"Drink, my love," Kuai Liang urged, gently bringing the cup to his spouse's lips. He had tried to get his beloved to eat, but that had proven a challenge, and so water would have to suffice. "Just a few sips." A groan was all he received in response, and he frowned, his brown eyes full of worry. "I know it is not ideal, but it will make you feel better."

His spouse looked miserable, hair tangled and clinging to ashen skin, eyes red-rimmed, nose and cheeks flushed from fever. Gingerly, he brushed the damp locks aside, pressing his cool palm to his beloved's forehead, feeling the burning hot skin underneath. He felt a pang in his chest, wishing there was more he could do.

After the latest attack from the Lin Kuei, his spouse and their chіld had fallen conspicuously ill. Whatever malady afflicted them had somehow missed every other member of the Shirai Ryu; he couldn't help but think it had to be poison. Bi-Han had already taken his first fiancée from him, and now his older brother had not only come once more for the one he loved, but targeted his chіld too. Kuai Liang knew his brother's heart had turned cold, but he hadn't realized just how far that darkness had spread, how truly ruthless the man he'd once respected had become.

The chіld's condition was, miraculously, milder, though still quite serious; every last healer in the clan was tending to the infant. His spouse, meanwhile, grew weaker by the hour, and he wasn't sure what to do other than offer what scant comfort he could, and hope that it was enough.

He closed his eyes and leaned forward, placing a soft kiss on the lips that had once brought him such joy. "Please, rest," he whispered. "Rest, and grow strong. You and our chіld will recover, and then I will make things right. I will avenge you both. I will put an end to this madness, I swear it." He could only hope it wasn't an empty promise.