Kira’s heart gave a sharp little lurch as her fingers brushed Derek’s burning skin. "Oh, goddess," she breathed, pressing her palm gently to his forehead. "Derek, you’re running a temperature."
She quickly sent for a maid to bring a bowl of water and a towel. She sat on a low stool in front of the couch and started to wipe down his skin, sending for Dr Lorenzo.
She placed a wet towel on Derek’s forehead, wondering if this was the reason he had left the Wolf Council building so early, and she felt bad for thinking he was avoiding her.
A few moments later, Derek’s eyes fluttered open, amber and hazy with sleep. For a long moment he simply stared at her, as if he was being delirious with fever. He blinked twice, waiting for the vision to dissolve the way all the others had.
But she was still there, leaning over him with genuine worry written all across her pretty face. A slow, disbelieving smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Slowly, he started to raise his hand from the couch, reaching for her.
Kira leaned in closer. "Are you alright? What are you reaching for?"
"I want to touch your face," he whispered.
Something warm and complicated twisted inside Kira’s chest. She did not pull away. Instead, she let his large palm cup her cheek, feeling the rough pad of his thumb stroke slowly across her skin. The simple touch sent a flutter through her that she didn’t bother to ignore this time. She allowed herself to feel it, leaning more into his touch.
Lux purred lovingly inside her, enjoying every moment of it.
Derek let out a shaky breath. "You’re real," he murmured, almost to himself. The relief in his voice made her throat tighten.
"Of course I’m real, you stubborn, stubborn man." She took his hand in both of hers, pressing her cheek more firmly against his palm. "Why on earth are you lying here bare-chested when you know full well you’re running a temperature?" she scolded gently, though her tone carried more worry than bite. "You’ll catch your death."
A faint, tired chuckle escaped him. He lifted his other hand and pointed weakly toward the corner of the room. "I slept off while building the pup’s cradle. Didn’t know if you would like it."
Kira turned her head and looked at the beautiful white crib. It was sturdy, carefully sanded, with delicate carvings along the rails that looked like little wolves chasing their tails. Her eyes softened instantly, and a genuine smile bloomed across her face.
"It’s very beautiful," she said, warmth flooding her voice. "I like it. I like it very much."
Derek chuckled, a weak, rasping sound. "Then I’m glad."
Kira’s smile faded as fresh concern crept back in. She kept hold of his hand, refusing to let go. "Derek. Does this have anything to do with that cough of yours?" Her thumb moved over his knuckles. "Dr Lorenzo told me it was a simple cold. He said he’d prescribed you some drugs for it."
Derek nodded against the cushion, his eyes already drifting half-closed. "It’s nothing," he said quietly, the lie slipping out far too easily.
Inside, the ache in his chest tightened. He hated hiding it from her, but the last thing he wanted was her staying out of pity.
Kira kept his burning hand held against her cheek and did not believe him for a second. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The quiet room felt far too small for all the unsaid things hanging between them.
"You need to lie on your bed," Kira said after a while. "You’ll be far more comfortable there than on this couch."
Derek nodded weakly, his amber eyes still hazy. "Help me up then." he said, sounding almost boyish in his vulnerability.
Kira slipped an arm around him, helped him up and guided him across the room. Once he was settled on the large bed, she pulled the duvet over him with gentle hands, tucking it around his broad shoulders. Her heart twisted at how tired he looked.
"I didn’t see you come down for dinner," she said softly. "Have you eaten anything at all?"
Derek shook his head against the pillow. "I’m not hungry."
Kira gave him a stern look that was only half-serious. "Well, too bad. I already asked Mara to prepare some porridge for you, and Dr Lorenzo is on his way."
Derek sighed. "You shouldn’t have bothered."
But Kira only smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. When the porridge arrived, she took the bowl and began feeding him herself, spoon by spoon. Derek accepted each bite without complaint, his eyes never leaving her face. The quiet domestic moment felt so intimate, and Kira had to remind herself to breathe normally.
When the bowl was empty, she stood up and carried the plate to leave.
In a flash, Derek’s hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. "Don’t go," he pleaded, his voice low and rough. "Stay with me. Please."
Kira froze. The raw need in his eyes broke something deep inside her. This was still the man she had fallen for — the cold king who had slowly shown her his heart.
She swallowed hard, fighting the walls she had built so carefully. After a long moment, she dropped the porridge bowl on the nightstand, turned and wordlessly climbed into the bed beside him, slipping under the duvet.
Derek lay with his head pillowed on his arm, facing her. They lay facing each other, close enough to feel the heat from one another’s bodies but not quite touching.
The silence stretched between them, heavy with everything unsaid. Derek studied her face as if memorising every detail.
"What can I do to make you like me again?" he asked quietly after some time.
Kira blinked, surprised. "I never stopped liking you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Derek’s expression softened, but pain lingered in his eyes. "Then why have you refused to accept our bond?"
Kira looked away for a second, gathering her courage. "I’m scared," she confessed. "That day... your words broke something in me. I’ve been trying to move past it, but I keep putting up these walls without meaning to. I keep getting scared it’ll happen again." Her voice thinned. "What if...what if I accept the bond and you break me like that again?"
The words hung in the air. Derek moved closer and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his chest. Kira tried to pull away at first, but he held her tighter. "Just for a minute," he pleaded. "Let us stay like this."
And slowly, her body gave in; she relaxed, and found herself snuggling into him, resting her head on his chest. His fever was already easing, and she could feel his heartbeat steadying beneath her ear. The warmth of him, the familiar scent, the way his body relaxed around hers — it all felt right.
"Are you alright?" she whispered.
Derek hummed softly, hugging her even tighter. "I understand your fear," he said. "And I’m sorry for breaking what was between us." He pressed a gentle kiss to her hair. "You don’t have to force yourself to accept me now, Kira. If it takes the rest of my life to chase away your fears, one by one, then that’s what I’ll spend it doing."
He held her closer. "I love you so much, Kira."
She said nothing, only snuggled deeper into his embrace. Inside, her mind was a storm — fear battling against the deep feelings she still carried for him. They lay there for a while, breathing together.
She should trust him. Maybe trusting him again was how the walls came down. Maybe it’s time to stop running from this bond.
"Derek," she said softly. "I need to tell you something. About me." She took a deep breath. "I am the Nexus."
Silence.
She waited for his reaction, and when no answer came, she tilted her head up to look at him, and realised he had fallen fast asleep, snoring softly.
A small, fond smile touched her lips as she watched his peaceful face for a moment, then leaned in and placed a gentle kiss at the corner of his mouth.
"Goodnight, my big baby," she whispered.
With a contented sigh, she wrapped herself around him and closed her eyes.
***
A few minutes later, a soft knock sounded at the door. Dr Lorenzo opened it carefully and peered inside. The sight that greeted him — the King and Queen wrapped up in each other’s arms — brought a slow smile to his face. He closed the door gently without a word.
Downstairs, Declan, Nana, and Claire waited anxiously in the sitting room. The maid had told them the doctor had been called to check on the King by the Queen.
"Well?" Nana demanded as Dr Lorenzo appeared. "What’s going on?"
Dr Lorenzo chuckled softly. "Well, it seems the King is perfectly fine for now."