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well-proportioned and feminine though undernourished. Her breasts are small and firm and her hips rounded. Her bottom presses into my mid-section and I hold back a groan. What the hell is wrong with me? I cause her undeniable pain and my cock betrays me when all she needs is proper care. She will have a husband soon and he will protect her from further harm. It will be his duty and I will make sure he understands that. I silently vow that Pepper will be happy and have a choice in the man she couples with. Meagan loved this woman and in honor of my bride’s memory I will make sure Pepper is properly cared for until the day she dies. Hopefully that day will not be any time soon.
    I look to the old woman and wonder if she has any idea of the lurid betrayal of my body. Pepper blocks her view and of that I’m relieved. I can’t imagine the looks I would receive from my servants if they knew what a reprobate I actually was. “Place two towels out and return to your bed. I will call if I have additional need.” My voice is gruffer than I meant it to be but when my thoughts are all over the place it’s the best I can do.
    The old woman openly assesses me with eyes of steel. It takes a few moments for her to decide I obviously pass whatever test she has given me. She finally performs the task I request and leaves the room with one last glare in my direction.
    She’s gone for only a short time when Pepper begins coughing. Steam continues rising from the water, so I’m hoping it helps. Illness is almost unheard of in the dragon realm because our humans are well cared for and we do not have disease such as that which is found in the earth realm. As far as I know, no one has ever been left in a cold room nearly naked for weeks. Until my mindless order.
    The coughing fit subsides and her entire body goes limp once more. I only rise from the water when it begins to cool. I grab both towels and carry Pepper to my bed. I lay her on the comforter and tenderly dry her off. I try very hard to ignore her nakedness. The fact that her breasts are made for a man’s hands and her too small waist only accents her rounded hips makes it nearly impossible. I would never touch her sexually, but I can’t help acknowledging her stunning beauty as I stand back and gaze at her. I am pure male whether man or dragon and that cannot be turned off.
    Pepper remains still as death, which helps dispel any ridiculous needs my body might think it has. I finally have her dry and place her beneath the covers. I quickly dry myself and climb in with her. I forgot about putting her in the nightdress and I’m not doing it now because her body begins to shiver again. With us both naked she gets more of my body heat. It takes another hour before the chills and coughing subside. I give a thankful sigh when she settles into a deep sleep. Her breathing seems better too. I drift off spooned around her back with my face at the top of her head wishing it was my sweet Meagan in my arms.
     
    ***
     
    For the next two days, the old woman and I care for Pepper. We force broth and water down her throat and I hold her head over a towel as she vomits up most of what we feed her. We change her into a different one of Meagan’s gowns each day and keep her clean by washing her down with a cloth. Her lips move occasionally, but I have no idea what she’s trying to say. It’s her silent tears that affect me most. They trail down her cheeks and remind me of how deeply she’s suffered. I don’t like it one bit and I can see Meagan’s shadow judging me for the horrible dragon I am.
    A month of misery in the cold and dark is beyond comprehension. Pepper was always such a wispy little thing, full of life and endless energy. She smiled incessantly and her impish grin gave Meagan constant delight. The two of them were always conversing in that confounded hand language. It drove me crazy that I couldn’t understand what Meagan was saying. I also wanted to hear Meagan’s voice as