Chapter Five
I jolted upright,instantly awake, at the sound of Adam’s groan.
“Adam?” I said softly. “It’s June.”
“Thirsty,” he rasped.
“Okay. Hang on. I’ll get you something.”
I ran downstairs. The fey who’d stayed behind to watch over Adam and me didn’t say anything when I whacked a towel full of ice cubes against the counter and emptied the shards into a cup. However, he did follow me back upstairs.
“Adam?” I said again as I approached the bed. “Are you still thirsty?
“Mmmhmm.”
“I have some ice chips. We don’t want you lifting your head yet. Okay? Just open your mouth, and I’ll give you a few.”
His lips parted, and I wanted to cry when I saw he was not only understanding my words but also responding to them. I fed him chips until his lips stayed closed and his breathing became deeper.
I wiped my eyes and glanced out the window at the predawn light. It was hard to know how long he’d been out when I wasn’t even sure how long we’d slept before the men had snuck in. But he had to have been unconscious longer than when he’d hit his head the first time, and that worried me. As did the bruising that colored his face.
“Would you mind getting more snow?” I asked the fey without looking away from Adam.
“I will fill two bowls from the roof.”
“Thank you.”
The fresh snow bags didn’t get another response from Adam, and I tried not to be disappointed. Instead, I sat beside him and watched the sun slowly rise.
A knock on the front door startled me from my exhausted stupor.
I hurried downstairs just as the fey opened it. The new fey’s familiar gaze flicked to me, and he lifted a box.
“I found a bag with flames for Adam.”
“That is so sweet of you, Tor,” I said, tears welling. “Thank you for thinking of him.”
Both men stared at me for a long moment then shared a glance.
“Should I take them back?” Tor asked.
“No. When Adam wakes up, he’s going to appreciate them. Come in.”
He brought the box to the kitchen and set it on the counter.
“Cassie sent some other things. She said the chips might not be what he wants first.” He held up several brown packets of instant oatmeal. “Adam and I liked the same things. These taste bad.”
I laughed a little. “Oatmeal isn’t his favorite. But he’ll eat it just fine.”
“Are you going out again today?” I asked Tor.
“No. I wanted to help Adam.”
“Come on. I wouldn’t mind some sleep if you’re willing to watch him for me.”
Tor looked at the other fey. “Did anyone come back?”
“No. It was quiet. Should I stay?”