“No!” his father shouted. “The hospitals are full of sick people. We need to keep him here away from further exposure.”
Xan ignored that, watching for another moment when he could slip a bit more of the black elderberry syrup between Pater’s lips. Taking the opportunity when it finally came, he was relieved when Pater finally coughed and took a deep, rattling breath. Xan administered the syrup twice more, hopefully getting the amount of a full dose into his pater.
Then he sat back, watching and praying to wolf-god above to spare Pater’s life. Father seemed to do the same. No words were spoken between them, but they both heaved a sigh when, after he’d coughed up a large amount of phlegm, Pater breathed more easily.
Joon appeared again, clearly wide-awake now. “I called all the doctors on our list, sir, but every last one of them is with other patients. I left word with three to come as soon as possible.”
Father nodded, brushing soft, brown hair back from Pater’s face where he’d regained some coloring. “We’ve turned the corner again, hopefully,” he said, meeting Xan’s eye. “Thanks to Xan.”
Xan shook his head. “Thanks to this.” He held up the bottle of medication.
“Black elderberry?” his father whispered. “That’s been out of stock for over a week. Even hospitals are running out.”
Xan turned to Joon and asking, “Were you able to give him the willow tablet?”
Joon shook his head, looking ashamed. “I couldn’t find a time to introduce the idea. I’m sorry, Mr. Xan, I know I promised. But he was sleeping so well earlier. I hated to wake him, and your father said he thought Mr. Lofton was coming around on his own.”
Xan pressed his hand to pater’s forehead and then looked his father in the eye. “If you’ll help me wake him, I have another medication for fever. I gave it to Ray and he’s doing much better now.”
Father stared at him for a long moment before nodding. He lifted up Pater and patted his cheeks gently. “Darling, wake up. Can you hear me, George? I need you to wake up.”
Pater’s lashes fluttered, and with obvious effort he pried his lids apart. He sought out his alpha’s face, and when he saw him, he smiled softly. “Doxan?”
“Shh. Don’t try to talk right now. Xan’s here.”
Pater’s eyes opened wider, a spark firing deep in them. He sought out Xan, and a weary smile spread over his face. Xan took hold of one of Pater’s hands and squeezed.
“I’m here.”
Pater licked his lips, but his mouth was too dry to talk.
“Get him some water,” Father said. Joon was there instantly with a glass.
Father and Xan held Pater up so he could drink, and when he was done, he lay back on his pillow, Exhausted but staring up at Xan with hungry eyes.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Pater finally rasped. “You’ll get sick too.”
“I’m healthy as a horse. Don’t worry about me.”
Pater darted his eyes to Father. A worried expression flitted over his face, but he didn’t give voice to it. Instead he turned his attention back to Xan and said, “I’m so happy to see you. I’ve missed you so much.”
Xan’s heart clenched hard, and his lips trembled. He leaned over and pressed a kiss to his pater’s forehead. “I’ve missed you too. I love you.”
Father said nothing beside them.
Pater’s eyes filled with tears. “I was afraid…”
“Shh. I’m here now.”
Pater nodded slowly. “Thank wolf-god. My prayers were answered then.”
Xan’s heart ached. He’d missed his pater so deeply, and somehow it didn’t make it hurt less to hear that his pater had felt the same. “Pater, I have medicine I need you to take,” he finally said when his throat relaxed enough that he didn’t think he’d burst into tears. “Right, Father?”
“Yes, George,” Father whispered. “Take the pill. Xan has brought it just for you. It’ll make you feel so much better, my one.”
With effort, Pater sat up enough to take the small tablet with another sip of water. He smiled up at Xan as he lay back in the bed. “Your hair is different. And you look older.”
Xan kissed his pater’s forehead again. “Caleb’s barber in Virona said this style would suit me.”
