“Gwen’s in Mother’s chamber,” he told her. “I think she’s dying, Anna.”

Wanting Anna to help his mother as soon as possible, Greylen saw to the servants himself. Then he called for his men.

He placed his personal guards by the entrance doors, Kevin and Hugh outside, and Duncan within. Ian and Connell stood just beyond his mother’s chamber, and Gavin all but tore his mother’s door from the frame as he stormed inside.

Greylen was only a step behind him as they entered. Their first sight was his mother and Anna forcing a liquid down Gwen’s throat. In her current state, she could barely push them away. Gavin went right to the bed, taking in the color of Gwen’s skin, and opened each of her lids as he inspected her eyes. Greylen glanced up to Gavin, who then shook his head and said in a whisper, “She’s wasted away before our eyes, and we’ve not been the wiser.”

“Greylen, carry her to the tub,” his mother ordered, not commenting on Gavin’s admission.

Greylen did more than carry his wife. He climbed in with her, holding her as Anna and his mother gently scrubbed the blood from her body. Tears leaked from his eyes as he held her, knowing if she died from his negligence, he’d beg Gavin for his death.

He heard sheets being torn from the bed and looked over. Gavin was ripping the soiled coverings and wadding them before throwing them to the floor. He left the room, and Greylen had no doubt where ’twas that he went. Gavin’s anger and fear were as close to his own. They would both carry the blame.

When Gwen was washed, Greylen lifted her from the tub while the women swaddled her in a towel.

“Her bleeding should stop for now, Greylen. The babe was so new—”

“I care not about the babe, Mother. ’Tis my wife for whom I fear.”

“I gave her a strong dose of elixir. With luck, it should reverse the damage of what she’s been ingesting.” She pulled the covers around Gwendolyn after he laid her in bed. Then he sat next to her, stroking her forehead.

“How long, Mother?” he asked, looking only at his wife.

“Seven days, mayhap longer,” she said and shook her head.

“I’ll return as soon as possible. Call for me if she awakens.”

Just as he’d suspected, he found Gavin within his chamber, tearing the sheets from their bed.

“’Tis poison,” Gavin spat, anger causing his entire body to shake.

“I know,” Greylen answered. “Tighten our patrols and account for each of our men’s actions over the past two weeks.”

As they headed for the door, Gavin said, “I won’t be far behind. Where?”

“The well,” Greylen called, taking the stairs.