Perhaps I had been a little presumptuous in charging the Physician to take the best care of Marius.. as if he'd planned on anything less. And while he'd managed on the first try to at least shoo Asia and Cali from Marius' private chambers.. I was a bit slower in heeding the man's orders that we clear out and leave the poor man to recuperate in peace and silence.
Despite my master's supreme preference for discretion, I did not care who saw it when I beheld his sleeping face in my hands and kissed his lips. It was not the sort of obligatory kiss shared among men.. but one that lingered and suggested that I loved him more deeply than mere kin or friendship.
Prior to her departure from his chambers, Cali had told me that she believed those who sleep the unnatural comatose sleep can hear words spoken around them. I know not whether this is true.. but when I did finally release my master's face from my hands, I whispered these words to him: I love you, Master.
