'Who's there?'

The whispering continued for a while then fell silent. He waited a moment and just listened. When the whispers didn't start again, he continued. This happened several times during his ride and it confused him. Then on his way back, as he rode through town, voices slurred and became noise. He urged Torta on and hurried back to the castle. In the courtyard everything sounded normal again.

James wondered how Lilly was doing. Leaving Torta at the stable, he returned to Lilly's room. Sitting on the edge of the bed was a young man James hadn't seen before and he had Lilly laughing. She sat in a half reclined position. Her smile got bigger when she saw him and reached out a hand for him. He looked warily at the young man then back to Lilly.

'James, I'd like you to meet Briar. Briar, this is James.'

'Nice to meet you,' Briar said, holding out a hand.

'Likewise,' James replied, shaking it. 'So, where are you from Briar?'

'From the rolling hills. Though I am sad to say Young Duke Tribus pa.s.sed away last night.'

'We expected as much,' Lilly said, looking at her hands.

'Then you would know how he was killed with Adremedian poisons?' he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Lilly nodded then turned to the sun to let the poison colors break across her lips.

'I don't understand,' Briar said.

'I picked up on his illness when he was here at the Celebration yesterday. I would have used my healer's knife, but the disease was progressed enough it would have only delayed his death. Left him more days of pain and torment. He promised me that someone was ready to step into his position and confided in me that to die without pain would be a blessing.'

Briar nodded slowly.

'I told him I knew a way to make that happen. He accepted my offer. We left the celebration and I kissed him to render him unconscious so he would feel nothing while the poisons did their work.'

James turned to the door with a look of confusion on his face as the voices of a few of the servants pa.s.sed the door.

Lilly brushed his cheek and he turned back to look at her. 'Is everything okay?' she asked.

'I...It's nothing.'

Briar excused himself and left.

Lilly waved goodbye as he left then turned back to James. 'Something is troubling you. By the look on your face when you walked in it has bothered you for some time.'

'I said it's nothing, Lilly. Leave it alone!'

'Okay...I'm sorry.'

She s.h.i.+fted her legs until she sat on the edge of the bed. Then she stood and walked to the window.

James left as well. He went down to the courtyard and walked around. He had hoped for some peace and quiet, but it seemed he would never get it since Human voices were becoming blurred and soft whispers had started to mix with them. He shook his head several times to try and clear the noise. Clear the smearing of voices as if he'd had too much to drink. It wasn't until he sat that he felt some pain. The pain soon settled deep in his bones and he felt sick. One of the man servants watched him lean forward and fall to his knees. Wordlessly, he helped James to his feet and took him inside. A doctor was called and he was left to rest. The doctor said he would be fine after some rest. Carthago stayed a moment longer then started to leave.

"Lilly, what's happening to me?" James asked softly.

James felt something s.h.i.+ft in his chest and woke up. Lilly sat on the edge of the bed. 'What's happening to me?' he asked. 'Why is my hearing going funny? Why do voices hurt? Where are the whispers coming from?'

'Those are all Adremedian traits,' she replied. 'The energy from the channel I opened a few years ago is flaking off...and I can't do anything about it.'

'Can you remove it?'

Tears filled her eyes. 'I tired, but...your body won't let it go.'

James let out an audible sigh.

'I'm sorry.'

He reached up and touched her cheek.

"James?" Carthago asked.

"Carthago?"

Lilly started to stand, but James held onto her arm.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing. I'm just sick."

"Then why did you ask what was happening to you?"

"Must have been dreaming." James sat up a little and pulled Lilly close to him.

"When are you two going to tie the knot?"

"As soon as Lilly's better."

Carthago nodded then left the room.

James held her against him a little while longer. Then he kissed her cheek then her neck. His longing for her kiss was unmistakable. She started to pull away. James set a hand on the back of her neck to keep her close. She started to turn her head and he caught her lips. She pushed harder to break away, which only drove James to hold her tighter. He broke their kiss with a groan.

'Lilly...I'm...' He leaned forward and blacked out.

How long he wandered in the dark, he didn't know. His body hurt. His heart hurt more. This was twice now he had drunk deeply of Adremdian poisons. Deeply enough to kill himself. The first time he had wanted to. This time…. He just wanted to be close to her. To have more of her than just embraces. He felt that there was chemistry between them. It was hard to know if Lilly felt it too with how hard she fought to push him away. And now he may have pushed her away by what he'd done.

The pain increased. The darkness didn't change, but he thought he heard Briar's voice say.

'…James is fighting. He may still recover.'

'Lilly?' James cried, hoping he wasn't dreaming. 'Lilly, where are you?'

He felt her take his hand.

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His head turned slightly and opened his eyes.'I...I can't...'

Lilly placed her other hand on his cheek. 'It'll be all right.'

James' other hand moved up her arm to her face. She smiled for him despite the tears that still fell. 'I'm so sorry. I...'

'Briar tells me it will be all right, James. Rest and let your body fight.'

'Okay. I love you.'

'I love you, too.'

She remained beside him as his mind dropped away from the pain.