Tariq landed in his chambers, issuing commands. “Security, disengage.”
Enrique, bring the doctor to my quarters. Tell him to bring his transfusion equipment. Lord Alvaro will be returning shortly with his blood mate. Please ensure someone is waiting to see to their needs. Also, I have the Felini male, Jorlan, with me. He needs clothes and food, and have one of the guest chambers prepared for him,” he telepathed to his second.
Your Heart’s Blood, is she…?
She’s fine, Tariq responded, willing it to be so. She’s unconscious and needs blood.
There was a short silence. Then Enrique said, Doctor Silas is on the way. I’ll personally see to the other items on your list. Keep us informed, please. We’re all concerned.
Thank you, I will, Tariq said. Heading straight for the bed to lay his precious burden down, he told Jorlan, “The doctor’s on his way.”
“She’ll need something to wear before he arrives. Reyna’s uncomfortable with nudity,” Jorlan warned.
Since the Felini male prowled at his side with no concern for his own lack of clothing, Tariq figured that made his Heart’s Blood even more of an anomaly among her people. He changed his trajectory and carried Reyna into the bathroom.
“Look inside the closet and grab one of my dress shirts. It will have to do until we can get her clothing that fits,” he said.
Mi corazon, I need you to open your eyes and look at me. Come back to me, my love.
Reyna didn’t stir.
Sighing, Tariq decided the least he could do was make her comfortable while he waited for her to regain consciousness. Jorlan returned with the requested item while Tariq was still figuring out the logistics of bathing an unconscious woman. The Jacuzzi tub, the size of a small pool, was too large for his purpose, though Tariq supposed he could rest her against the side while he splashed water on her.
“We need to wash the blood off so we can see the extent of her injuries, but I don’t want to put her in the tub,” he told the Felini.
Jorlan set the shirt down on the vanity, opened the glass door to the shower, and stepped inside. “Hand her to me. I’ll rinse her off and hand her back to you to towel dry.”
Tariq didn’t want to release his Heart’s Blood, even knowing what the male proposed made the most sense. Reluctantly he said, “Get the water going to the desired temperature first and then I’ll give her to you.”
Jorlan played with the pressure, adjusted the heat level, and when he was satisfied, held out his arms. Tariq passed her over. “She shouldn’t be too scratched up,” the male murmured, watching the blood stream off. “I restrained my cat as much as possible. Most of the bleeding seems to be coming from this cut at the hairline near her temple.”
As he watched the male care for his Heart’s Blood with all the tenderness of a father with his cub, Tariq realized there was much that happened tonight he needed to understand. This male was closer to Reyna’s heart than any other. If anyone knew all the dynamics of what had occurred, this one would. “What happened? Why’d she go ballistic and attack Alvaro? I knew she felt no love for her father but didn’t realize she actively hated him.”
Though Jorlan didn’t look up from his self-appointed task, he sighed heavily. “As the humans would say, this entire situation is one big clusterfuck. The whole pride, including Reyna, believes her conception was the result of an assault on Isabella. Only Isabella, Isabella’s father Ragnor, and I know the truth.”
So much made sense to him now, but the more Tariq learned, the more he questioned. “Why would they believe this falsehood? No vampyr male would treat a woman in such a manner.”
Jorlan knelt on the tiled floor of the shower, Reyna’s body held protectively between his spread thighs. Reyna looked fragile compared to the male, though he was only a few inches taller than her and not much larger. He adjusted his hold so the water ran through her hair. “They believed it because that’s what Ragnor told them happened. The Felini elders rule our pride, and Ragnor rules the elders. His word is law.
“Turn off the water. I think I rinsed all the blood off or at least enough for the doctor to do his examination. You’ll need me to be present to answer any questions about her unique heritage.”
Jorlan’s comment reminded Tariq his Heart’s Blood was only half-Vampalien. He hadn’t considered that her physiology might be different from any other vampyr. He was more grateful than ever the male had insisted on accompanying them instead of remaining behind to see what happened with his pride.
“Give her to me,” Tariq said, holding the towel out, ready to wrap her in it. “The doctor’s in the other room waiting for us.” He’d heard the man enter a few minutes ago.
With Jorlan’s assistance, Reyna was dried, dressed, and installed in his bed in short order. Dr. Silas had the transfusion equipment ready and waiting. Tariq settled next to Reyna and held out his arm. As the blood was being transfused, he once again called to Reyna on their mental link, trying to wake her. Her color improved and her breathing steadied, but she remained unresponsive. Tariq waited impatiently for the doctor to finish his assessment and render his verdict.
Jorlan stood, his face impassive, but his gaze never left Reyna’s face. “She’s never looked at me that way before,” he murmured, almost to himself. “Whenever she was hurting, whenever she had a need, I’m the one she turned to for comfort. Reyna looked at me as though she didn’t know me.”
Tariq could feel the pain buried in the male’s words. Still, he didn’t like the idea of anyone being closer to Reyna than him. “She has me now.”
The other male didn’t acknowledge him. Tariq realized Jorlan may not have even heard him. His focus on Reyna was that complete.
Dr. Silas straightened and gave one last glance at the readout on the handheld scanner. “She’s exhausted. The blood should help but the best thing for her now is rest. The few injuries she sustained are minor in nature and are already mending. If she wakes, push food and fluids but otherwise let her sleep.”
“What about visitors?” Tariq asked, knowing Alvaro would be rushing to his daughter’s side as soon as he was able.
The doctor frowned as he considered. “As long as you keep them to a bare minimum, it should be all right. However, I prefer you wait twenty-four hours before allowing anyone in to see her. This young lady pushed her reserves to the limit.” Dr. Silas began gathering his equipment. “You know how to reach me if I’m needed.”
“Thank you, doctor.”
When the doctor was gone, Tariq turned to Jorlan. “I’ve asked my second to provide you with a change of clothes. He’s prepared a chamber for the night for you and will have a meal delivered as soon as you’re ready. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone with my blood mate.”
The Felini looked as though he would protest. However, he gave Reyna one last lingering glance and tenderly stroked a strand of hair out of her face. “Call me as soon as she’s awake and receiving guests, please.”
“I will. My second is waiting for you in the living room.”
Still the male lingered. “I delivered her, you know. Ragnor forbade any of the queens to assist in her birthing. I think he hoped both Isabella and the child would die during the process. I was scared out of my mind, little more than a child myself, and there I was delivering a baby. But Isabella and I had always been close. There’s no way I’d let her suffer and die alone if there was something I could do to save her.” He smiled and ran a finger down the bridge of Reyna’s nose to its tip. “Even as a babe she was stubborn. She had a will to live that maintained her through the toughest of circumstances. She stole my heart the first time I laid eyes on her puny, wriggling little body.”
Jorlan suddenly lifted his gaze and nailed Tariq with a serious look. “Don’t hurt her. She’s been through more than anyone should have to and managed to survive. This last blow may have been the final straw. I know you can communicate telepathically with Reyna. If you can reach her, tell her how much I love her. She may not allow me the opportunity to do so.”
Shoulders slumped as though the weight of the world rested on them, the male turned and left the bedroom, closing the door softly behind him.