She moved her head a fraction of an inch and frowned with her eyes closed.
"Are you ready?"
"Aye," she whispered. "If I must."
He helped her sit up, her small frame even lighter than it had been. She hadn't eaten in days.
"Ow." She ground her teeth.
The knowledge that his actions were causing her pain gutted him. "I'm sorry,mo chridhe,but you must drink the tea."
"Just a few sips, m'lady, and you will feel better," Deidra urged. "Can you drink some so the handsome lad holding you will smile?"
Colin grinned, watching as Kristina swallowed several sips of the tea.
"All right," Deidra said. "That should help the pain go away soon."
Colin lowered her gently to the pillow.
"I'll return in a few minutes." Deidra set the cup down, then left the room.
Returning to the front of the bed, Colin sat on the chair and watched Kristina. Her eyes were open, but she was not looking at him. Dread prickled at the back of his mind.
"Kristina?"
"Aye?" Even then, she did not look at him.
He frowned. "Can you see?"
Tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. "Nay."
