Page 110 of Heart of the High King
“Get it out. If I can walk, I can take myself into the bathroom.”
“I’m willing to honor that request, but I’m not going to release you until at least tomorrow, okay? We’re not even sure yet if the swelling has stopped. It’s imperative we intervene if it becomes life-threatening. Because of it, you likely have generalized pain and achiness all over. Is there any place in your belly or chest where it’s more intense?”
“No.”
“Okay, then I’m going to ask everyone to leave so we can get that catheter out,” Dr. Suricata responded.
Aleksander stood and kissed Rafe. “I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
“Dr. Suricata?” Rafe asked.
“Yes?”
“Thank you,” Rafe told her, his voice wavering. “Not just for today but for everything. Since I came to Vegas, you’ve done everything possible to help me. I’m not eloquent or anything, but I want you to know that I appreciate you and your staff. I know I wouldn’t have come as far as I did without you.”
Dr. Suricata patted him again. “My pleasure, Rafe, and I know you would’ve persevered no matter who handled your care. I doubt I’ve ever worked with a patient with your kind of determination. Now tell your mate and his dukes to scoot.”
The dukes in question were still yawning and complaining as Brogan corralled the group into the hall.
“You think he’s grasped yet that he’s healed?” Worth asked, leaning against the wall. The Duke Argent was unperturbed by the strange looks he was getting from passing medical staff who were likely wondering about the tall man wearing pajamas with hot pink owls.
“I don’t know. I hope so. If not, he’ll figure it out soon,” Aleksander replied.
Mac gave his shoulder a friendly slap. “At least he didn’t try to kill you for completing your matebond.”
“He is pretty swollen. Maybe he’ll try once he can get up,” Dravyn mused.
“Maybe you’ll be flattened by Killian for sleeping with Mac last night,” Aleksander snarked.
“We shared a giant bed; it’s not like we had sex,” Dravyn argued. “There weren’t that many places to lay down, and I needed sleep.”
“It’s not like I even got that much rest without Roger and Idris.”
Brogan snickered. “You mentioned your mate’s familiar first. I guess we don’t have to ask which one of them you miss the most.”
Mac’s glare was ferocious, and he punched Brogan’s arm hard enough that the Grand Duke winced. As Brogan rubbed his offended limb, Aleksander laughed, and it helped wash away the tension locked in his body that had accumulated the moment they arrived at the hospital. After all his worry and fear, Rafe was whole, and for the first time since they met, there was nothing impeding their relationship. Aleksander was going to dedicate himself to focusing on Rafe and growing what already existed in their hearts.
∞∞∞
The moment Rafe was unfettered from his catheter, he asked for and was given his duffel from Dr. Suricata. Snagging a pair of underwear, he got a change of clothes out.
“You’re really swollen—you might prefer to stay in a gown,” Dr. Suricata warned.
“I’m going to at least put on some boxers.”
“Save the rest for tomorrow, huh?”
“Fine,” Rafe answered, shoving the track pants and T-shirt into the suitcase again.
“Let’s get you sitting up.”
With some help from Dr. Suricata and a nurse, Rafe got up and swung his legs over the side. The puffy set of limbs, completely missing scars, were stunning.
“They look great, don’t they? You’re going to need to rebuild your muscle mass and gain some weight now that you have no restrictions on your diet.”
“Right,” Rafe replied, continuing to stare in disbelief. They assisted him in getting on his underwear and to his feet. Swollen enough that his joints were screaming in protest, he managed to make it the short distance to the bathroom.
