Page 102 of Brutal Reign

Kin’s face splits into a grin. “Can I help?”

“You can help me,” Yarik says. “Because Pavel can’t actually make eggs, despite his claim. Toast and sliced tomato, maybe. Now go wash your hands, and we can get started.”

Kin heads to the sink, climbing up on a chair to reach the tap. As he’s washing up, Yarik turns to me with a frown.

“It’s ten. Hope is usually up by now.”

I hadn’t realized it was that late. I pull up the security cameras on my phone to find Hope curled up in bed. She’s still sleeping despite the sun streaming through the blinds.

“That’s weird,” I mutter.

Yarik shakes his head. “Dinara mentioned she looked tired last night. I offered to bring her tea, but Hope said she was fine.”

A frisson of worry passes through me. “I’ll go check on her.”

Leaving Yarik to supervise Kin, I take the stairs two at a time.

Hope jerks upright when I enter the bedroom, like I’ve shocked her out of a deep sleep.

She rubs her eyes. “Is everything alright?”

“You tell me, angel moy,” I say, crossing the room. “Why are you still in bed?”

She groans and covers her face, clearly not thrilled to see me.

I take her chin in my hand, turn her face to the light, and notice she’s ashen, with shadows lingering beneath her eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she says too quickly. “I’m just a bit tired, but I’m fine.”

I place the back of my hand against her forehead. Her skin is cool and oddly dry, not feverish but definitely not fine.

“Hope, if you don’t tell me what’s going on with you this minute, we’re going to the hospital.”

She sighs. “You’re making a big deal over nothing.”

“Don’t tell me it’s nothing when I can see for myself you’re not okay.”

She closes her eyes briefly. “I have hypothyroidism. I take medication for it, but I ran out. It’s not that serious yet, mostly fatigue and a little brain fog.”

“Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

“I—I tried, but we were interrupted. I guess it slipped my mind.”

My jaw clenches. “Get dressed. I’m calling my personal physician to meet us at his office.”

“I don’t need to see a doctor. I only need them to call in a prescription for me.”

“You’re getting a full physical, and that’s non-negotiable. This is your health.”

“Intense much?”

Me, intense? She hasn’t seen anything yet. “You’re my wife, and make no mistake, I will always take care of you. Your health, your safety, your happiness come before everything else.”

Hope swallows, her eyes searching mine for deception, for an angle, for the catch that she’s sure must exist.

“Don’t do that again,” I say hoarsely.