The Fever

From one inn to the next I traveled, the road between the two becoming quite familiar. I had left, again without word, but then I wasn't a woman that was used to telling others of my business. Old habits would die hard.

I’d left Aiden far too long already, even though what he needed most was sleep. I went directly to my room, where he still lay sleeping, trying to be as quiet as possible.

He was sweating profusely, both clothing and bedding soaked and moaning in his sleep.

The thickness of regret left a lump in my throat, my stomach dropping an inch or two when I'd realized how bad off he actually was. I dampened his brow with a cool rag, and began to undress him from wet clothing that was dripping from his illness.

"I should not have left you." But then, I really hadn't had much of a choice, not this time. "Aiden, can you hear me? Are you awake?"

And then he did the unexpected and called out another woman’s name. "Heavyn Lee. "Heavyn Lee... I don't know what to do." Heavyn Lee.. what should I do.. She is bolder than me.. Beautiful I want you to meet her. But she won't have me."

I have never felt jealousy, but for a brief moment, I did. I finally released him from the torment of wet clothes, then kissed the top of his head. "Oh, Aiden, how I wish things between us were different." He slept calmly for a while after that and I did not leave his side.

When he at last awoke he fretted over his non existent clothing, still worried that it wasn’t proper for him to be naked in my room. I assured him I hadn’t compromised him, which seemed to at least calm him. "I could get you some clothing, but it would be best if you didn't put it on. The fever will probably come back, which means I would only have to undress you again. I promise not to look. Are you hungry, can you eat? I have fruit if you wish some."

He did and I fed him with the cut slices.

The knock on the door had caught me off guard, cracking it open only a peek, the blood draining from my face. Castor had come to call.