She arched a censoring brow as Dynatos returned to her side. "Rather presumptuous of you, isn't it?"
It felt so good to smile again. To be around someone who didn't hate him. "Indeed, but I was hoping some stray maid would happen by and ravish me."
She sat down next to him and gave ... the wall an arch look. "Some stray maid?"
"Mmm." He took her hand and kissed her palm. "Would you happen to know one who's available?"
Her playfulness gone, she scowled at him and quickly lifted her hand from his lips to his brow. Then she gasped. "You're burning with fever."
"No wonder I feel so awful."
She cupped his cheeks in her hands. "Hector ... it's very high. Why aren't you in bed?"
"I am in bed."
"No ... your bed. You shouldn't have come here while you were still so ill."
"I wanted to see you."
Even so, she was livid.
Styxx ground his teeth as her reaction slapped him like a blow. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't please anyone. "I thought you'd be happy to see me."
"Yes, were you healthy. But damn, Hector. Damn!"
A part of him shriveled with every expletive. He shouldn't have come here and bothered her when it was obvious she'd rather do something else. If he knew anything in life, it was that people didn't like to tend others when they were sick.
He'd been wrong to burden her. "Sorry. I'll leave." He rolled to get up.
She shoved him back onto the bed. "Don't you dare move." She growled at him. "How could you do this?"
"Do what?"
"Risk my life!"
Maybe it was the fever, but he was completely confused now. "I'm not risking your life, Beth. I'm not contagious."
"Yes, you are killing me. Do you not understand that every breath you draw is tied to mine? Now take your clothes off."
He bit back a smile. "That's my girl."
"No. Not for that. I need to get your skin cooled down."
"Fine ... but would you please stop yelling at me. I've rather had my fill of it for a while." He pulled his chiton off, and started shivering immediately.
Bethany covered him with the blanket then coaxed the dog to lie down by his side and keep him warm. "Who's been yelling at you?"
"Everyone. It's to the point I'm beginning to think my name has been changed to 'Damn It' or 'Asshole.'"
Tears glistened in her eyes. "I'm not yelling at you, Hector. I'm scared for you. There's a big difference."
"All right. But from inside my head, it's hard to hear that difference."
Bethany kissed his brow then went to fetch water and a cloth so that she could bathe him to lower his body temperature.
His head throbbing, Styxx shivered even more while he idly stroked the dog's head.
Returning, she placed her bowl on the small table by the bed and wet her cloth. As she sponged his cheek, she fingered the whiskers there and along his jaw and chin. "You haven't shaved in a while."