Chapter 56

Clara instinctively reached out to catch Alexander as he collapsed. The moment her hands touched his skin, she realized something was wrong—he was burning up, his body radiating a heat that was far from normal. "You have a fever," she said, her voice tinged with worry. Alexander heard her, her voice clear and frantic, but his body refused to cooperate. He wanted to get up, to tell her not to worry, but he couldn't even lift his hand. When he tried to speak, a sharp pain tore through his throat, the taste of metal flooding his mouth. Even his breath felt scorching hot. Clara felt his labored breathing against her neck, and despite her rising embarrassment at the close proximity, she knew she couldn't leave him like this. A faint blush dusted her cheeks, but she shook it off. "Let me help you inside," she said firmly. Biting her lip, she braced herself and used her foot to nudge the door open completely. Alexander's tall, muscular frame was no small feat for her to supp