Page 15 of The VaDorok's Unexpected Mate
“Kull, I have not found any signs of a durwa,” Ren called, his footsteps heading in their direction. “But that smell seems to be getting stronger in this direction.”
Was that a note of glee in his voice? Somehow, she had a suspicion that he knew exactly what was going on.
“I have taken care of it,” Kull replied. “Go out and collect more wood. I want that bin completely full.”
“Fill it up? We are heading for Thaw, not the season of Great Snows?” Ren protested.
“You are obviously far too absent minded to remember to keep it from getting too low,” Kull barked. “So now you will be keeping it completely full at all times.”
The younger male grumbled unhappily, but his footsteps thankfully retreated as he complied. Good. The entire situation was bad enough without him adding to it.
“He is gone,” Kull murmured. “Come out so that I may help you. Something has obviously made you sick.”
She opened the door, and he peered at her worriedly. He didn’t say anything. Instead, he gently took her arm and steered her out and toward the bedroom.
“Come rest and explain to me what happened while I build the fire back up in the sleeping chamber rather than waiting for nightfall.”
Katie nodded in agreement and allowed him to help her into bed. He drew several pelts over her and made sure that she was comfortable before heading to the small hearth that kept the bedroom warm during the night while the main hearth was banked. Tucked beneath the furs, she smiled a bit despite herself. Despite his gruff demeanor, he was considerate as much as he was protective.
Once the fire was glowing brightly and the room gradually warming, Kull returned to her bedside and crouched beside her, a concerned look on his alien face. He brushed her hair from her face that had escaped from the drying cloth and rested his fingers against her cheek.
“Your temperature seems normal,” he murmured, “if a bit chilled from the air. No sign of fever, however, which is good. I do not think you poisoned yourself, but you must tell me what you ate.”
Katie frowned. “Just the meal you made this morning... oh and the fruit mash you left.”
“Fruit mash?” he echoed. “I did not make any fruit mash. Did you find it somewhere in the cold room?”
She shook her head. “Ren gave it to me. I didn’t have a chance to wash the pot though,” she added guiltily. “It’s still sitting on the table where I was eating it.”
Kull frowned and rose from the side of the bed. “One moment, Katie. I will return.”
He left the room and silence stretched on for a long while. Her brows knitted when he did not immediately return, though she heard him moving around the main room a bit, and a low growl before silence descended completely. She was about to go out and investigate when she heard a heavy thump and a loud squawk from Ren, who had obviously returned.
“Ow, what was that for?” Ren whined. “You know my horn roots are sensitive. Did you have to thump me there? I think you already made your point about the fire.”
“Feel fortunate that a light thump is all you got,” Kull said impatiently. “This is not about the fire—did you feed her lingan berries?”
“It was just a joke,” the younger male replied petulantly. “Just to embarrass her a little.”
“And how did you know what dosage would be tolerable for a human of her size?” Kull growled. “You are lucky that it is not something that would grievously harm her, but it has clearly depleted her body and made her feel unwell. I am going to make a tonic for her to drink. You will be apologizing.”
Ren grumbled in agreement. Moments later, he pushed back the fur hanging over the bedroom entrance and sullenly muttered his apology before disappearing again. Katie rolled her eyes, but she didn’t expect more than that. She felt like she was personally living in all those horror stories she’d read where stepchildren did their best to torment and drive away any woman from their father... and she wasn’t even a stepmother or enjoying any real perks of the situation. She understood Kull’s reasoning for asking for her help, but she hadn’t imagined that it would be so hard in a culture that was conditioned to respect and take care of its female members.
Her attention shifted back to the fur curtain when it shifted again, and Kull entered with a bowl. He took in her expression and sighed before making his way to her bedside. He stirred what appeared to be some kind of broth with a deeper, ladle-like spoon and grimaced as he scooped a small amount up and brought it to her mouth.
“Ren was wrong to play this joke on you. It is a common one among young males that they often play on each other, especially if a friend is showing interest in a female. It is meantto embarrass only, but tampering with your food will not be a mistake that he will soon repeat now that he understands the potential consequences of mis-dosage.”
No, he would just find other ways to torment her. Katie sighed inwardly. There was no real help for it until she chipped through his resistance. Or she ended up losing her mind on him. Whichever happened first. She had younger brothers, though, and sometimes it just came down to being tougher and playing the game better than them to finally establish some respect. But what a headache.
“I can do it,” she mumbled, reaching for the bowl, but Kull drew back and shook his head.
“Allow me to care for you,” he rumbled. “You are not feeling well. It is the least that I can do.”
She eyed him for a long moment, uncertain if she wanted to show that level of vulnerability in front of him. But then again, she was already laid up in bed feeling completely drained. Even her hand was trembling slightly. Sighing, she nodded and settled back into bed.
“Just this once,” she conceded.
She sipped cautiously from the spoon only to be surprised when something slightly herbal and very fruity rushed over her tongue. As far as medicine went, it wasn’t terrible.
