She left Carice’s bedchamber and went down the stairs. A servant was about to take a tray of dried apples and meat to the chieftain, but she intercepted the man. “I’m going to bring these to the Lady Carice,” she said, as she took a handful of the apples and a capon wing. The meat and fruit might provide more nourishment.
Once she returned to the chamber, she found Carice standing in her shift, clutching the bedpost for balance.
“Let me help you dress,” Taryn said, setting down the food she’d brought. Carice was painfully thin, her bones outlined against her skin. “Eat this,” she ordered, handing her a piece of dried apple. “I had some, and it was good.”
“I’m only supposed to eat bread,” Carice said. But even so, she accepted the apple slice.
Taryn helped her pull a crimson gown over her head, pulling the laces tight. “And who told you that?”
“Our healer. He said that bread was bland enough that it would not make my stomach hurt so much.”
Though she knew it was none of her affair, Taryn worried about Carice. The young woman wasn’t eating nearly enough to be well. She handed her the capon wing and asked, “How long have you been ill?”
“Only during the past two years,” she admitted. “It’s been getting worse.”
And while it was probable that this was only a wasting sickness, Taryn knew that a chieftain’s daughter could easily be a target of his enemies. “You don’t think the healer was trying to harm you by having you eat so little, do you?”
Carice turned to face her, shaking her head. “No. Food was never denied to me, but he thought it might go easier for me if I ate only bread.”
Taryn hesitated a moment, holding back her uncertainties. “I hope you’ll feel better soon.”
“I wish I could,” Carice said quietly. She broke off a piece of meat and ate it slowly, as if she did not believe it was possible to eat without feeling pain. In her eyes was the quiet resignation of a woman who had already accepted the promise of death.
While she ate, Taryn picked up a comb and began pulling it through the young woman’s long brown hair. Carice had bound it back, but the curls were tangled, her hair almost brittle.
Taryn tried to form a loose plait, gently weaving the strands and trying not to pull her hair too hard. When it was done, she tied it off with a bit of ribbon. Carice turned around, and her hollowed eyes held a sudden strength that Taryn hadn’t expected. Despite her thinness, her deep brown hair framed the face of an angel. There was no question which of them was the more beautiful woman.
And yet, in that moment, Taryn suspected that Carice would trade places with her in a moment. This woman’s days were numbered, and she knew it all too well.
“We will walk below stairs now, and you will help me to the litter. I think I can make it that far.” She reached out to take Taryn’s arm.
Taryn kept her steps slow, to make it easier for the woman. Though Carice had to lean heavily upon her, she’d lost so much weight, it was easy for Taryn to assist her. “Tell me if you need me to stop.”
When they reached the doorway, Carice squeezed her hand. “Wait a moment.” She steadied herself and added, “You were the answer to a prayer, Taryn. Despite what happens to me after this, I thank you for keeping me from this marriage.”
“I have to save my father’s life. No one else will fight for him.” She squeezed the woman’s hand in return. “You would do the same for Killian, wouldn’t you?”
At that, Carice smiled. “He’s stubborn, proud, and hot-tempered. And though we are not of the same blood, he will always be my brother.” Her gaze turned curious a moment. “You like him, don’t you?”
Blood rushed to her cheeks. “I don’t even know him. And every time I’ve spoken to him, he’s snapped at me.”
And touched you, her body reminded her.Which you liked very much.
“He’s fiercely loyal, Killian is. The sort of man who would lay down his life for you.” Carice started walking again and added, “But he’s been cast off by so many people, his heart seems made of stone. He lets no one love him, except me. And that is why I am so protective of him. My parents could never have another child—my mother miscarried several times. He’s the only brother I’ll ever have.”
She softened her tone and added, “I know that you will have to wed a nobleman, just as I must. But as Killian’s sister, I’ll warn you that I will claw the eyes out of any woman who hurts him.” Though she spoke in teasing, undoubtedly the words were true.
“You’ve nothing to fear from me,” Taryn answered, indicating her scars with a wry smile. She knew there was no danger of anything more than companionship between them. “Killian is going to accompany us to Tara.” She dropped her voice into a low whisper. “At least until you are taken away by the MacEgans. We sent my guard to them, just this morning, to deliver the message.”
Carice nodded her approval. “I am glad to hear it. But how did you talk Brodie into allowing Killian to come with us? My father rarely listens to my wishes.”
Taryn felt her face turn crimson. “I, ah, lied to him.”
“In what way?”
She didn’t want to admit the truth, so she hedged, “I told him that you wanted Killian to travel with us.”
At that, Carice stopped short. “You must truly believe me to be a fool. I know, full well, that Brodie cannot stand Killian’s presence. What was the real reason he agreed?”
