Eleanor set the tray aside as Conaan fell asleep next to her, his fingers tightening around her hand. He felt warm, but not his usual warmth. It was an unhealthy warmth, and she wondered if it was really possible for a simple fever to put him down like that.

It could have mixed with the fatigue of his latest conquest, and she decided to let it be.

She let him sleep for a while, before he finally loosened his grip. She carefully removed her hand from his, then slowly moved away from him.

Noiselessly, she let herself off the bed, then walked away to the other side. She put the...