A Vow Of Hate

“I’ve filled the tub. She needs to be warmed up, immediately,” Emily said.

I nodded. “Everyone out, please.”

I didn’t pay them any more attention and stalked into the bathroom. Sitting on the edge of the tub, I settled Julianna on my lap and quickly rid her of her wet dress. The fact that she didn’t stir at all worried me.

Her body was too cold and her breathing too shallow. For how long had she been passed out in the rain? Two hours?

I sure fucking hope not. One hour was too long, let alone… two goddamn hours.

Once she was naked, I gently placed her into the warm water. After making sure she wouldn’t slide under, I quickly got rid of my own clothing and got into the tub behind her. The water was almost too hot, but it was perfect for Julianna’s freezing body.

Warming her up was important. To get her blood circulating through her body again, warm and alive.

Julianna remained unconscious as I settled her back against my chest, her body small and fragile in my arms. I made quick work of shampooing and washing her hair, careful to check for any injuries. There were no open wounds or bumps.

Thank the fucking Lord.

I sat in the tub with her until the water started to get cold. The water sluiced to the side when I stood up, with Julianna in my arms. I made quick work of wrapping a towel around her before carrying her to the bed.

My gaze briefly darted to the fireplace and it appeared that someone had been smart enough to start the fire. The room was hotter than usual, but Julianna was still too cold for my liking.

I climbed in bed beside her, tucking the comforter around us. Without really thinking about it, because I was acting on pure instinct, I curled my body around hers.

And soon enough, with the help of the fire, two heavy comforters and my own body heat, Julianna’s skin started growing warmer. Her lips were no longer blue, but a pale color.

Once she was warm, the shivering started. Her body practically rattled with the tremors, from head to toe. Her teeth clattered violently and Julianna whimpered.

My chest squeezed when her eyelids fluttered open and she stared at me, eyes dazed and confused. “Killian…” Julianna muttered weakly.

My arm curled around her hips. “I’m here, Princess.”

“C-c-cold,” she stuttered.

“I know.” I brushed my thumb over her jaw. “I’m going to warm you up. Nothing is going to happen to you. I won’t allow it.”

My wife snuggled further into my arms, pressing her face into my throat. The familiarity of this position hit me like a tidal wave, the old memories slicing through me so brutally. But I shoved them away.

Her eyes closed again and she let out another soft whimper. Another shiver racked through her body. Julianna slid a hand over my chest, her fingers digging into my flesh. Almost like she was desperately seeking my warmth.

“I have you,” I reassured her, even though I didn’t think she heard me.

Hours later, I woke up to Julianna’s restless movement, heart-wrenching whimpers and soft cries. I had stayed awake for hours, watching her breathe; her shivering turning into gentle tremors until her body had been warmed enough that her shaking had subsided.

I hadn’t even realized that I somehow dozed off.

Pushing myself up on my elbow, I studied Julianna to find her soaked in sweat, her forehead furrowed in distress and her jaw tightening in pain.

I touched her cheek to find her hot. That would have been a good sign, if she wasn’t burning with a fever.

Fucking hell!

I got off the bed and quickly pulled on the sweatpants that Samuel had left behind for me earlier and called for Rani.

She came into the room again and gave Julianna another thorough check.

“Your wife is breaking into a fever. I would say it’s normal, but you’ll have to keep a close eye on her,” Rani said grimly. “Especially with her history of epilepsy, Julianna will be prone to seizures in this condition.”

The older woman gave me an assessing look. “I can stay with her,” she volunteered.

“No,” I snapped, before I could stop myself.

Clearing my throat, I gestured for her to leave. “Thank you, but I’ll take care of my wife myself. I will call for you if you’re needed.”

Rani left after giving Julianna another quick check. Once the door closed behind her, I climbed into the bed again. She immediately rolled over to me, her body curling into mine. Julianna threw a leg between mine and her arm slid over my chest as she burrowed her fevered self against my body.

Helplessness gripped me as Julianna suffered through a brutal fever.

It lasted through the night, into the morning and through the next… four days.

I stayed by her side, never leaving her for more than fifteen minutes and that was only to use the restroom and for a quick shower each day.