Chapter 2 #2
"This is me brother, Mason," Killian introduced without batting an eye in Leah's direction. "He's been ill all his life. Isnae that right, braither?"
There was malice and frustration seeping from the laird's tone that pricked Leah. She couldn't tell if the laird was more irritated due to the inability to help his brother or because he had cared for the man for so long and was tired of doing it.
"Mason, me name is Leah, Leah Henderson. I was a healer for the O'Malley clan. Do ye mind if I take a look at ye?" Leah asked as she moved carefully and with purpose to the edge of the bed.
"Relax, Alan," Mason chuckled. "I daenae think she's come to kill me."
"Why would ye think that?" Killian asked as Leah noticed his hands balling into tight fists. Mason flashed Killian a deathly glare. Clearly, the two were engaged in an unspoken war that Mason was destined to win. "Never mind. Ye do what ye will. If ye daenae want her to look over ye, fine."
"If she is a true healer," Alan chimed in. Leah couldn't help but notice the man's peppered gray hair and hooked nose. He looked like a wise old sage with his white whiskers and friendly smile. "Then let her look. The more hands on the problem, the quicker we'll find a solution."
"Alan is one of twenty council members," Killian said as he leaned over Leah’s shoulder, his hot breath caressing her neck. A tingle of pleasure raced up Leah’s spine as Killian moved around her as if he were a fierce, protective wolf.
"If ye havenae noticed. He speaks with a silver tongue to appease all sides. "
"What can I say? It's a gift that has allowed me to live as long as I have," Alan chuckled as Leah took a weary step closer to Mason. She dared to steal a glimpse at Killian as if ensuring that she was allowed to continue. With Killian’s eyes boring into her, Leah wondered how she was able to move at all.
He enchanted her, stole her attention and her wits.
"Pay nay mind to me brother," Mason mumbled, pulling Leah out of the daze Killian had ensnared her with. Mason’s voice was raspy and weak.
By the pale color on his cheeks that held just a whisper of a blush, Leah was certain Mason was suffering from some sort of an infection.
But what kind, she wasn't sure. It wasn't like she'd be able to figure it out just with a once over.
"Well?" Killian snapped as he folded his arms over his chest. She glanced up at him, feeling the intensity of his gaze as if he had harnessed the power of the sun. "Do ye ken what's wrong with him?"
"Forgive me, but I'm goin' to need more than just a moment to figure that out. I can tell he needs more garlic and sunlight. His skin and eyes are too yellow. Ye'll need to get him outside more."
"Out of the question," Killian barked. His rejection shot through Leah like an arrow through its target.
"I'm nae as fragile as ye think I am brother. I can get more sunlight if that will help."
"Sunlight and food? That is yer remedy? Any fool on the moors could have given me that answer."
"The garlic will help clear out the cough lingering in yer brother's chest. As for what else is botherin' him, I'd need to examine him further," Leah countered, trying to keep her tone neutral.
Killian's fierceness to protect his brother only exposed just how hurt and worried he was for his brother.
"Do what ye can," Killian said, stepping away from the bed as if to give her full command of the room and situation.
Leah pulled in a long, deep breath as she gave Mason her full attention.
"How is yer chest? Is it tight? Or does it feel like ye're breathin' fire?" Leah asked as she leaned closer, pressing her ear to his chest.
"Please, ye cannae stay here. Forget about me and leave as soon as ye can. Trust me, ye daenae want to be here," Mason whispered. His voice was so low that Leah doubted anyone else in the room could hear him.
"I leave in the mornin'," Leah answered as she checked around Mason's ears and neck for any boils or sores. Relief flickered in his eyes, but the urgency and warning in his tone lingered like smoke.
"Good. Ye must save yerself."
"Well?" Killian asked. His voice had dropped and was like silk to the ear. Leah closed her eyes, savoring the sound of his seductive tone as it taunted her. She glanced over her shoulder at him, daring to find his gaze. His eyes were deep with sparks of intrigue skipping on the edges of her mind. How did he hold such power over her? She’d been in O’Malley’s service after all, and yet here was a man who stripped her to her core with a mere glance.
"Give the lass a moment, what do ye think she is?
An angel with the powers to miraculously heal?
" Alan chimed in. His kind words made Leah blush as a smile tugged on her lips.
She tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
Embarrassment flushed through her like a flood ripping down the canyon.
If only they knew what was really going on inside the darkest recesses of her mind.
"I can tell that Mason needs herbal tea to sooth his throat, more garlic and rosemary in his food to help counter the congestion. Sunlight will help him improve significantly. Even if it's openin' the curtain and lettin' fresh air into the room."
Killian stared at her as she gave her report, his stoic expression never once failing as he dropped his arms to his side.
"I've got to say that ye've given him more of a diagnosis than anyone else has," Alan said with a hint of pride ringing in his voice. "For that, surely the lass deserves some boon for her troubles."
"Thank ye, truly, but ye daenae have to give me anythin'," Leah said. "Ye're already providin' me with a place to lay me head tonight, which is more than kind of ye."
"Nonsense," Killian said. "The councilman is right as usual. Ye rendered services to me brother, and for that ye shall be paid. Follow me."
Leah glanced over her shoulder to Mason. The warning on his lips was like an alarm to her heart. She swallowed hard as she tried to make out what he was trying to convey.
"Leave as soon as ye can," Mason mouthed as Killian escorted her from the room.
"With a bit more time, I'm sure I could figure out how to help yer brother more."
"Ye've done enough."
Killian's tone was coarse and stern as he charged down the hallway. The castle was like a maze as they made one turn after another until Leah found herself standing before a mighty oak desk in the middle of the study.
"Here," Killian said, reaching into one of the drawers and pulling out a hefty bag. The coins jingled as she caught it. "For yer services."
The weight surprised her. She whipped her head up, surprised by the laird's generosity.
"This is too much," Leah said, offering to give him back some of the coins.
"Who is to say it is too much? Ye've done more than any healer. Most walk into the room and tell me me brother is on death's door. Ye walk in and give me practical solutions. Why should I nae pay ye for yer work?"
Leah clutched the purse, feeling more than grateful. The money would help her start a new life and while her day may have started off horrifically, it had drastically improved in the blink of an eye.
"It's late," Killian said as he extinguished the candles around the study with a single touch. "Ye should rest."
"Thank ye," Leah whispered. Her words lingered in the air like a secret. She found herself drawn to him as the room faded into darkness. Killian didn't speak as Leah reached for his hand.
A gasp escaped from her as her fingers brushed over unfamiliar bumps riddling the palm of Killian's hand. She snatched his palm and studied it as if it held the secrets to the universe.
Her questions lingered in the silence as her eyes met his.
"The things we survive," Killian whispered as a dark smile curled his lip.
It was his crooked smirk that chilled her to the bone.
Her pulse raced as an awareness flooded her senses.
She pulled back, suddenly self-conscious, and felt as if she were trapped in a room with a black bear recently woken by spring.
"Thank ye, Laird MacMillan for yer hospitality," Leah said with a quick bow. "I should go and prepare for me trip."
Leah stood before him, eagerly waiting to be dismissed. Killian didn't say a word but waved his hand, giving her permission to leave. Turning on her heels, Leah rushed for the door as Mason's warning rang in her heart.
Leave as soon as ye can.