Chapter 32Awareness slowly came back to Sadiq, and he groaned as he jostled his shoulder when trying to shuffle into a sitting position.
“Do not move!” Rashmi’s voice was as tight and authoritative as Sadiq had ever heard, and he stilled immediately. He opened his eyes, blinking and squinting against a harsh white light. “Let me help.” This time his lover’s voice was softer, and the brightness had dimmed, enabling him to see.
“What happened?” he asked as Rashmi’s beloved face came into view.
“You collapsed in the hallway. If Nyles hadn’t been there, I don’t know how long you would have lain on the floor. Nyles thought you were dying. And when I first saw you, I thought you already had. You were so pale, so still. What were you thinking?”
The controlled façade cracked, and Sadiq saw his
