Valtare walked through the hallways, finding it hard to tear his gaze away from Serena as he carried her. The sight of her so weak, it cut him to the bone, but at the same time he couldn't help himself by getting distracted by her in his arms, her scent. He wanted to hold her close and never let her go, his heartbeat strong and aching with pain for the person he cared for most in the world, and seeing her in this state. Damn it, if only he hadn't been so blind, he could have seen this, could have prevented it. He mentally whipped himself for his failure as he arrived back at the study.

Stepping inside, he walked over and carefully laid Serena down, her head resting on the armrest while propped up by a pillow. he could hardly move from her side, and his heart leapt as she stirred away. "Shhh, stay there," he replied, gently, but firmly, keeping her from rising. "You fainted from overwork. I brought you back up here."

He frowned, sad and angry and a whole jumble of emotions threatening to spill forth. "Serena, if there's something wrong you know you can tell me right? If something's the matter, then as your friend I want to know about it."