The moment Selena collapsed, the room seemed to move in a blur of instinct.
Ronan reacted first. His arms came up around her shoulders, pulling her firmly against his chest as though sheer force of will could keep her conscious.
"Selena," he muttered again, his voice rough with worry.
Her head lolled slightly against him. Her breathing remained shallow, but at least it was steady.
Across the room, Edris rose quickly from his seat. The calm composure he normally carried had returned to his face, but the tension in his posture betrayed the urgency beneath it.
"We take her to the healer," he said.
Kael nodded immediately.
Ronan didn't argue. He adjusted his hold on Selena, lifting her more securely into his arms before rising to his feet.
The moment he stood, "Something about her weight felt wrong.
She felt too still.
Too limp.
Kael moved swiftly to Ronan's side, slipping one arm beneath Selena's legs to help support her while Ronan carried most of her weight.
