Connell’s eye prickled with unshed tears. He hated feeling this weak but he couldn’t stop the pain from flowing through him. The world was cruel, and he had allowed himself to believe he was above it for a brief moment. Connell should have realized something terrible would happen. It had been too silent recently. Of course, death would eventually find him. He just hadn’t thought it would come for someone so young.
“What is taking so long?” Connell shouted angrily while quickly rising.
The door opened the moment he took a step toward it and his frown dissipated as Elsy stepped inside, wearing a blue gown with her hair no longer tied in a plait. He stared at her, wide eyed, not knowing what to say. The light glimmered on the top of her head, as if she was an angel coming to take Scott away. Her hair hung around her shoulders like wings made of fire. She stared back at Connell as she stood in the middle of the room, Brann hovering behind her.
“Ye asked for me?” she said expectantly, her eyes falling on Scott, moaning from behind Connell. “Oh,” she breathed, rushing past Connell and taking Scott’s hand. “What happened?”
“I don’t know,” Connell rasped, hating how weak he sounded. He cleared his throat, his hands fisting as he slowly turned around. “I found him in the stables. He was speaking nonsense.” Connell watched her as she stroked Scott’s hair away from his face, treating him delicately. She pressed the backs of her hands against the boy’s cheeks, frowning before looking up at Connell.
“He has a fever.”
Connell nodded. He didn’t trust his voice to speak.
“Do ye know how long he’s been like this?”
Connell shook his head. “Like I said, I found him in the stables just now.”
Scott’s eyes fluttered open, and he turned to Elsy, grasping her hand tightly while he gulped down air. His eyes widened, yet they were still unfocused. “Please, don’t let them take me. I don’t want to go. Don’t let them take me.”
Elsy shook her head. “Of course, I won’t let them take ye.”
Scott nodded, tears streaming down his cheeks as he choked on a sob.
“Rest, sweet lad,” Elsy hushed, pushing his shoulders down onto the bed. “Don’t ye worry. I won’t let any harm come yer way.”
Scott’s eyes slowly closed, his body relaxing into the mattress.
“Please,” said Connell, hating the desperation in his tone. “Help him. There’s nae other healer.”
Elsy didn’t look at Connell, her attentions remaining on Scott. “Of course, I will help him, Connell.” She glanced over her shoulder and his heart fluttered as her lips lifted into a small, soft smile. “If there’s anything left of that lass ye once knew, it’s my abilities in healing. I will ensure the lad’s health returns.”
