I forced him to look at me, tilting his chin up. “Bartholomew…” I didn’t know what I was trying to ask, but he did not appear well.
“I'm dehydrated,” he commented.
Panic coursed through my veins so rapidly it felt as if I’d been filled with fire. “What?”
“I haven’t been drinking enough water, but it’s fine.”
It was not fine. It was not fine at all. Kalvoxrencol had told me several times of a human’s need to drink copious amounts of water. Not enough and… Well, I didn’t know what happened, but my younger brother had made it sound dire.
I shoved more hydration cubes at him.
“Mindy, I’m f—”
I didn’t let him finish, popping one into his mouth. The feel of his lips on my fingers was enough to make my stomach curl, but I ignored it, far more concerned about Bartholomew’s health. As soon as he swallowed, I pushed another into his mouth, tailthrashing. Unable to stop myself, I dragged him onto my lap, scent marking him.
“Another.” I pushed the cube to his lips.
“Mindy, there’s not enough.”
“I can melt snow.”
“I can’t drink it unless it’s been boiled. It might make me sick.”
Stars, humans were fragile. I tugged him even closer, soul racing. I could lose my little mate so easily. “I can boil it.”
“I don’t want you to strain yourself.”
I rested my mouth against his temple, not using any pressure. I would not kiss him, but the need to touch him pulsed with an intensity that refused to be denied. “I’m recovering perfectly fine, my Teddy. You need to drink more.”
He frowned.
“You must tell me what you require, Bartholomew. I’m not familiar with every human need, so you have to tell me. Please. I have to keep you safe. Do you understand?”
His mouth was so achingly close to mine that I felt his breath on me when he said, “Fine.”
Bartholomew took the other cube, then tucked against me. I cupped the back of his head, keeping his slight form tight against mine. Steadily, he warmed as I gave him a few more hydration cubes. Tomorrow, I planned to melt some snow for him to drink and for us to bathe. I would give my mate whatever I had, even if there wasn’t much here.
He released a long breath. “Don’t work on the ship without me.”
“I won’t if you don’t want me to.”
“I’m cold, and you need to heal.”
I smiled, resting my lips on his spiky hair. My mate cared about me. He had Vince, but we would work out. I knew it. It only made sense.
Mindy shoved another water cube at me, and I took it without fighting. There was no point. He was freaking out, and if I didn’t drink the water, he would panic even worse. I was worried about running out and Serlotminden stressing himself to boil water for me, but at the same time, I was dehydrated and needed it.
His hand trailed over my back, a finger slipping into the slit of my shirt. I closed my eyes at the feel of his warm scales against my skin.
“How much water do you require?” Serlotminden asked.
“I don’t know.” I very much doubted he understood what ounces were. Besides, who actually drank the amount of water they were supposed to? If I did, I’d be peeing every other second.
“Bartholomew, please.” His grasp tightened on me. “I need to know. I have to take care of you. Humans are so soft.”
I peeked at him, frowning. “What?”
He poked my cheek. “So soft.”
