is wrong. She's human, in case you have forgotten, Your Majesty. The fact she is alive is miraculous in itself."

He scowled.

Azis had known him since he was a boy, and therefore, the only one brave enough besides Kyvan to speak to him like that. He also knew he would never kill him. Azis was much too talented to lose.

"You can't breed her yet, not for several months if that's what you are concerned about," Azis suddenly blurted out.

"What?" he snapped.

"You can't impregnate her until I clear her," Azis repeated again. "If you want someone to carry your baby, might I suggest you look for someone else?"

"I am not thinking about impregnating anyone." Korrev sounded almost offended. "All I care is Karin being well again and not stuck in a bed for the rest of her life. Having a baby, is the least of my concerns."

Azis nodded as he patted him on his shoulder. "She will wake up. The mere fact she survived the poison and is healing is a miracle in itself."

Korrev tried not to lose hope, but he felt like he was fighting a losing battle.

Three days after his conversation with Azis, Korrev found himself ditching all of the meetings he was required to go to, choosing instead to sit by Karin's bedside.

It had been two weeks since they had rescued her. She looked almost healthy. As if she were simply sleeping and not recovering from the poisoning.

"Karin," he murmured as he stroked the inside of her wrist. "How much longer are you going to torture me? Please wake up for me, Pet."

Silence.

He didn't know what else to say. He wasn't very expressive, and to be honest, he was willing to promise her anything she wanted as long as she woke up. Jewels, gold, a bigger room, anything which would please her. But he knew deep down there would only be one thing which would make her happy.

Her freedom.

"I'll give it to you," his voice cracked, even though it was obvious she couldn't hear him. "I'll give you the freedom you so desire. I'll let you return to Earth. Just please wake up."

A little moan escaped her lips, so unexpectedly, he nearly jumped back in response.

Was she waking up?

---