I do not own any part of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. All of that greatness is the work of the amazing J R Ward.
As of 5-22-12 the wonderful GothicBelle has beta'ed this for me. Hopefully this is now easier to read.
I hope everyone enjoys.
Chapter Nineteen
Qhuinn opened the classroom door and slowly entered. Blay was sitting up and had most of his color back. Qhuinn felt relief flow through him. It was amazing what their bodies could do when well fed. He took a deep breath and headed for his chair.
"Hi," he said as he sat down.
"Hi," Blay said in return. He sounded great, no gravelly, huskiness in his voice, just his smooth sexy baritone now.
"How're you feeling?"
"Lots better. When I first woke up it felt like I'd been ran down by a Mac truck. Now that the pain killers are kicking in it's more like a Ford Fiesta," he looked over at Qhuinn and gave him a little grin.
Qhuinn smiled back, a big cheesy assed smile. "I hate that you hurt at all, but if you're hurting you're alive. And I'm over the fucking moon happy that your alive," he put his hand on top of Blay's.
"I'm pretty damn happy to be alive too," Blay couldn't help himself, he knew the risk was high, but still he turned his hand over and laced his fingers with Qhuinn's. It was a comfort to him. He glanced up at Qhuinn; the male was staring at their joined hands. "You know I didn't even feel it. The gun shot. I had no idea, I actually thought I was being a wuss and was fainting."
"Why would you faint?"
"I, well," Blay looked down at their hands. He didn't want to tell him how pathetic he was.
Qhuinn used his free hand to lift Blay's chin so he could see his sapphire eyes. "Blay, you can tell me anything."
Blay leaned his head away from Qhuinn's hand. It was too much contact, too intimate. "I'll tell you, but I don't want you to misunderstand, to see more into it than there is," he paused thinking about his dream of the Scribe Virgin and what she had said. "It was just a dream," he thought to himself. Not real, he was under sedation and couldn't trust what he'd seen. On the other hand, he had to take all this slowly just in case the Virgin and John were right. But he had to be careful with his heart. "Qhuinn, first off you have to understand I don't trust you the same as before. Let me finish. You've always had my back, Qhuinn, been my best friend for as long as I can remember. I trust you with my life, I promise you that will never change," he paused, not wanting to say the next part. Even though Qhuinn had hurt him time and time again, he didn't want to hurt him. "I just can't trust you with my heart."
"Then I'll just have to earn that trust back," Qhuinn vowed, covering their linked hands with his free one. "I'm going to prove to you that I really do love you with my whole heart."
Blay gave him a sad little smile and said, "I really hope you do." Then he sagged back into his pillow. This was getting to be a little too much for him. He was starting to feel a little sleepy.
"Blay, you're looking pretty tired. How about you lay down? You can take a nap and when you wake up I'll get us some food and we'll talk some more when you feel up to it."
"That sounds good. I really am tired," Blay said not wanting him to think he was trying to back out of explaining what he thought back in that hallway.
"Of course you're tired, baby," Qhuinn responded with concern in his voice, "you almost died last night. Blay, what happened to you was serious, you had us all worried. I wasn't convinced you were okay until the Scribe Virgin herself came to me."
"The Scribe Virgin?" Blay asked barely able to hold his eyes open.
"Shh, go to sleep. We'll talk about it all later," Qhuinn kiss his forehead just as he slipped back to sleep. "Sweet dreams, baby." Qhuinn settled back into his chair and stared at their linked hands again. "Progress," he whispered drifting off to sleep himself.
…
Jane felt a little guilty leaving V asleep this afternoon when she knew he wanted to discuss Butch with her. But they were not a problem for her. She had known they had a special relationship from the beginning and on a level she had always known she shared V's heart with the cop. Plus she had more important things to do right now. She had four patients in the mansion, including V. She had thoroughly checked his scars earlier. However the two in the Training Center needed her attention the most.
She had just checked Syhren over. The female was healing nicely. Jane had called Tohr and Saxton to come feed her. She had asked Mary and Rhage to explain to the males that she was checking in on Blaylock and would be right back in case they arrived before she returned.
She opened the classroom door to find Blay and Qhuinn holding hands in their sleep. It was too cute. Blay seemed to be resting well and was looking much better this afternoon. Qhuinn however looked completely exhausted sleeping in the chair by the bed. It had to be very uncomfortable.
"I'll call John to come help them up stairs," Tohr said from behind her. "That is if you think Blay can be moved?"
Jane hadn't had much interaction with Tohr other than doctor and patient. He was straight forward and to the point. He gave orders with out being pushy or overbearing. He was respectful above all else. She really appreciated that about him.
Jane moved to the bed and checked all the machines and the incision marks on his chest. "He looks good to go. I'll wake him and remove all the wires and stuff. Go ahead and call John. It might be a good idea to get Rhage too. Just in case. He'll probably be tired before he's gone very far."
"Good thinking, Doc." Tohr said getting his cell out. He started texting John.
"You might want to head on over to Syhren's room before I get to the catheter."
"Great idea," Tohr said closing the door.
"Men, males, whatever, are all a bunch on pansies when it comes to their dicks," she laughed.
"Can you blame us?" Qhuinn asked opening his eyes.
"Not really," Jane laughed again. "I'm going to remove all this, and then you and a couple of the Brothers can help him to his room."
"You sure that's a good idea? He still seems weak and he tires quickly."
Jane smiled at Qhuinn. "I know, but he'll rest better in his own bed. This room isn't suited for a long recovery. He'll be better off up stairs with you to watch over him. We'll check on him every couple of hours and if he needs me for anything you can just call. I want you to keep him in bed or on the couch. He still needs lots of rest. We should probably have him feed again later tonight. Don't let him up by himself, even to use the restroom. No shower or bath until I say so. Let him sleep all he wants. You got all that?" She waited for him to nod. "Good. Also both of you need to eat."
"Yes, Doc," Qhuinn smiled at her. "Well then, let's get this over with."
Jane was so happy to see the light in Qhuinn's eyes. Both males had been miserable for months now. This was a shame because these two were perfect for each other. It really warmed her heart to see that things were turning around.
…
Tohr entered the P. T. room and saw Mary and Rhage sitting by the bed.
"Mary, Rhage," he greeted them. His surprise must have shown on his face.
"Wrath didn't want her left alone," Mary explained.
"I was just about to call you, Rhage. Jane wants you to help move Blay up to his room," Tohr told them.
"He'll be more comfortable upstairs," Mary said.
"Coming with, Babe?" Rhage asked sitting her on her feet so he could stand.
"Nah, I'll just run upstairs and have his room ready," she kissed him goodbye and left.
Tohr knew he was shifting back and forth on his feet, fidgeting even. Displays of affection between the Brothers and their shellans were still fraying his nerves. But he was trying. He was up and out of his room. His was training and was going out fighting again. He was having meals with the group. He was trying. So they couldn't fault him a little odd behavior here or there.
"Tohr, you going to be okay here alone?"
"I'm fine, Hollywood, go take care of our boy."
"Later," Rhage said as he left.
Tohr turn back around to look at the female. She looked horrible, so pale and fragile.
'Is this how Wellsie looked right before the end?' he wondered to himself. He didn't need to think about that. He didn't need to travel down that dark path right now. He was here to help this female, Syhren. Such an odd name for a female.
He stepped closer to the bed and studied her. Her skin was an ashy grey color, not the stunning alabaster it was in the courtyard or the pink flush from battle she had earlier at her home. Her cheeks were a bit sunken as well. They had been fuller the first time he'd seen her, slightly round, just enough to give her the look of an elegant porcelain doll. Her lips that had been full and pretty in the moonlight were now cracked and swollen. There was a tube running out the side of her mouth. She also had a handful of wires running from the machines around her to various places under her sheet. There were three different bags running to the I.V. in her arm. Her hands still had a few scratches on them. It all made her look so small and helpless.
Yet he knew better, she had to be the bravest female he'd ever laid eyes on. She was the fierce mother of three young. She lived out in the harsh world without a male. When he had seen her standing in that bedroom with that gun trained on the downed lesser and the doggen held protectively to her side, he'd known she was unique. She had the appearance of a moon goddess and the fierceness and skills of a warrior. She was an elegant lady suited to the glymera and a lioness when it came to her family. She was simply incredible, phenomenal even.
"You will live," he vowed to her. "For Darius you will live. I will not fell you as I did her, him."