Page 126 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

Gordon straightened, and his eyes swept the hall. Servants, guards, and even the musicians were all asleep.

His pulse quickened, and his breath snagged in his throat as he realized Ailis might be in danger as well.

He turned and ran toward her chamber without a moment’s pause.

Gordon reached her chamber and threw the door open. It was empty; the bed was untouched, and her cloak was nowhere in sight. A knot formed beneath his ribs as dread coiled low in his gut.

Cold turned him inside out as he backed out of her chamber and rushed to the adjoining one belonging to Lileas. That was empty too.

His next stop was Marion’s chamber, and he prayed to the heavens he would find Ailis in there. Instead, his aunt and Lileas sat with Brochan, and the moment the door burst open, Marion turned to the doorway.

“Thank goodness, ye are awake,” Gordon breathed out as he rushed to her. “Have ye seen, Ailis?”

Marion shook her head, and he hurried out of her chamber before she said anything else.

He searched the corridors, calling her name despite knowing there would be no answer. “Ailis!”

His voice echoed through the sleeping keep.

Panic began tearing through him. He rushed toward Rowan’s chambers and struck the door with his fist.

“Rowan!”

Laughter came from inside, and relief flooded Gordon because it meant Rowan was awake in there.

He rammed his fist into the door again, then it opened, and Sorcha stood there, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

“Gordon?”

He lowered his head briefly. “Forgive me. It is urgent. I must speak with Rowan.”

She stepped aside immediately. “Is somethin’ wrong?”

Rowan was at the door in the next second. “What happened?” he questioned, concern etched into his features as he stared at Gordon.

Gordon stared at him. “Ye are awake while the entire castle sleeps. What did ye drink at the feast tonight?”

Rowan’s frown deepened. “Whisky,” he responded then looked at his wife, Sorcha. “Sorcha and I decided to retire early. I daenae usually drink much ale.”

“That is what has saved ye,” Gordon breathed out as his chest tightened even more from the realization sinking into him.

“What is happenin’?” Sorcha asked.

“I daenae ken. I cannae find Ailis, and the guards… It seems they have been poisoned and made to sleep.”

He heard footsteps then and turned to see Malcolm rushing toward them.

“Me Laird,” Malcolm greeted and bowed. “I just got back from the village, and the entire castle is… What has happened here?”

Gordon took them to find Callan in his chambers first then they all went to the grand hall and pushed the door open.

Malcolm looked toward the nearest guard and asked, “Ye think someone poisoned them?”

“Aye. Whatever was put in their drink was meant to make them sleep.”

Malcolm’s expression hardened.

“Who?”