“How long have I… been out?” I asked, attempting to soften the probe with a nonchalant tone.

Thankfully, Cair didn’t seem troubled by the question. He just glanced at the clock on the wall, doing a mental calculation before saying, “Almost twelve hours.”

My eyes widened reflexively, but in truth, was that really so much of a shock? I mean, I knew Fae decayed slower than humans, but judging by the weird contractions happening in my legs, I’d say the process was definitely given the chance to begin. “Yeah, I feel every single one of them.”

“You are in pain?” He shifted as if to stand. “I will go and⁠—”

“No, no. No pain.” At least, nothing debilitating. “Just a little stiff and achy.” I squirmed, grunting as my muscles protested. Shit. Note to self: clawing your sorry ass back from rigor mortis will make you feel one hundred years old. “I think I need to sit up, though. Stretch out the ole bones a bit. Can you help me?”

His jaw clenched, considering, but as soon as I propped my hands on the bed on either side of my waist to attempt the move myself, he leaped into action. “Careful, sweet boy,” he said, his fingers trembling against the back of my neck. “Let me prop up the cushions so you have something to lean against.”

It was impressive how he managed to balance me at an angle with one hand, treating me like the most precious thing in all the world, while he repositioned the pillows with the other. Once he was content with the integrity of his pile—having changed their order four times—he set me down, helping me to shift around until I was comfy.

“Much better,” I sighed, already feeling the benefits of the change. My nosiness was grateful for the upgraded vantage point.

Cair continued to fuss, making sure every part of me was secure by tucking the blankets under my sides to fix me in place. I couldn’t help the tender smile curving my lips. “You’d make a great nurse,” I teased lightly. He didn’t laugh, but a faint spark returned to his eyes, and in my book, that was progress.

“I wouldn’t do this for anyone else,” he asserted, and something about the admission made me feel all warm and toasty inside, which was a good thing because I still had that deathly chill lingering in my blood like a bad smell.

Speaking of… No, a brief sniff told me I didn’t stink. Surprisingly. Unless my nose was switched off, Cair must have taken care of that too.

I didn’t need to pee either, which— Oh, God. Did that mean…?

Is it possible to die of embarrassment three minutes after resurrection?