His breath caught as everyone else momentarily disappeared except for Leetra. She stood near a table full of vials and bowls and all manner of other medicinal supplies, petite and beautiful, her long hair swaying as she reached for something. A heart-stopping mix of feminine beauty and the fierceness and pride of the cretes. The deep ache he’d held for her and kept at bay with the work he did in Valcré came free now that he could be near her for even a brief time.

  She turned then, and their eyes met. Her beautiful lavender eyes. They grew wide, and she didn’t even look back as she let a bowl slip from her hand with a quiet thud on the table. Skirting around the cots, she hurried toward him, running the last few feet into his arms. He wrapped her up tightly as she buried her face in his chest. Even through his coat, her warmth seeped into him, and he pressed his lips to her hair.

  “I missed you so much,” he whispered.

  He felt each hard breath she took, no doubt a struggle to hold in tears. Finally, she stepped back, moisture around her weary, red-rimmed eyes. Knowing her, she hadn’t slept in days. Timothy cupped her cheek in his hand. “Don’t worry, we’re here to help. We have the remedy.”

  Her eyes flashed wide again, and he gestured to Holden, who was already unwrapping his bundle of vials with Aaron’s help.

  In the space of a second, Leetra composed herself. “We must get it to everyone immediately. Some are barely hanging on.”

  Timothy couldn’t help a small smile, in spite of the situation, as she hurried to take the vials from Holden. Leetra came across so cold and hard to others. Even he had thought so when they’d first met, but she cared more than almost anyone he knew. The coldness was merely her armor to protect how deep her feelings and care truly ran. And, Elôm willing, he wanted to spend the rest of his life encouraging that soft side of her to show.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Twenty-four hours. Jace rubbed his eyes and stared at Kyrin’s still face. She hadn’t moved at all since his return yesterday morning. Only her shallow breathing provided any sign of life. He glanced at Lydia in the other bed. She slept peacefully, having woken for the first time only an hour ago. Just long enough for Aric to give her a little of the broth Lenae had brought over. She’d stopped by early with the pot of it along with the happy news that Warin had been conscious for a short time during the night. Jace had to remind himself that Lydia and Warin hadn’t been sick for as long as Kyrin had. It would take longer for the remedy to work and her body to regain the strength it needed for her to wake.

  He laid his hand on her forehead. Still too warm. Shouldn’t the fever have subsided at least? When Leetra had checked on them at dawn, she’d agreed that they should give Kyrin the extra half dose of the remedy. He’d been so sure that would bring her fever down.

  Sighing, he leaned back and rubbed his sore neck, careful not to disturb the healing cut on the back of his head. He still kept getting headaches on and off from the concussion. Leetra was not subtle in her insistence that he should rest. But he just couldn’t bear to leave Kyrin’s side for more than a brief time. Not until he saw some improvement. Please take this fever from her and let her wake up. He’d barely ceased praying since yesterday. He’d run out of words beyond simple pleas for her recovery.

  The cabin door opened, and he looked over his shoulder. Liam stepped in, slipping his boots and coat off by the door. Fresh snowflakes fell around him. It must be snowing again. Jace hadn’t even noticed.

  Marcus and Kaden met him near the table, and they talked quietly, Liam reporting all those who were recovering. Jace tried not to let his anxiety grow that Kyrin wasn’t one of them. When they finished, Liam joined him.

  “I checked Rayad on the way here. He seems to be doing much better this morning. I can watch Kyrin if you’d like to go see him.”

  Jace hesitated. He wished they were all in the same place so he wouldn’t have to leave her, but he did want to see for himself that Rayad was improving. It would help the knot of dread winding up his stomach.

  He pushed to his feet and stretched his fatigued back. “I won’t be long.”

  Tyra followed him outside. She’d been glued to him since Marcus had brought her to the cabin yesterday. According to Trev, she’d barely left Rayad’s side while he was gone.

  A light snow fell, but at least it wasn’t a howling snowstorm. That would have made it difficult to get back and forth between cabins, and Leetra and Liam still made rounds regularly to check on everyone. Jace admired how they and Cassie had held everyone together after Josef had fallen ill.

  When he entered the men’s cabin, he found Elian sitting near the fireplace. Though still pale, he had certainly fared better than most, and the remedy had worked quickly on him. Mick was awake as well, propped up in his bed while Holden and Trev prepared lunch for them at the table. They each greeted him, and Jace made his way over to Rayad’s bed.

  When he’d first visited him yesterday afternoon, Rayad’s gaunt appearance had disturbed him as much as Kyrin’s had. He’d looked so near death, and while there wasn’t a vast improvement today, a little color had returned to his face. When Jace touched his forehead, he found it a normal temperature. He breathed out a sigh. While not out of danger yet, at least Rayad had a good chance of recovering. One more day without the remedy and he might not have survived.

  Jace eased down in an empty chair and reached over to straighten Rayad’s blankets. As he tugged them into place, Rayad drew a deep breath and stirred. Jace stilled and looked at his face. A moment later, Rayad’s eyes parted slowly. He blinked a couple of times before any clarity came to them, but then they focused.

  “Jace,” he breathed out, his voice rough but a wonderful sound.

  Jace couldn’t help the grin that split his face. “Yes, I’m here.”

  Rayad’s eyes slid closed, his breathing deep and even. Jace thought he might be sleeping again, but his eyes opened once more, heavy but not lacking coherence.

  “Kyrin?”

  “She’s still asleep.” Jace swallowed hard. “But she’ll wake up.” She had to.

  Rayad gave the barest hint of a nod and slipped back into unconsciousness. Jace sat still for a long moment. His heart rejoiced to have spoken with him, however briefly, when he’d been so close to death. At the same time, he ached like never before to hear Kyrin’s voice again.

  Fighting to hold onto the hope that Rayad’s improvement offered him, Jace stayed at the cabin for close to a half an hour before his need to be with Kyrin grew too strong. As he pulled on his coat, Holden approached him.

  “Leetra told me something this morning that I thought you should know. Dagren passed while we were gone. I guess the fever hit him hard.”

  Jace paused. The man responsible for Kalli and Aldor’s murders and Baron Grey’s execution was dead. He wasn’t sure how to feel other than that Elôm’s justice had been done. Perhaps he’d feel more strongly about it once Kyrin was out of danger.

  * * *

  Daniel dismounted Captain Darq’s dragon and looked around. It was good to be back in the main camp. He’d felt isolated while he was gone, even if it was for only a couple of days. He had wanted to return the moment one of the riders had brought news of Jace and Holden’s success and enough of the remedy to treat those who had fallen ill in the northern camp. However, he had felt he should stay a bit longer to make sure everything would go smoothly. Now that the sick were improving and no one was threatening to raid the supply shed, he and Cassie could return home while Sam remained behind to help Tane just in case things got out of hand again.

  Daniel turned to Glynn’s dragon to help Cassie down, and the two of them headed toward the meeting hall. When they entered, they found it still full of cots and beds, though the atmosphere had changed dramatically. Those who had been so ill when Daniel had left now rested comfortably or sat up eating and talking quietly to one another, praise Elôm.

  Across the room, Elanor passed between the cots offering what smelled like a savory broth from a kettle to those who were awake. The bright smile on her face combatted any lingering signs of fatigue. It drew a wide smile to Daniel’s lips. He was convinced that she could brighten anyone’s spirits.

  When she spotted him, her smile only deepened. She quickly returned the kettle to the fireplace and hurried to meet him.

  “You’re back.” Her joy to see him erased the chill from the flight. “How are things in the other camp?”

  “There was a bit of a ruckus when I arrived, but I took care of it.”

  “Of course you did.”

  The way her eyes beamed with pride made Daniel feel downright good about himself. A man could accomplish just about anything with a woman like her supporting him. He quite liked making her proud.

  “How is everyone here?” he asked before the urge to kiss her could overtake him.

  “Improving, thank Elôm. I don’t know what we would have done if Jace and Holden hadn’t made it back with the remedy.”

  Daniel was anxious to find out how things were in Valcré but wasn’t quite ready to give up Elanor’s company. The news could wait a bit longer.

  “Is there anything I can help with?”

  Something in her expression told him that she knew exactly what he was doing. With a satisfied little smile, she said, “You can help distribute broth. We’re working to get everyone’s strength up.”

  “Whatever you command, my lady.” He gave her short bow, causing light laughter to bubble out of her.

  Daniel thanked Elôm that he no longer had to worry that she would catch the fever and die. It had come to the point where he couldn’t quite imagine his life without her in it.

  * * *

  Another day dawned. Jace sat in the same chair he’d occupied for most of those hours, staring at Kyrin’s face, willing her eyes to open. Why hadn’t she wakened yet? Why wasn’t she recovering? Why wasn’t the remedy working? The questions ate away at his sanity. He hung his head, his heavy eyelids sliding closed. He hadn’t slept at all in two… three days?

  “Jace.”

  He looked up at Kaden. Kyrin’s twin glanced at her, worry lines deeper than they should be for someone only nineteen. But determination settled in his expression as his attention returned to Jace. “You should rest or at least get some air. I’ll watch her, and one of us will get you at the slightest change. You’ve barely left the cabin.”

  Jace rested his gaze on Kyrin again. It was hard to tear himself away from her. He wanted to be here the moment she opened her eyes, or… if the worst should happen…

  Moisture blurred his vision, and he swallowed nearly overcome. Kaden was right. He needed a moment to compose himself and gather strength for whatever today would bring.

  Without a word, he rose and collected his coat. Tyra followed, as always, her quiet presence comforting, though she was more subdued than usual. He knew she could sense his mood. She might even know things weren’t right with Kyrin. He looked toward the other cabins as he stepped outside. Rayad had woken up again yesterday, even taking some broth, which would surely help his recovery. Jace should visit him, but something tugged him toward the forest instead. A soul-deep need.

  Turning, he crossed camp, passing the cabin he’d put so many hopes and dreams into before everything had collapsed. It seemed like a different lifetime. He didn’t go far outside of camp in case someone came looking for him but far enough to feel the solitude of the forest. Here, beside a towering maple, he sank to his knees and bowed his head.

  For a long moment, he knelt in silence as emotions, fears, and heartache roared inside him. At last, he forced his mind to quiet as much as possible and reached out for the presence he knew was always there.

  “Elôm.” The name hung before him with his frozen breath. “I can’t lose Kyrin. I can’t . . .” Tears left scalding streams down his face. “But… I know she’s in Your hands. You can save her… or You can take her. I don’t know how I’d survive the loss . . .”

  He hunched over, the pain already almost too much to bear. In the midst of it, a question seemed to whisper through his soul, gently but firmly, asking him who was more important to him—Kyrin or Elôm? He choked down a sob that lodged in his throat with the rising flood of pain. How could he answer that question? He shook his head, but after the initial wave of grief, quietness followed, and he straightened up again, swiping away the tears with his gloves. More threatened, but he looked up at the sky.

  “I tried to save Kyrin myself and almost went against everything I believe. I doubted You, Lord, and forgot my faith. I never want to do that again.” A couple more tears made their escape. “Kyrin is Yours. I love her more than anything in this world, but You love her even more. If You want to take her… I know, even if I don’t understand, that it’s best. I couldn’t survive it on my own, but if that’s what You want of me, then I know You’ll give me the strength I don’t have.”

  The grief descended again, and Jace let it course through him, spilling out in his tears and heaving breaths as he surrendered entirely to Elôm’s will.

  After a time, he mastered his emotions, feeling beyond spent, yet possessing a quiet peace he’d needed so desperately.

  Tyra padded up to him, nosed his face, and then started licking away the remnants of his tears. Jace scrubbed his fingers through the fur around her neck.

  “Let’s go back,” he said hoarsely.

  Bracing his hand against the tree, he rose stiffly to his feet, and they trudged back into camp. Jace steeled himself as they entered the Altair cabin. Kaden sat at Kyrin’s bed. Clearly, she had not moved since he’d left. Jace hung up his coat and reclaimed his seat at her side.

  The morning stretched out into afternoon. His elbows propped on the bed and forehead resting against his hands, Jace prayed. He’d let go and accepted the possibility of Kyrin’s death, but it didn’t stop him from pleading for her recovery as well as for the strength he just did not have. He prayed until he thought his heart might break apart with the intensity of his pleas and the emotions within him.

  “Jace.”

  Everything stilled. He sat frozen for the barest second, afraid to hope, and then raised his head. Dusty blue eyes met his. He gasped out a breath and shoved to his feet. “Kyrin!”

  He put his hand to her face as she stared up at him, the barest hint of a smile lifting her lips. He stroked her cheek and then touched her forehead as Kyrin’s brothers crowded around him. The heat of the fever had nearly vanished. She closed her eyes as if savoring his touch, but his heart dropped, wanting to see them open again. They opened a moment later, though she obviously struggled to stay awake. Jace looked over his shoulder at Kaden. “Get some broth.”

  They needed to get food into her while she was still conscious. Kaden rushed to the fireplace where they kept the kettle of broth warm and hurried back with a cup of it. Jace took it from him and lifted Kyrin’s head, putting the cup to her lips.

  “Kyrin, drink as much of this as you can. It will help you feel better.”

  She murmured a quiet syllable, her eyes closed, but she took several swallows of broth before she lost consciousness again. Jace gently let her head rest back. She’d awakened. Though still too early to know for sure if she would recover, hope surged through him. He pressed his fingers hard against his eyes lest the tears break free and whispered, “Thank You, Elôm.”

  * * *

  Trask blinked, struggling to dispel the grogginess from his mind, and let out a small groan. He never wanted to be sick again. He rubbed his face, though his arms felt like they had grain sacks tied to them. The swish of fabric drew his attention, and he dropped his hands from his eyes to reveal the lovely sight of his wife.

  “Hello, beautiful.”

  She laughed lightly, a grin lighting up her previously taut face. “Well, you must be feeling much better.”

  Trask raised his brows. “Define better.”

  She sat down near him on the edge of the bed. “At least you’re in the mood to flirt instead of lying there half dead and scaring me to death.”

  He could see in her face how true that was. Reaching for her hand, he drew her a little closer. “I’m sorry.” He meant it with all his heart. Still, he couldn’t stop a grin from forming. “As soon as I’ve recovered my strength, I’ll make it up to you.”

  Anne shook her head, trying to hide a smile and the bit of a blush that added color to her pale cheeks. “You’re lucky we’re the only ones here.”

  “Really?” He lifted his head to look around the cabin, but even that took extreme effort, and he let it fall back again with a heavy sigh.

  Anne lifted her brow in amusement. “There will be no mischief from you until you’ve had proper time to recover.”

  She knew him too well. “Killjoy.”

  She laughed again, a most delightful sound, and then leaned over to kiss him. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. He’d come far too close to losing such precious moments when they’d barely been married for half a year.

  After a minute or two, Anne pulled away a little and gazed into his eyes. “I can’t tell you how thankful I am that you’re feeling better. We came so close to losing so many.”

  Trask smiled gently at her. Oh, if only he could give her a more stable and quiet life. Someday, he prayed. He brushed his fingers through her hair. “I know you were worried, but I’ll be fine now. You don’t have to worry anymore.”

  Her lips twitched in a quick smile, but something else flashed in her eyes.

  “What is it?”

  She shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

  “Come on, if something is upsetting you, I’d like to know.”

  “It’s hardly worth thinking about compared to what we’ve dealt with for the last couple of weeks.”

  Trask tipped his head a little, questioning her with his eyes. He truly wanted to know.

  She let out a light sigh. “For the last few days, I thought… maybe… I was pregnant. But I guess I’m not.”