Neverwylde (The Rim of the World Book 3) by Linda Mooney

went through her when she realized he wasn’t cognizant of her presence. “It’s me, Kyber. Kelen.”
                He remained lying sprawled on the ground with his head in her lap. She tried to shine the tube light over her, but he didn’t respond. She started to fear the fever had taken his eyesight, as well as his sanity.
                “Kyber?”
                “K-Kelen?” His hand fumbled for the water bag. Rather than give it to him, she continued to hold onto it and helped guide it to his lips. He took another swallow and sighed. “Kelen?” he asked again, this time a little louder.
                She laid the tube weapon beside her and quickly shushed him. “We’re in some sort of tunnel. Fullgrath’s gone to get help so we can get you back to the apartments.”
                He tried to rise, but she pressed down on his chest and shoulder to prevent him from getting to his feet. “No, Kyber. You’re not strong enough. Stay here. I’ll protect you while we wait.”
                With a groan, Kyber allowed her to rest his head on her thigh. She saw him close his eyes and his breathing slowed. She thought he was falling asleep, when he spoke.
                “There are monsters in these tunnels.”
                “I know. I’m armed. Help is coming soon.”
                “The monsters took me. They bound my arms and legs, but they let me go. I don’t know why they let me go.”
                “They’re gone now,” she assured him. “I’m here, and I won’t let them take you again.” She ran a hand through the sweat-soaked fur covering his forehead. “You need to rest. Fullgrath and the others should be back soon.” I hope. She had no idea how long the weapons master had been gone, but it seemed to be an extraordinarily long time. “How do you feel?”
                “My body aches. My head aches. I feel dizzy. I am on fire.”
                “It’s the fever. You’re putting out an incredible amount of heat.” She stroked his face. “You’re sweating out a lot of water.”
                At the mention of water, he reached for the water bag again. She guided it to his lips.
                “How did you know I wasn’t a monster?” she murmured.
                “I smelled you.”
                The vision of him attacking her remained in the front of her mind. In his muddled madness, she could see now how he’d mistaken her for an enemy. She also realized that if he hadn’t been so weak, he could have seriously injured her.
                Her stomach clenched. It was another sign that hours had passed. She tried to reach for her food pouch, but it was underneath Kyber’s head. He realized she was struggling with something.
                “What is wrong?”
                “Nothing. My food pouch is caught beneath your head. Hold on.”
                “Here.” He fumbled for his own pouch, but his fingers couldn’t manipulate the ties. Kelen leaned over to undo it. Opening it, she pulled out a blue pancake and for a moment, she froze. Carefully, she placed it on her tongue, but she didn’t bite or eat any of it. The pancake smelled rotten, and the taste was acidic.
                “Kyber, where did you get this?”
                “In our apartment before we left.”
                There was a sinking in her gut as a possibility raised its ugly head. “How many of these have you eaten?”
                “Two.” He adjusted his position slightly. “They do not taste good, for some reason.”
                “Oh, dear God.” She threw it away from them.
                He must have recognized the tone of her voice. His face turned in her direction. “What is wrong?”
                “Sandow told us not to eat any