Burning

Kai

I groan when I open my eyes. The world is so. Very. Hot. My head is pounding, and my throat feels drier than the sand in the Scorches. I try to sit up only for my muscles to give out, leaving me on the mattress. 

"Kai?" 

Paedyn rolls over beside me, and presses her cool fingers against my forehead. "You're burning up," she murmurs, shifting closer. I grunt, barely able to keep my eyes open. The bed creaks as she moves away, and I hate the absence of her warmth.

"Stay," I manage. My voice is barely above a whisper.

She pauses. Then I feel the cool press of a damp cloth against my forehead.

"I'm not going anywhere," she murmurs. She calls for Ellie to bring some medicine from the Healers.  My body alternates between two types of torture – burning heat and chills. I hear Ellie walk in and hand Paedyn something. Paedyn props me up gently with a pillow and presses a glass vile to my lips. Bitter liquid fills my mouth and I gag on it as I swallow. I cough. I grimace from the bitter taste that lingers on my tongue. Paedyn's hand is steady against my back, rubbing slow, soothing circles. I groan. 

"Who knew you were such a baby when you're sick," she teased. I started laughing, but it just led to a coughing spasm.  

"I'm fine," I rasp, even though we both know it's a lie.

She lifts a brow. "You could barely sit up a minute ago."

I huff, closing my eyes. "Minor setback."

Paedyn snorts. "Right."

But then she shifts closer, settling on the edge of the bed so she's half-leaning against me. Her warmth seeps through the blanket, her presence grounding. I let my head tilt slightly toward her, just enough to feel her there.

"Get some rest, Kai," she murmurs.

And with her beside me, I finally let the exhaustion pull me under.

word count - 316 words

sorry this is so short but i took advice and kai's getting taken care of by paedynnnnn. anyways lol i'll prolly post another chapter even though i'm supposed to be studying.