Page 9 of Golden Darkness

“She... ah. Well, I have her hooked up to fluids and nutrients. She needs a lot of rest as well.”

“I will see she gets it.”

“She is also losing a lot of body heat. She needs clothing.”

“The extruder is making something.”

“She had a blaster to your jaw, Overlord.”

He chuckled. “Yes, she did. You should have seen the Vel-ech near the cell. She blew his head into a circle. Why did you cover her?”

“Overlord, she was cold. Remember?”

“Of course. How have you been?”

“It has been stressful, but seeing you tortured was difficult. When you went dormant, we were worried.”

“Yahn-eth-etha’s pain woke me.”

“She was the fourth one they tortured to that extent. The files indicate that pain and pleasure were blurring for her. That can be dangerous for one so frail.”

“What happened to the others?”

“Dumped back into their canister for storage. The Terrans in there are helping keep the others alive.” The doctor paused. “Your consort may feel more relaxed if you put some clothing on.”

He chuckled. “It is being made.”

Janessa drifted in and out of consciousness, but when she woke up again, she was screaming and flailing in panic.

“Easy, pet.” He loomed next to her and kissed her forehead. His hand held her down and pressed on her belly.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed. It was a reflex born of dozens of naps in his arms, waking to her own screams.

She held on tight until the panic receded. She let him go and sniffled as she wiped her cheeks. “Sorry, Hmr—Kethen.”

He stroked her hair away from her face. “Precious. How are you feeling?”

“Weak but better, if you know what I mean.”

“No, but you can explain it to me. I have brought you some clothing.”

She was lifted and was surprised that she wasn’t hooked up to the tubes anymore. “When did I get unhooked?” Her breathing mask was also gone, but her lungs weren’t in distress anymore.

“Six hours ago.”

“Why did you let me sleep so long?”

He sat her up and supported her. “Because you were tired. Even with me next to you, you barely slept.”

The doctor was sitting at her station and going through the scans.

Janessa was wrapped in a swath of fabric, and it was slipped over her head. He eased her off the med bed and stood her up while using tiny clasps at her ribs down to her hips. The sleeves were slit and hung from wrists and shoulders. She was dressed in a gauzy, silky fabric that could have doubled for something in an off-brand Greek or Roman movie.

She looked up at him. “Are there shoes?”

He laughed. “No. Not until you can walk on your own without my assistance.”

She nodded and blinked. “You got dressed, too.”

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