her. Kurat wrapped his arm over her, the heat put out by his skin acting as a localized blanket. His elbow rested near her belly, and he opened his hand to loosely grip one shoulder.
She didn’t think she would be able to sleep with his erection sliding slightly with every breath, but she managed it just fine.
Chapter Six
Del tried to walk with dignity, but her skin was raw even though Kurat had taken care with her. The silk of her trousers just made things worse, sliding and rubbing against her every time she took a step.
Years of training enabled her to paste a pleasant smile on her face and walk with a normal gait, but she was stiff and sore under that façade.
Kurat had wrapped her hand around his arm before they stepped off the shuttle and onto the Na-Lanvin warship. She tried not to lean too heavily on him, but it was difficult.
Kurat sighed. “I should have waited. I am sorry.”
She blinked and saw his gaze firmly fixed on her. “What?”
“I should have waited until we were near the healers. Once the goddesses have made their decision, you will be more able to enjoy my attentions without aftereffect.”
He walked right past the eager captain and down the hall marked with a deep blue line.
“Uh, where are we going?”
“To medical. I want to make sure that I did not damage you.” He was frowning.
She looked up into his face and realized that he was truly concerned. “I will be fine in a day or two. Soft tissue heals quickly.”
“And after that? No. We will see the healers now and check on you.”
His insistence was endearing. Del had the feeling that if she balked, he would simply lift her up and carry her, so she kept soldiering on.
When they got to medical, she was separated from him and given a full body scan. The medical staff addressed her as Lady Delyth, and since she had been called worse, Del acquiesced to whatever they asked her to do.
“Light tearing of the vaginal and rectal walls, some muscle strain but nothing to prohibit a speedy, natural recovery.” The physician smiled at her as he checked his notes.
She heard Kurat clear his throat.
The physician widened his eyes. “Oh, so that is the case. Well, please remove your clothing, and we will run you through the regenerator. You will be back at optimal levels in a few minutes.”
Del sighed. “That is not really necessary.”
“Yes, it is.” Kurat came around the partition and scowled at her. “You will be treated, and that is the end of it.”
She wrinkled her nose and removed her clothing, folding it neatly and putting it on a nearby chair. She hopped up into the machine and lay supine while the physician pressed the buttons that would bathe her in regenerating light.
Del glared at Kurat, but he seemed immune to her irritation.
The physician seemed a little nervous in the presence of the High Prefect. His gaze kept darting to Kurat’s forehead for some reason that Del couldn’t fathom.
“Lady Delyth, please remain still.”
“What?”
“You are tapping your feet.”
She snickered. Moving to the beat in her head was a bad habit of hers when she was bored. “Yes, Doctor. Sorry, Doctor.”
He watched the monitors, and Kurat watched her. Heat bloomed in her abdomen as the light focussed on it. Ten minutes later, her aches and pains were gone and the physician was helping her to sit.
“Hands off her, she’s mine.”
At Kurat’s growl, the doctor let her go so quickly, she thudded back to the scanning bed.
“Ow.” She rubbed the back of her head and scowled at Kurat.
He moved to her side and replaced her hand with his own. “I am sorry. I should have made it clear to the medical staff that you are to be the host and not simply a lover.”
He massaged her scalp and eased her off the table.
“What is the difference?” Del pattered to the chair where her clothing was and pulled the tunic over her head.
The physician was looking as if he wanted to be anywhere else but in their presence.
“As