She rolled to her side to find Tor was already up and about. “Ill?” the countess asked peeling open her eyes. “Yes, my lady. She’s very hot and her face is pale.” “Very well, get my robe and bring me some tea. I will see what’s wrong with this girl.” “One other thing, my lady.” “What?” the countess asked agitated as she sat up in bed. “What is it?” “The other one, the one named Crimson, she is not in her quarters.” The countess’s jaw tightened. She mumbled, “He had not better be…” as she looked at the empty spot where her husband should be. “Shall I instruct the guards to begin a search?” the caretaker asked. “No!” the countess barked, “No! Don’t do a thing! I will find my husband and I’m sure I will find Crimson, too. Tend to the sick girl. I will check on her later.” “Yes, my lady.” The countess pulled her robe roughly onto her shoulders and cinched it across her mid-section. She stomped out of her bedroom and made her way to Darya’s room.
