Her pulse slowed beneath Lilliana’s fingers. Not cured, but not worsening either.
Relief flooded her so fast that she nearly swayed.
“Will she die?” Conall whispered.
“No,” Lilliana said firmly, meeting his eyes. “Not today. Not from this, laddie. No.”
She sat back on her heels, wiping her charcoal-stained fingers on her apron.
This was no accident. The sickness in the stream had been gradual. Enough to sicken many, but slowly.Thiswas direct.
Someone had gone from house to house. Or from well to well. Testing for chinks in the armor. Holes. Ways to continue spreading the poison.
Lillian’s jaw tightened. “Conall,” she said quietly, “no one drinks from that well again. Not even boiled water. Not until the Laird has sealed it.”
Beth’s eyes widened. “But then how?—”
“There is a spring upriver,” Lilliana said. “I will mark it for you. You must draw from there and only there. I will speak to the Laird tonight.”
She rose, heart pounding with clarity instead of confusion.
We need to stop her now.
As soon as Kayden spotted Lilliana walking determinedly towards him, he knew what she was going to say. He shook his head preemptively. “I have nay news. Me men are searching, but they havenae found her or the wellspring.”
She huffed. “You need to let me help,” she insisted.
He shook his head again, slower, before reaching for her arm. “Ye’re swaying on yer feet. Why daenae ye go and lie down? I’ll send yer lady’s maid with yer supper.”
She looked at him with resigned defeat. “We have to help them.”
“And ye’re running yerself ragged doing just that. I appreciate yer care, but ye also must take care of yerself, Lilliana. Please. Go and lie down.”
“No. There is far too much to do.”
“Ye argue with me as if ye think it will sway me, but it willnae. Lass, I will pick ye up and carry ye to bed right now. Daenae test me.”
She stood her ground, putting her hands on her hips in frustration. “You would not dare!”
He arched an eyebrow. Before she could form another protest, he scooped her up cleanly, one arm beneath her knees, the other behind her back. She gave a startled gasp, fingers flying to clutch at his shoulders.
“Kayden!” she hissed.
“Aye,” he replied calmly, starting towards the stairs. “And ye are light as a bundle of reeds when ye forget to eat.”
She struggled half-heartedly, entirely exhausted. “Put me down. I am perfectly capable of walking.”
“Ye were swaying like a sapling in high wind.”
Her retort died on her tongue as her head tipped against his shoulder. The solid heat of him, the steady rhythm of his steps, the faint scent of leather and smoke… it all blurred together. Her hands loosened.
By the time he reached her chamber, her eyes were half-closed.
He laid her carefully on the bed, adjusting the blankets with unexpected gentleness.
“Tomorrow ye will go with Fergus so he can help ye.”
She nodded, and he was glad of her pliancy. She looked more than a bit pale, and he did not like it. He went downstairs to the kitchen to speak to Moira.
