Enemies in Love [High-Country Shifters 4] (5 page)

* * * *

“Should we wake him?” She’d spent less than ten minutes fixing him some tea that she’d laced with a sedative to make him doze. As she held the tray with the steaming cup and toast, she watched his chest rise and fall.

“Let him rest. He needs it.”

“He does need to eat.”

Jude’s jaw tensed as if he was debating what would be best for him. “How about you try to put some of your poultices on the worst of his wounds while he’s sleeping, and I’ll try to scrape together some more substantial food.”

She grinned. “As least I don’t have to fight with him when he’s passed out.”

Jude lifted the tray from her hands. “The toast looks good. How about if we each share a piece then you can do your magic on the monster.”

She chuckled at his sense of humor. “That sounds wonderful.” They had barely eaten since Taryn had come barging in the house this afternoon. “Besides, I need to give his skin time to dry out.”

“Hmm.”

Okay, that was lame, but she wanted to spend some time with Jude. He’d been amazingly patient with Kranor, and the two complemented each other so well.

She followed him back into the kitchen, where she took a seat in the booth that lined the wall. It was almost as if she was in a quaint restaurant. It didn’t take long before he brought over the most delicious-looking plate of cut-up fruit.

“I’m sorry I haven’t anything more. With tending to—”

“Don’t apologize. This looks wonderful.” Not wanting to get into a debate about what constituted a great meal, she dug in.

The succulent juices dripped down her chin, and she wiped away the liquid, but it left a sticky residue. Jude popped up, rushed to the sink, and ran a cloth under some water.

“Here.” He handed her the wet towel. “I don’t know where my manners are.”

She placed a clean hand over his. “Listen. Our first priority has to be Kranor, not being politically correct with each other. If I need anything, I’ll ask. Okay?”

That must have been the perfect thing to say because he leaned back in his seat and the tension in his brows disappeared. “Okay.”

For the next few minutes they ate in silence. When she was done, she got up and brought her dish to the sink. “I’m going to see what I can do with curing the beast.”

“Yell if you need help.”

“I will need some clean cloths. May I use the ones in the bathroom?”

“Sure. Help yourself to anything.”

She gathered what she needed and headed back into the bedroom. Kranor had a small sink in the corner of his bedroom with a mirror above. If the bar of soap and razor were any indication, he used this to wash up in the morning. This would serve her well to wet the cloths and douse them with her herbs. First, though, she needed to examine the depth and number of wounds.

Kranor was on his back snoring away. For that she was thankful. His breathing appeared labored, but she couldn’t guess the cause. If the wounds had caused an infection in his lungs, she might not be able to help him.

His chest was still damp, so she lightly patted it dry. His cock had thankfully gone limp, but even so, it was huge. Not needing the distraction, she placed a dry cloth on top to keep her mind focused on the task. Kranor might not mind running around naked, but she didn’t need him displaying his prowess.

She ran her hands down his legs to check the number and depth of the cuts. Most looked like they’d heal quite well. When he was feeling better, she’d suggest he shift into wolf form and clean the wounds himself. There was no better healing power than the body’s own saliva.

From when Kranor had been in the tub, she’d noticed it was his back that had the worst of the wounds. She slipped out of the bedroom and found Jude in the living room. He was sharpening a knife. When he looked up, he smiled. Only when his glance dropped to her breasts did she realize that he had full access to her. She wasn’t shy, but she’d been told the wolf women covered themselves. As soon as she treated Kranor, she had to remember to change her clothes since hers were bloody and wet—and see-through.

“Do you think you could help me turn him on his side? I want to examine his back.”

“Sure.”

This time when he walked next to her down the hall, he kept his gaze focused ahead. She had to swallow her smile. For some crazy reason, she wanted him to find her attractive. He might be a wolf, but he had this gentle strength that she liked.

The only way to expose Kranor’s back was to lean him up on his side. “Maybe you can find a few pillows to help prop him up.” When he didn’t move, she figured he didn’t see the reason for the request. “The wounds on his back need to get air to heal.”

“You hold him, and I’ll search for something.”

“Thank you.”

As she held up Kranor, she scoured his back for any infection. There were more muscles than flat areas. Only one cut worried her. The red rim around the wound looked bad. She waited until Jude returned, so she could make a poultice.

Jude returned. “Let’s try this.”

He’d brought a triangular pillow from the sofa. “How about draping a few cloths over it?”

He tapped his head and did as she suggested. When she let go, the contraption kept Kranor from rolling on his stomach.

“That seems to work. Shout if you need me.” He treaded lightly and disappeared from sight.

Now it was up to her to make sure the man who had haunted her dreams survived. Using every bit of knowledge she’d learned from her mother and brothers, she fixed him up the best she could. Time would tell how well he healed.

Before she’d even packed up her gear, Kranor began thrashing. He slapped away the bolster pillow and stretched out on his stomach. While his ass plumped up nicely, his chest wounds, minor though they might be, would not heal without the air.

Since his side had only superficial cuts, she pulled on his shoulder to get him back up on his side, but no matter how much she tugged, he was too much dead weight. Stupid man.

She got off the bed and looked around for something large that would keep him from moving. Nothing came to mind other than another body.

“Shit.” She went in search of Jude again. He looked up from a book. Seriously? The man read? Too often the shifters either watched television or ran around when they weren’t fighting. She searched for any sign of electronics but found none.

“What can I help you with?”

“Can I trouble you to help me move Kranor again?”

He instantly popped up. “He giving you trouble?”

“I wish. He’s out cold.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I’ll show you.” She appreciated how he was always willing to lend a hand. Once they got into Kranor’s room, he was still on his stomach and the pillow was on the floor.

“I see.”

“I thought I could lie down next to him on my side and prevent him from moving. What do you think?”

He grinned. “When he wakes up, be prepared for some action.”

Once more her mouth opened. “He is not in any shape to have sex, and even if he were, it won’t be with me.”

Jude said nothing as he rolled Kranor back on to his side, but from the way he kept looking at her, he wanted to make a comment.

She lay down next to Kranor in the oversized bed and positioned herself so that his shoulder rested against her back. She had to support her head with her arm since he was using the one pillow. How Jude left and returned without her notice she didn’t know, but a moment later his warm hands lifted her head and placed a fresh pillow underneath.

He lightly kissed her cheek. “Sleep tight. I’m next door. If you need help, you know what to do.”

She chuckled. “Thanks.”

This was going to be the longest night of her life.

* * * *

Henla swore she wasn’t able to sleep, but when something poked her in the back, her eyes opened. “Kranor? You need something?”

When he didn’t answer, she slowly rolled over. To her dismay, as soon as she got on her other side, the man fell forward and nearly crushed her. Only now did she realize the full extent of his fever. The man was on fire.

Hardly any light came through the window. Since there was no clock in the room, she had no idea what time it was, but one thing was sure, Kranor needed help. She thrust her leg out to give her some momentum. She moved an inch. Using all her strength, she pushed up on her elbows and managed to get out from under him and prayed she hadn’t harmed him.

Once free, she inched her way to the door and fumbled on the side for the light sensor she’d seen Jude pass his hand over. The room immediately was bathed in a dim light. She needed to see more. She swiped her hand again but nothing happened. Having different technologies between the two territories sucked, but she had to make do. After her eyes adjusted, she went back to the bed.

“Kranor? Can you hear me?” She nudged him.

He didn’t budge. The wound on his back looked worse despite the poultice. If they could rouse him, dipping him in a tub of ice water would do wonders to bring down his fever. She needed help.

He groaned.
Good
. “Kranor?” Worry ate up her insides. Jude was relying on her to save his friend. “Kranor!”

He cracked open an eye. That was a good sign. “What?”

“You have a fever. You need to get up.”

He groaned and turned his head away from her. Desperate, she had to use her ace. “I’ll have sex with you if you get up.”

She didn’t say it was right now, so technically she wasn’t lying.

How he managed to push up to a seated position, she had no idea. She swore she caught a glimpse of a smile. She checked out his wounds and was pleased many of them had started to heal. “I’m going to draw a bath for you. Wait here.”

She went to go when he reached out and grabbed her wrist. “Sex first.”

“He causing a problem?” Jude stood in the doorway, looking way too adorable in what looked like American pajamas.

Kranor let go of her wrist. “Trying to get my half of the bargain.” No one could miss the pain lacing his voice.

She looked back at him. “I said you needed to get in your wolf trough just as soon as I fill it. Then we’ll talk.”

What followed was unintelligible. She faced Jude. “He’s burning up. He needs a cold bath.”

“Not cold. Hate cold.”

Tough
. It was the only way she knew to bring down the fever. If this didn’t work, she’d have to insist they find a medical doctor. Her brand of medicine usually worked, but Jude had waited too long to call her in. Kranor’s wounds had already gotten infected. Besides, she had no idea if her herbs worked the same way on wolves as they did on lions.

Jude nodded. “You draw the bath, and I’ll get the ice.”

She waited for Kranor to shoot back a complaint. When he crumpled to the bed, she rushed over to Jude. “I don’t think we’ll be able to get him in the bath now.” She drew in her bottom lip and dragged her sweaty palms down her skirt. “Instead let’s pack some towels with ice and place them on his body.”

Not one to spend unnecessary time talking, he got to work. She ran a hand over Kranor’s chest. His body was covered in sweat, and her stomach ached for his pain. Her frustration mounted. They needed better care. Jude rushed in with two cold compresses.

“Here’s the first batch.” The torment in his voice nearly tore her in two. Clearly, he and Kranor cared deeply for one another.

When she placed the cloth on Kranor’s forehead, he didn’t even seem to notice. Next she placed one in the middle of his chest. It wasn’t a good sign that he didn’t react to the blast of cold. “I’ll need a few more.”

Jude disappeared and returned quickly. She placed one on either side of his groin, hoping he’d cool faster. She spotted a chair in the corner and pulled it next to the bed. Jude was glancing down at his friend. His shoulders slumped.

She looked up at Jude. “Why don’t you get some rest, and I’ll sit with him. If there’s a change, I’ll wake you.”

He walked over to her and squeezed her shoulder. “Henla, you’re a good woman.”

He must have understood that to have two of them exhausted wouldn’t do Kranor any good. She watched Kranor for another hour, but her chin kept dropping to her chest. A moan jerked her awake. Her lids flew open and she leaned forward.

Damn
. The ice had melted and had dribbled onto the bed. She gathered the sopping wet cloths and hurried into the kitchen to repeat the process. She must have made too much noise because Jude came out.

“How is he?”

“Not any better.”

“As soon as it’s light, I’m going to get the doctor.”

“You read my mind.” That was a relief, but he should have contacted him sooner. “Let me replace these, and then I want to talk with you.”

She hurried into Kranor’s room and placed the cold compresses once more on his body trying to bring down the fever. He thrashed about, but the cloths seemed to stay put at least for the moment.

She returned to the kitchen and sat at the table. “Tell me why you didn’t get help after the fight.” She tried not to sound accusatory, but from the way he winced, she’d failed.