Page 20 of Highlander's Wild Lass
“Ah, good lads.”
She blinked, trying to rid herself of the blurriness.
“Are ye sure ye’re feelin’ well?”
She dismissed his question with a wave of her hand, but the sudden movement caused a wave of dizziness. “The only reason they’re keepin’ it clean is because they said ye promised to take them huntin’, is that true? Because ye can’t be makin’ promises ye can’t keep, Anthony Mo—”
“I intend to keep that promise, Celestia. They’re good lads, but with the reports I get from old Gavin about how they love tormentin’ him, I think they’re a bit restless. The monotony of daily chores can grow tiresome.”
“Ye dinnae have to tell me that, I ken the feelin’ well,” Celestia said. “Well, if ye excuse me, I have to get back to the monotony ofmydaily chores.”
She turned away from him, the blurriness in her vision getting worse with each step she took. She bumped into the small wooden table her family often took meals at when the weather was nice and set her basket down on it.
“Celestia!” It sounded like Anthony, but it could’ve been anyone. They sounded so far away.
She was vaguely aware of the voices around her. One sounded like Auralia, the other one like Anthony. She fully expected to be laid out on the grass and dirt, but she wasn’t.
Anthony had her in his arms.
“Hold the door, Auralia,” he said, voice serious.
“What should I do?” Auralia sounded frantic.
“Get some cold water from the stream, she’s burnin’ up,” he said. “Where is her room?”
“It’s the first door on the left!” Auralia shouted just before the door banged closed.
Celestia’s eyes remained closed, too tired to open them, but she felt him moving her through the house, carrying her as easily as a doll. Soon she was being placed gently onto her bed.
“Dinnae worry, lass,” Anthony said in a hushed voice, feeling him press his hand against her forehead. “I’ll take care of ye.”
* * *
Celestia woke up much later as she could hear the crickets chirping in the woods. Auralia was curled up beside her and Anthony was sitting in a rocking chair nearby. There was a bowl of water sitting on the bedside table with a damp cloth hung over the side.
“Ye fainted, lass,” Anthony said, his voice laden with sleepiness. “Ye came to just a few minutes later. But as soon as we came in here, ye fell asleep.”
“Aye, I assumed as much,” she murmured, moving to sit up a bit.
He leaned forward in the chair and rested the back of his hand against her forehead. “Ye’re still warm, ye should go back to sleep.”
She mumbled in agreement. “I’m thirsty. Is there anythin’ to drink?”
He nodded. Anthony reached for the rounded metal pitcher and poured a cup for her. Celestia grabbed the cup gently out of his hand and sipped the room temperature water.
“Ye didnae have to stay, ye ken,” she told him, taking another sip, enjoying how the cool the water felt.
“Who else would have corralled yer wee brothers?” he asked, leaning back in his chair, and wrapping a spare wool blanket tightly around him.
“Auralia could have done it,” she told him, placing the cup on the nightstand. “They listen to her better than they do me.”
Anthony nodded. “She could’ve, but she was worried sick for ye. She has nae left yer side once. Ye gave us a good scare there, faintin’ like ye did.”
“Well, it was nae in my plans for today.”
Anthony chuckled softly. “Aye, lass, I suspect nae. Go back to bed, ye need to sleep this fever off.”
Celestia nodded and turned away from him, settling into the blankets and pillow, careful not to wake Auralia as she did.
