As she sailed out of the door, she adjusted her wings to combat the slight breeze and pivoted around to the spot where Alana had disappeared from her view.
Oh by the stars.
***
That pain stabbed at Morgann and he watched in horror as her feet gave way and she slid sideways down the wall, her skirts catching on the rough stone as she slipped. At the last moment, he dropped to his knees and hooked a hand under her head, barely preventing her from hitting the ground. She crumpled completely, hands limp by her side, eyes shut. Nausea burned his throat as he tucked her into his hold and studied her ashen complexion. Already pale skin looked deathly white and as he followed the line of her throat, he realised her breaths were shallow. Too shallow.
"Hell's teeth!" he shouted.
Finn and several other men had gathered around and Morgann glanced over at his friend. "Where is that damned witch?" Rage made his voice shake. "Get me Margot."
"Morgann..." Finn placed a hand to his shoulder.
Morgann shucked the hand away and stood, cradling Alana carefully. "Just get her," he pressed through his teeth.
"Aye, laird. But ye cannae accuse her of witchery. Alana may just be suffering from a malady."
Swallowing unsteadily, Morgann skimmed his gaze over her still features. "'Tis no malady. 'Tis poison. I know it."
With a sigh, Finn stepped aside to let him past. "I'll send for the healer."
Morgann didn't even acknowledge his words. He was too intent on getting Alana to his room. Servants stared as he carried her in through the hall but Margot was nowhere to be seen. He bit back a snarl of frustration. Damnation, this was all his fault. He had been aware he was putting Alana in danger by bringing her here. She was the one person who could reveal Margot for what she was and there was no way Margot would allow her to be used to force the truth from Laird Dougall's lips.
Kicking the door to his chambers open, he eased her onto the bed. She made no sound, her breaths barely audible even when he placed his ear near her lips. He brushed a finger down her nose and lips, soft flesh now cool. Ach, to think he'd been kissing those beautiful lips not long ago and they had been so full of heat and life. What he would not give to have her awake, shouting at him for capturing her, demanding to be released.
He sat beside her and twined his fingers with her limp ones. Morgann brought the back of her hand to his mouth and his chest ached as he skimmed his mouth over her clammy skin. He almost expected her eyes to spring open and for her to smack him around the face for kissing her but she remained motionless.
"Alana," he tried, his voice scratchy. "Wake up, m'eudail. Pray, wake up." His eyes felt hot and he clenched a fist. Damn that Margot to hell. And damn him for not taking steps to protect Alana. If she died...
If she died it changed everything. If she lived it changed everything too.
The realisation of how important she was to him flooded through him, making his heart thud erratically. Alana had always been part of his life and even in the eight years they'd been separated, she remained in his thoughts. Seeing her once more... Well, the attraction was undeniably powerful. But he also realised how much he missed that lass he'd shared everything with.
Almost everything.
He never told her that he expected to marry her one day.
A hard knot formed in his throat as he swept his lips over her hand again and again. How could he let her go again? If he returned her to her father, he would never see her again.
If she lived.
"Forgive me, m'eudail, I shouldnae have been so blind. Yer more important than revenge. More important than the clan even. Wake up so I dinnae have to let ye go."
The door creaked but Morgann couldn't drag his gaze away from Alana. Heavy footsteps came up behind him.
"Margot's gone.”
Jaw tight, Morgann swivelled his head around, fixing his glare on Finn. "Ach, damn that witch to hell.”
"If she wasn’t guilty, then she’s certainly made herself look it.”
“She poisoned Alana, Finn. I know it. She couldnae afford for the truth to come out and Father would never believe me without proof. Alana was supposed to bring me that proof. I should never have put her in danger.”
“Ye did what ye needed to do.”
“I should have found another way. Should have gone against my father and had Margot banished anyway.”
“If Margot has done everything ye say she’s done, then she’ll no’ be driven away so easily.”
“I dinnae know all Margot’s plans but she’s determined to see my father and the clan destroyed.”
Finn sighed and glanced over at Alana, scrubbing a hand across his chin. “The healer is on her way. She’s gathering up some herbs. I’ll start the search for Margot. She cannae have got far.”