Reluctant to leave her side

Lucian took the cup from the tray Zane held out to him and poured the warm water from the jug for his wife before carefully handing it to her.

"Gently, love," he cautioned when she began to gulp down the water hurriedly to quench her thirst and soothe the dryness in her throat. She held out the cup for more, and he poured it for her. She drank carefully this time, all the while Lucian watched her with a tender expression on his face. She didn't finish the water and handed him back the cup. He reached out and wiped the side of her lips with his finger and helped her lay back on the pillow before he turned to the king, who was still standing at the side of the door blocking the doctor from entering the chamber.