Lila
The fever came like a tide, creeping in slowly until I was drowning.
I gripped the edge of the table until my knuckles whitened, pretending I was steady, pretending I could hold myself upright without help. But by midday, sweat soaked my skin, chilling me even while I felt like I was burning up inside.
I hated the way my body betrayed me. I hated the weakness dragged me down, the reminder that I was fading away more each day.
“Sit down before you collapse. Please.”
Ronan’s voice cut through the haze. I hadn’t even realized I was swaying again until his hand steadied my elbow. He guided me to the cot like I weighed nothing, setting me down before I could snap that I didn’t need him.
“I can walk on my own,” I muttered, though my knees shook when they I the thin mattress.
“You co
