"Dinnae think she'd waltz in here thinkin' we wouldnae ken? Ha, I'm sure her reputation was in the gutter a long time ago," one woman muttered, and Leah's heart sank deeper.
Without looking back, Leah slipped out of the kitchen and made her way toward the infirmary. The familiar scent of herbs and healing salves offered her a small measure of comfort. The infirmary was a sanctuary of sorts, a place where she could focus on the needs of others rather than the chaos of her own life.
As she entered, the soft light filtered through the small window, casting a serene glow over the rows of neatly organized jars. The space was quiet, a welcome contrast to the din of the kitchen. Leah glanced at the slumbering Mason and tiptoed to the nook to take a moment to breathe. She grabbed the bundle of hanging lavender and inhaled deeply.
She moved to the workbench, her hands instinctively reaching for a jar of dried herbs. She began sorting through them as quietly as she dared. The quiet was her sanctuary and she didn't want to wake Mason, but where else could she go? It seemed every room of the castle held some memory of Killian that tugged on her heartstrings. But in the solitude of the infirmary, she could lose herself in the tasks at hand. Each leaf she sorted, each pouch she filled, offered her a fleeting sense of control within the storm of emotions swirling within her.
But even here, the echoes of last night haunted her. Her thoughts skipped to Killian. It was his laughter that tugged on the memory. She let out a heavy sigh as her fingers brushed over her lips. How could one man's lips be so soft and tender? How she wanted to be caught up in his embrace once again. She was safe there. No words could reach her within Killian's secure embrace.
"Leah?" A familiar voice broke her reverie, and she turned to see Mason on the bed, his eyes still crusted with sleep.
"I'm sorry. I dinnae mean to wake ye. I can go and let ye get back to sleep," Leah said as she quickly gathered the herbs to finish elsewhere.
"Ye daenae have to go," Mason said as he rolled to his back before erupting into a coughing fit.
"And ye shouldnae get so worked up," Leah said as she rushed to the fire for the pot of hot water. She looked into the blackness only to find it bone dry.
"When was the last time ye had a cup of tea?" Leah asked and pulled the pot off the fire.
"Cannae remember," Mason said through the fit.
"I've got to go and fetch more water for ye," she said. "There's nothin' left. But I cannae leave ye in this state."
Leah darted about the room, hunting for some remedy she could offer to soothe his lungs for just a little bit. Applewood in a small jar caught her eye, and immediately, she started shaving the bark. Once she had enough, she grabbed a pipe from the shelf and packed the bark into it.
"Here," she said, rushing to his side. "Breathe in deep."
Mason glared at her as if what she was asking was beyond ridiculous. Leah arched an eyebrow, daring Mason to continue to test her. He pulled in a long, deep breath, choking and hacking until the coughing stopped. Astonished, he handed her back the pipe.
"I'm goin' go fetch the water. If ye start up again, have a bit of that again. It'll open yer airways," Leah instructed. She paused a moment, ensuring Mason was well enough to be left alone before grabbing the bucket for the water and charging for the door.
"Oh, pardon me," Leah said as she nearly plowed over Alan. For once, she found herself grateful for his presence.
"Me word," he mumbled as Leah grabbed him before he could topple over.
"I'm terribly sorry."
"Where's the fire?" he asked as his eyes shot to the bucket in her hand. His brow furrowed with concern as he took in her expression. "Ye look troubled, lass. Is everythin' well?"
She forced a smile, though it felt like a mask. "Mason has been havin' issues with his cough. I need to go and fetch water. Can ye look after him for a bit?"
"Of course," Alan said with a smile. "Ye go and leave him in me care."
"Should only take but a moment," Leah explained as she started up the steps, her voice trailing behind her. She hadn't heard his response, but she wasn't about to waste any time. Moving purposefully, Leah rushed to the kitchen and out to the garden, making a beeline for the water spout.
Once the bucket was filled, she rushed right back to the infirmary.
"I'll have yer tea ready in just a moment," Leah called over her shoulder as she poured the water into the pot and put it back over the fire. She darted to the shelf and grabbed the ingredients she needed.
There was tension in the room she couldn't quite place. She didn't know if Alan was scrutinizing her every move or if there was something else going on, she didn't know about.
"Leah, could ye come here for a moment?" Mason asked, his tone somber but stern. She poured some tea into a cup and walked over to him.
"Here," she said as she noticed Alan rising from his place beside Mason to give her his spot.
"Is it true?" Mason blurted out. It was three simple words that shattered the illusion Leah had around her.
"What's that now?" Leah asked as she glanced at Alan. It donned on her the purpose of Alan's visit. He had brought news and rumors to Mason's ear.
