5. Ell-rom

5

ELL-ROM

A s Bridget continued to measure the length and circumference of Ell-rom's atrophied leg muscles, he struggled to keep his eyelids from drooping. The few steps he had taken around the room had robbed him of the last dregs of energy he could muster, and if he weren't eager to see Jasmine return, he would have gladly succumbed to sleep.

When the knock came and Jasmine peeked in, he couldn't help the grin spreading over his face.

She held a steaming cup in one hand and a covered bowl in the other. "Is it okay to come back in?" she asked, her eyes darting between Ell-rom and Bridget.

"Perfect timing," Bridget said, gathering her things. "I was just finishing up. He's all yours."

As Jasmine walked in, Bridget headed for the door but paused in the doorway, looking back at Ell-rom. "Remember what I said. Don't push yourself too hard."

He nodded.

When the door closed behind the medic, Jasmine set the two containers on the bedside table. "Hungry?" She removed the lid from the bowl, and given the smell, it was his soup.

He tried to stifle a grimace. "Frankly, I'm a little nauseous after all the physical activity Bridget made me do."

"What did you do?" Jasmine perched on the side of his bed.

"I just took a few steps around the room, and it exhausted me." He didn't want to mention the device that had measured the strength of his grip and the results that were in line with that of an elderly human female.

Jasmine eyed the soup. "It's a shame to let it get cold. Also, Bridget said that you need to eat to get stronger."

That was the convincing argument.

He definitely wanted to get stronger as soon as possible.

"I'll try some." He leaned over to take the bowl, but Jasmine stopped him.

"Let me feed you. You're tired."

Recalling what Bridget had said about females enjoying the role of caretakers, Ell-rom didn't argue. "I like it when you feed me."

Jasmine's bright smile turned her face from beautiful to spectacular. "And I love feeding you." She lifted a spoonful into his mouth. "I have to wonder, though, how you are going to grow back your muscles on vegetable broth. You need to eat protein, but since you don't consume meat, I guess it would have to be tofu or beans or maybe a protein shake. Can you tolerate milk or cheese?"

"I don't know. Maybe?"

"Let's give it a try." She put the soup on the side table and picked up the other container. "This is coffee with milk. Do you want to give it a try?"

The idea of drinking something that was meant for baby animals did not appeal to him, but Jasmine seemed to enjoy it, so maybe it tasted good.

He nodded. "It doesn't smell offensive."

"I think it smells really good." She brought the cup to his lips and gave it a little tilt so he could drink. "So, what do you think?"

"It's good." He licked his lips.

It was sweet, but that wasn't because of the milk. "Did you sweeten the coffee?"

"Yes." Her eyes remained glued to his mouth as she murmured, "Do you want more?"

He felt his fangs elongate. "I do, but not coffee. I want to kiss you again."

Jasmine swallowed. "Did Bridget explain the fangs and the venom and all that?"

"She did." He lifted his arm and was proud of himself when he managed to wrap it around Jasmine and pull her to him.

Not that she offered any resistance. With how weak he was, he wouldn't have been able to do anything to her without her full cooperation.

"Be careful around the sharp points," he murmured before he fused their mouths together.

She kissed him lightly this time and leaned back. "I know my way around fangs. You are not the first immortal I've kissed."

Ell-rom smiled. "It's obvious that you have more experience than I do. I'm operating on pure instinct. I just hope not to fumble too badly."

"You're doing great." Her smile was tight for some reason.

"What's wrong?" He kneaded the soft skin at the back of her neck. "Suddenly you seem tense."

"Aren't you going to ask me who I kissed?"

He frowned. "Should I?"

She seemed frustrated. "Doesn't it bother you that I had sex with other males?"

"Why should it?"

She shook her head. "You are right. It shouldn't, but my previous partner was such a jealous guy that I'm surprised to find you so indifferent. Don't you care about me?"

"Of course I care. How can you say that I don't? If you want me to display jealousy, I will."

"But you don't feel it. I don't want you to fake it."

He kept massaging her neck even though it was becoming difficult for him to keep his arm up. "I would not be happy if you showed affection toward another male now, but what was in the past has no bearing on the present or the future." He finally let his arm drop away.

She pouted. "What if I was a terrible person in my past? Would you forgive all of my past transgressions?"

"Yes. But I'm sure there is nothing to forgive. You are pure of heart and strong of spirit, my lovely Jasmine."