When Theodore tracked down Lillian, she was perched on a stone bench outside the healer's hut, drying herbs in the sun. Golden rays filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled light across her face, so pale it was almost translucent. She'd lost a lot of weight—her once-sparkling eyes now dull, her fingertips tinged an unhealthy bluish-white.
Theodore's heart clenched hard, a dark premonition clawing at him. He hurried forward, voice shaky. "Lillian… what's wrong?"
Lillian's head snapped up. The moment she recognized him, her expression iced over. "You again? Why are you back?"
"I…" Theodore's throat bobbed. He reached out to steady her, but she jerked away. "I just wanted to check on you…"
"Seen enough?" Lillian braced herself against the stone table and stood, her voice f
