The third day dawned with a heavy, oppressive air. Within Finlay’s chambers, Moira lay curled on his bed, her body trembling with pain. Her skin, usually luminous and glowing, had taken on a pallor that unsettled anyone who saw her. Her golden eyes were dull, clouded with hunger and anguish, and the sharp angles of her face looked more severe in her weakened state.Finlay sat at her bedside, his broad hand resting lightly on her arm, unsure of how to comfort her. “Moira, lass, what’s happenin’ tae ye? Ye were fine last night.” His voice was low, filled with worry, but Moira didn’t respond.Her breaths came in shallow gasps, and she refused the broth and bread he had brought for her. The smell of food turned her stomach, and her only solace was closing her eyes and pretending the world beyond her pain didn’t exist.“Finlay,” one of the clanswomen called softly from the door, breaking him from his thoughts. “The laird needs ye doon at the hall. There’s a meetin’ with the other lairds.”
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