Page 4 of Unwanted
Fen shot a desperate look Frost’s way.
Frost made a shooing motion. “I’ll be fine.”
That was all the permission Fen needed. Things had been quiet for a long time and Frost had plenty of eyes on him. In truth, Fen wasn’t sure why they were still there. Lucifer meant Frost no harm. In fact, the dark god kept Frost safe. The rest of them were useless by comparison, but their orders hadn’t been updated, so they just kept showing up to guard duty.
Fen stayed hot on Kyrie’s heels. “How do you plan to get home?”
Kyrie didn’t slow. “I might look like a child to you, but I can find my house.”
Fen pinched the spot between his eyes. Kyrie was obviously still angry.
“Och, I know you’re nae a bairn. I’m nae attracted to children.”
Kyrie froze. He slowly turned. His expression remained closed, but at least he wasn’t running. “What did you just say to me?”
Fen was no coward. If he had been better with words last night, they wouldn’t be in this mess. “I realized after you left last night, you’re the reason the food tasted good. It had nothing to do with some special concoction of ingredients. The meal was only enjoyable because I spent it with you.” Fen found the hint of discomfort he hadn’t thought he would feel by being brave.“Not that your cooking is nae impressive, but the way your eyes danced with laughter distracted me so I could eat. The moment you left, everything dulled again, and I couldn’t finish.”
“Is that why you showed up last night? So I could help you eat?”
Damn. Kyrie was determined to stay mad. “I came so I could regain the happiness your company brings to me.”
He saw the fight leave Kyrie. In the absence of his fury, Kyrie looked ten steps beyond exhausted. Fen didn’t know what thoughts went through Kyrie’s head. Whatever they were, Fen would do whatever it took to bring back the smiles. Maybe he was too old for Kyrie, but Fen couldn’t be the reason Kyrie lost his shine. That would be a disservice to the world.
Gemini felt the defeat inside Frost. He shut Gemini out, making Gemini want to punch things. Frost was always so damn determined to carry things alone. As his mate, his inability to share the load hurt Gemini’s chest. They were a team, but most of the time, Frost still lived like an island.
Frost headed down the hall.
Gemini shot to his feet and followed.
Frost fell facedown across the bed. His emotions hit Gemini full force. Frost wanted to quit. He felt like a failure and tired as hell. Gemini climbed onto the mattress and scooped Frost into his arms. He settled down, using Frost as a blanket. Frost cuddled closer, as if searching for Gemini’s heartbeat to comfort himself. These were the only moments when Gemini thought he might not be failing as a mate.
I’m the only failure in this room. You’re the most amazing mate in the world.
Oops. Frost had been in his head. Gemini rubbed Frost’s back, doing all he could to soothe him. “Talk it through with me.”
He felt Frost shrug. “I don’t know what I’m doing. Celeste should’ve never chosen me for this. When I was a real doctor, I never would’ve violated a patient’s privacy by openly discussing their case like that.”
“First off,” Gemini cut in. “You’re still a real doctor. Second, Kyrie is a good kid. He probably already feels guilty. Third,Celeste chose you because you absolutely have what it takes for this job. You’re brilliant. You just need someone safe to bounce ideas around with. I’m your mate. Talk to me like I’m your partner because I am. What do you need to make you feel better equipped?”
He heard the thoughts flitting through Frost’s head before he said a word. “I need study material. When I get patients, sometimes I know exactly what to do—like Celeste floods my head with info. But if I knew more about all the various anatomies, I’d feel more confident in my decisions. I’d feel like I have some sort of control because I’ve put the work in.”
Gemini got it, but still. “You have put the work in. I think you just overthink everything and undermine your abilities. Like, what would you do if Kyrie was human and had a mystery illness?”
“I’d look closer at his bloodwork and run more tests,” Frost answered without hesitation.
“Exactly.” Gemini kissed the top of his head. “So let’s go do that. Just say every thought you have on his blood out loud. Maybe hearing yourself will trigger something. It’s possible I might know some random fact that pertains to Weres.”
“Okay.” Frost sat up. He flashed Gemini a sad-looking smile. “Let’s do this.”
Gemini rolled upward and wrapped himself around Frost’s back like he planned to go for a piggyback ride. “Not yet.”He kissed the side of Frost’s neck before licking and sucking. The way Frost’s breathing changed had Gemini poking at his thoughts. Frost threw some images at Gemini that had Gemini whimpering.
If you plan to make me miserable while I work, you’re going down with me.
Gemini chuckled against Frost’s skin.Oh, I’ll go down. But not before you use that genius mind and take another look at that blood again.
Frost released a put-upon sigh. “Fine.” Without warning, Frost stood holding on to Gemini and headed for the makeshift surgicenter King Jonathan had created for Frost.
Gemini panicked a little. He was a Were leopard. His body weighed more than a human’s. Yet Frost made the stroll like Gemini weighed nothing, with Gemini clinging to him like a monkey.
