Total pages in book: 192
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 192810 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 964(@200wpm)___ 771(@250wpm)___ 643(@300wpm)
“You’re all right with my reporting with him present?” Dr. Fearsome asked me in order to confirm.
Stupidly, since Aleksei actually didn’t know everything, I repeated, “He knows everything.”
The unit on the nightstand beeped, taking the doctor’s attention, and while he scrutinized the readout of results, Aleksei tightened his arm around me.
I rested my weight into his side, and it felt inordinately good to do that.
The doctor’s attention returned to us.
“As you suspected,” he said to me, even if it was Aleksei’s supposition, “long-term benzo dosing. However, the dose was elevated from what’s used in sanatoriums and penitentiaries. Either they didn’t know what they were doing, or you consumed more water-based beverages than they expected, or they were very intent to make sure your beast did not awaken.”
I clenched my teeth.
A low rumble sounded from Aleksei’s chest.
“It’s caused you no harm,” Dr. Fearsome assured. “But it does mean recovery of your creature will take longer.”
“So, she’s okay?” I asked.
He smiled kindly at me. “She is very okay, Mistress Laura. She will be well rested when she wakes, and very likely feeling rambunctious.”
Feeling rambunctious.
It took everything not to weep again.
“Is there any way recovery can be expedited?” Aleksei queried.
The doctor nodded and my heart leaped. “IV fluids every other day”—he glanced at me with a good-natured grin—“and your B vitamins are low, so it’d be good to add those to the first IV drip.” When I nodded, he finished, “This will help flush the system. I still estimate it’ll take seven days, maybe a day more, perhaps if we’re lucky, a day less.”
“What can she expect?” Aleksei pressed for more details. “Will her creature simply just suddenly awaken? Or will there be a process?”
“I would expect, if Mistress Laura does the IV therapy, in two to three days, her beast will give indications it’s emerging from its unconscious state. It’s been described as flutters or quivers. Some warmth. Eventually stronger movement. But it’s rare for there to be any communication. It’s like taking a very long time to emerge from a deep sleep. The beast will be fidgety, she’ll eventually become restless, but the creature will still be unconscious.”
Flutters. Quivers. Warmth. Movement.
I wanted it all, ASAP.
“Do you have the IV stuff now?” I asked impatiently.
“I can have it delivered and administer it before I leave,” he offered.
“Please do that,” Aleksei said.
The doctor pulled out his tablet where the results of the scan had been transferred, and while looking at it, he said, “All other systems are a go. Very healthy. The remodeling of your ribs is strong. However, your wrist was not well set, which is causing a ten percent loss in strength in that hand.”
Ah…
Heck.
I’d gone solid.
Aleksei’s vibe had gone hot.
The doctor looked at me. “You can visit my clinic, and we’ll see to that. We’ll rebreak it and remodeling will take two days. Physical therapy for a week, and you’ll have full function in that hand again. Through all this, there will be no pain.”
“Um,” I hummed.
“These breaks happened during the assault?” Aleksei asked tersely, as he would since I’d been significantly beaten, but they’d concentrated on my face, hadn’t broken any bones, and Aleksei had heard me explain all of that earlier.
The doctor appeared confused. “No. These breaks are—” His attention darted to me.
“They’re what?” Aleksei pushed.
“Aleksei,” I whispered.
He ignored me and demanded of the doctor, “They’re what?”
“Mistress Laura?” the doctor asked.
I bit my lip, but there was nothing for it. I’d have to tell Aleksei one day.
I guessed today was that day, and it wouldn’t be me telling him, but Dr. Fearsome.
I nodded to the doc.
Gods, I was such a coward.
Dr. Fearsome studied my face, then he turned to Aleksei. “They’re from her childhood.”
“Are you done?” Aleksei suddenly barked, and I jumped against his side.
His response was to tighten his hold on me.
“I’ll arrange the IV,” the doctor murmured.
Definitely getting the gist of what was going down, he left his stuff and us alone in the room.
When he was gone, I turned to my mate. “Aleksei.”
He didn’t look at me when he stated, “We’re not talking about it now.”
That was fine by me.
“Which one?” he asked the wall beyond us.
“Sorry?” I asked back.
He turned to me, and it was unfortunate I was attached to him when I saw his amethyst was back.
In full glow.
“Which one of your two fucking parents broke your bones?”
Okay, so we were talking about it now.
“Mom, my wrist. Dad, my ribs,” I whispered.
“Right,” he grunted.
“Let me just explain—” I started.
“No. Oh, hell no, bissi. For now, that’s all we’re going to say. We narrowly escaped an epic shitstorm tonight. We don’t need to court another one.”
I thought about my mother and father standing as statues made of ash before they filtered to piles of nothing, and mumbled, “Probably wise.”
His head ticked to the side, and he announced, “Allain is here.”