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Beams of orange light peeked through the small gap between the curtains, shining on the floor in front of the bed. The room was nearly silent, save for the soft breathing of the bed's occupant. The bed was far too large for D'rena's size, but for a time, she'd be alone. And she wanted Nero at her side. Her whole body shook as a coughing fit took her, taking in as much air as she could once it ceased.
She stared at the wooden ceiling, her eyes unfocused. The grains and rings faded to obscure shapes- shapes she wasn't even sure she was seeing. It was all she could do to stay awake, and yet it all felt as a dream. Or was she truly dreaming? Her eyes felt heavy and fluttered shut against her will. Whatever she dreamed, it was all a blur that burst into a spray of undiscovered colors as the door to her home closed shut. Her eyes fully opened for a moment before their weight proved too much. Or was it the weight of the rag on her forehead sliding the rest of her face downwards?
She heard footsteps approach the door, the door opening, and the footsteps reaching her bed. She mustered enough strength to open her eyes to see Nero standing next to her, fidgeting with a small pouch. She opened her mouth to speak, but only managed a ragged breath.
"Awake, are you?" Nero set the pouch down next to a bowl of water and then took the rag from her head. He took his glove off and put the back of his hand to her forehead. "How do you feel?" His hand was cold as ice.
"Cold," she groaned out.
"'Cold,' she says." He looked into her eyes, looking her over intensely. "You feel absolutely scalding," he took his hand back and soaked the rag in the water before wringing it out, "I should've known half a bell was one half too many."
"Don't blame yourself," she meant to say, but the words would not come. Her hand slowly slid through the blanket towards his. And then the damp rag came down over her forehead- she'd daresay that the water sizzled off her head as rain on a hot engine. Before her hand could reach his, Nero stepped away. She whined as his back was toward her.
"Oh, about that pouch," he peeked through the gap in the curtains, "some sort of herbal blend the maid said." he waited a moment and D'rena coughed a reply. "It should help with the fever- and the cough." He retrieved the pouch, putting him nearly in her range, only for him to walk away again as her hand finally breached the cover. "I'll heat some water straightaway. I won't be long." She reached for him as he left through the open door. Her effort exhausted her, and she closed her eyes.
When next she woke, a small cup was placed at her bedside. "Let me help you up." An arm slipped underneath her torso and seemed to do all the work in sitting her up. He sat on the edge of the bed as he passed over the cup, folding his hand over hers to keep it steady. She closed her eyes, took whatever breath she could before releasing it, and downed the medicine in a smooth, large gulp. And it burned on its way down, clearing her sinuses instantly.
She gagged at the taste- bitter. Very bitter with a hint of a combination of sage and a strong aftertaste of mint. She began to cough again, but only for a moment, snot ran from her nose as though the floodgates were opened. "Good girl," Nero said as he took the cup from her. His arm never left her back until her head was against the pillow again.
At that moment, she was finally able to hold his hand. They sat in silence for a while before Nero spoke. "Apologies, but I must leave you. I'll prepare something light on the chance your appetite returned." D'rena whined again as he stood up and left. She wished he'd stay just a little longer. So she wouldn't be alone, even though she knew he'd come back. She sniffed as she settled back into place, closing her eyes again.