Chapter 45
Part 1
Kol was sitting on the bed reading as he waited for Kessa to join him. He smiled sweetly as she walked into the room. “What’s wrong?” He asked as he held his arm open for her.
“I don’t feel right.” She stated weakly. He kissed her forehead but she was already asleep.
When he woke, she was still sound asleep. ‘Let her rest.’ He thought. A sweet kiss on the forehead brought her to life. “I’m so cold.” Her face felt normal to him but her hands were cold. Before he was finished planting a kiss on her cold hands, she was asleep.
Kol found her note on his pillow. He smiled as he held it to his heart. All her notes lived in his night table. After he put it away, he started changing.
Max burst into their chambers falling in a pile before Kol. “Max.”
“I beg for your help, my king.”
Kol got down facing Max. He pushed up on Max’s shoulders, “what?”
Tears were streaming down Max’s face. “Make her stop. Order her to stop.”
“Show me.”
The men ran to the barracks. Marcus was alone. He sadly shook his head, pointing to a door in the back of the room. Kessa was leaned up against the wall in the darkest corner, struggling to breathe. Her mouth was wide open, eyes closed, skin cold to the touch, yet she was sweating. Her face. Kol’s heart stopped. Her face was hot. What were these noises she was making; strange gurgling sounds. Wisps of hissing.
“Get Rajaf. Meet us back at our quarters.”
Max ran from the room. Kessa whimpered as Kol picked her limp body up.
Kol watched from the foot of the bed as Rajaf tried to figure out what was wrong with his daughter.
“Max,” she shuttered, “I’m so cold.”
Kol was cut to the bone. ‘Max.’ He thought hurt and angry.
Max was standing by the door out of sight. He stepped next to Kol. “I am the last person she spoke to.” He whispered. “I was trying to get her to call it a day. She almost passed out twice.”
Kol turned to face Max. “What?” He asked hurting for a totally different reason.
Rajaf cleared his throat; pulling their attention to him. “I need to know everything.”
Kol started, “two nights ago she said she was tired. She was asleep before her head hit my shoulder. Last night, she reported that she was cold. Her hands were. When I got up, she didn’t. I left her asleep.”
Max finished, “General Marcus, the Queen and myself, had a meeting at the barracks. The first time since I’ve known her that she has been late for anything. Then twice; at different points, she passed out. After the first time, I all but begged her to be done. But she wouldn’t hear of it. After the second time, I came and got the king.”
Frego asked, “has she eaten anything?” It was the first time Kol noticed his son was in the room.
“She picked but ate nothing of substance.” Max offered.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen her eat anything. She has requested a lot of juice.” Kol thought out loud.
Frego asked again, “is anyone at the barracks sick?”
“Several. General Marcus for one. He did eat lunch but said he was tired and his head hurt.”
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