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“That should work” Schaeffer gently placed the satin case over her back, and Darien eased her down to thea towel over her breasts

As the doctor prepped the syringe, Darien said, “Not toospecific beyond the coh to reach past the pain to heal”

“Yes,” she said, though her eyes were closed and her voice was barely audible

Darien delicately rean handed him another towel so he could dry her wet skin Then he pulled the sheet and co to help warm her

“I’ll tend to the fires,” Morgan said “Then I’ll alert Sheena”

Schaeffer told him, “I’ve never taken care of Jade before Or her father He’d never been sick a day in his life, nor has she”

“She possesses soifts Her secrets must stay within these walls”

The physician’s chest puffed “I’ve been practicing medicine for nearly fifty years, your Majesty I value doctor-patient confidentiality”

“Good, because you’re going to get an eyeful this evening” He dragged a chair over to the bed for the doctor “Just be extreentle with her,” he warned

Schaeffer looked duly advised and suddenly a bit unnerved

Darien sighed Bring it down a notch Don’t scare the hell out of someone who can help Jade

But he was on edge So htened a leather strip around her upper arm and then rubbed alcohol on the inner crook of her elbow Locating the vein he wanted, he pricked her with the needle

Jade screamed bloody murder

Darien pinched the bridge of his nose The physician did not give up his post, but ad, tidied up and then stood That hen Darien sa pale he’d turned

“It was just a needle,” Schaeffer said in his defense