Page 18 of Incurably Cupid

I nodded, already half-drifting into sleep.

What feltlike only moments later, the light above me flicked on. Indie was sitting on my bed, placing a bag on the nightstand.

“They just delivered everything. The doctor made me promise to use the new supplies tonight to change your bandages again.”

I blinked groggily, then nodded. I adjusted the head of the bed, making it easier for her to reach my wounds.

She was in pajamas now; a plain silky black tank top and matching pajama shorts. She looked... beautiful in a way I’d never truly noticed before. I had objectively recognized her beauty, but this felt different—more like... attraction. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt attracted to someone. Embarrassed by my thoughts, I avoided her gaze as she peeled away the old bandages.

“Brace for pain,” she said, preparing the new antibacterial wash. Then she used a damp warm rag and poured some of the wash onto it, rubbing my chest down with it.

I clenched my teeth and squeezed my eyes shut, holding my breath. It felt as if a dragon had set fire to my chest.

Leo warbled in sympathy. He projected a large gargoyle standing next to me with its arms folded over its chest. Its eyes were compassionate.

“Leo,” I gritted, “why are you a gargoyle right now?”

“Solidarity,” Leo replied, and I almost laughed—until Indie poured more of the wash onto my chest. I clenched my jaw and tried to think of something, anything, pleasant... but it wasn’t working. Maybe I didn’t have enough pleasant things in my life.

Indie finished the wash quickly, then applied the pain-numbing cream. I sighed in relief as my muscles relaxed,drawing in a shaky breath. My hands trembled. Indie taped the gauze down and then had me lean forward so she could reach the wounds on my back.

“Almost done,” she promised. “Brace yourself.”

I braced myself, but it wasn’t enough to prepare for the firestorm of pain that followed. It felt like my back was being flayed, then flambéed. Sweat beaded on my brow, and I clenched my jaw so tightlythat my skull began to throb with a headache.

Indie moved quickly, washing my back with the solution, then rubbing in the pain-relieving cream. I went boneless in relief. It already felt much better than it had.

Indie washed her hands and put away the medical supplies, then insisted I eat something so I could take my meds. She was a fantastic nurse to a stubborn, rock-headed gargoyle, and I appreciated her help, even though it embarrassed me that I needed it. I would try to find the words to thank her tomorrow.

After the meal and my meds, I lowered the top portion of my bed back to its neutral position. Either Indie or Leo turned off the light, but I didn’t notice because I was out until morning.

Chapter 7

Indie

“Love encourages.”

Cupid Inc. New Recruit Training Manual

Mordecai came over, bright and early the next morning. I dragged the door open and glared at him in silence while he smiled evilly and invaded my home.

“Got any bacon?” he asked as he made his way to my kitchen and fridge, his garnet wings folded neatly against his back, disgustingly peppy for so early in the morning. My poor wings drooped. I had no strength to do anything at this hour.

I groaned, closing the door and leaning against it. “Why are you here on my only day off?”

He pulled bacon, eggs, bell peppers, cilantro, and cheese from my fridge, then rummaged around until he found a skillet. “Friends feed each other, right?”

“Statistically, yes,” Leo chimed in from the smart wall in my kitchen.

I growled and stomped over, muting the wall. “You know I can just shout from the bedroom, right?” Leo called out.

I looked to the heavens in a why-me gesture and slumped into a chair at my kitchen table.

“Late night?” Mordecai asked as he cracked a few eggs into a bowl. “Want an omelette?”

“Yes, two. Thanks.”

“Hungry today, huh?”

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