"I know Alexander," says Ned; "He adores you. He is your mate. You're the mother of his children -- you're his husband. He loves you. He was begging for you, earlier." He's tucking another blanket around Aaron; let him sweat out the fever. It will do him good. He rubs Aaron's shoulder, his arm. "He's outside. I can ban him from your sickbed, unless you want him here."