Page 37 of Honeythorn
Milan managed not to lunge at the doctor and strangle him. “That’s absolutely absurd.”
Dr. Fitch gaped for a moment. “Pardon me?”
Milan sighed. This was a battle he wasn’t going to win. “The problem isn’t mydelicateconstitution, Doctor. These are the symptoms of a neglected bond.”
Dr. Fitch stared at Milan, seeming completely flabbergasted. “Now, young man,” and there went Milan’s title, “that is a diagnosis you are entirely unqualified to make.”
Milan spluttered indignantly before managing to calm himself enough to speak. “Dr. Fitch. I apologise for my earlier abruptness, but I assure you, I am more than qualified to know the state of my own bond. Lord Ledford and I have not touched in weeks, and we barely touched before that. Our bond was consummated only months ago—this is the only logical conclusion,” Milan explained as coolly as he could.
“If that were the case, then why would you let the bond become so weakened, being aware of these effects?”
“Me?I’m not the one doing this!”
“Now, listen here—”
“Oh, enough,” Milan growled. Dr. Fitch snapped his mouth shut, more in offence, it seemed, than anything else. “I do not require your belief, Doctor, or your treatment—there’s nothing you can do. But I will ask you this—imagine for a moment that what I’m saying is the truth. What couldIdo to prevent this…sickness?”
“Lord Milan, I don’t believe—”
“I’m not asking you to believe! Just…please.Imagine.A completely hypothetical situation. Imagine we live in a world where an Alpha would purposely neglect a bond. What could the Omega do?”
Dr. Fitch was silent for a long moment before sighing in capitulation, probably at Milan’s obvious stubbornness. “In thishypotheticalsituation…”
“Yes?”
“The Omega would be required to find a proper place in the household so the Alpha is pleased, as would be their duty, and—”
“Apart from that! Imagine there is nothing the Omega can do in that regard. Is there anything else?” Milan asked, pleading now.
Dr. Fitch huffed. “Well. If there was really nothing the Omega could do, their fate would be decided during the first heat after the consummation of the bond. If spent alone with such a weak bond, the bond would break…or, more likely, the Omega would die.”
And there it was. The truth of the matter.
Milan sank back into the pillows, staring at the ceiling. There was no way Lord Raphael would spend Milan’s heat with him. But as dire as it seemed, as weak as his body felt at that moment, Milan felt some hope.
If he could only survive his heat, he’d be free. Lord Raphael would not be able to control him through the bond. Milan would be able to come and go as he pleased, even back to his home for months at a time without shaming himself and his family. He would have married, after all, and for all anybody knew, Lord Raphael and he would still be bonded.
“Thank you, Doctor. That was very enlightening.”
“I have to stress that few Omegas survive their heats in such a state.”
“Yes, well. Good thing it was a hypothetical situation.” Milan smiled at him sardonically.
Dr. Fitch sniffed. “Indeed. Now, I have left Lord Ledford some herbs for you to smoke in a pipe, as well as a tincture and some tea, to be applied and taken daily respectively. And, of course, no more rides into town unless accompanied—a brisk walk around the estate should suffice to keep you in shape. If you are restless, I have heard that Omegas find knitting or embroidery to be very fulfilling pastimes.”
“How wonderful. I’ll knit my dear husband a scarf.”And hope it chokes him.
“A very good idea,” Dr. Fitch said, completely missing Milan’s sarcasm.
“Thank you for your treatments, Doctor. I think I will rest now. Please tell Lord Raphael I’m not fit for company.”
“Good idea. I will make sure Lord Ledford knows which doses to give you.”
Milan didn’t reply, closing his eyes and turning away.
**********
Milan had feared that the exhaustion that had taken over him that day would become the norm. Thankfully, however, after a day’s rest, he had recuperated as much as he could. Still abnormally tired, but at least being able to function somewhat with only one nap a day.
