Page 43 of Ashes of Betrayal

Silence swelled in the lean-to, broken only by the crackling of the fire. And as Cailean drained the last of his wine, he couldn’t bear it any longer. “Sometimes it helps to share heavy thoughts.”

Bree blinked and glanced his way. Her lips then curved into a tight smile. “Trust me, you don’t want to hear these. They’re just full of self-loathing and defeatism.”

He snorted. “That doesn’t sound like you.”

She cut her gaze away. “No,” she replied, her voice catching slightly. “I admit, I don’t feel like myself tonight.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Did meeting Flynn again rattle you that much?” He really shouldn’t be asking so many questions. However, he couldn’t help himself.

“Maybe.” Her gaze fixed upon the dancing flames once more. “He was a reminder … that it doesn’t matter how far or fast I flee, I can’t outrun myself … or the life I’ve led.”

“Is that what you’re doing … running?”

She swallowed. “Maybe.” Silence fell, and then Bree lifted her chin, her gaze settling upon him. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have come looking for you.” The pain in her eyes made his chest involuntarily tighten. “I’m not usually someone to linger where I’m not wanted.”

He stared back at her. He couldn’t deny her words, especially after what he’d said to her earlier. Suddenly though, he wished he hadn’t been so blunt about it. He could be a callous prick at times.

Bree dragged a hand down her face, exhaustion rippling over her features. “I left Sheehallion, following a mad impulse … believing that I could make a fresh start,” she admitted softly. “But I can’t.”

“Why not?” he asked cautiously. They were straying into dangerous waters now, yet he couldn’t help but push things further.

“Because some people don’t deserve a second chance.”

He frowned. The fatalism in her voice unnerved him. “Do you really believe that?”

She nodded. “I’ve slain so many. Each mark was just a job to me. The first few turned my stomach, although it didn’t take long before I felt nothing.”

He nodded. “It was like that for me too. When I began serving the High King and was bidden to hunt and kill those who’d never done me any wrong, I thought I wouldn’t get used to it … but I did.”

Their gazes held then before Bree grimaced. “And that’s the problem, isn’t it? When death leaves you unmoved. You should always feelsomethingwhen you take a life.”

He didn’t reply, even if uneasiness shifted deep in his chest. This wasn’t a subject he enjoyed discussing, especially since thoughts of reckoning dogged his every waking moment these days.

“You’re no longer the Raven Queen’s assassin,” he said after a heavy pause. “You can be whoever you choose now.”

“Can I?” Pulling a face, she turned back to the fire, avoiding his eye. She paused then and lifted the cup she still clutched to her lips, draining it. “That need not concern you though … I shall let you go on your way tomorrow. I’ve pushed myself on you long enough.”

Cailean stiffened, a chill washing over him, even as he kicked himself. Wasn’t this what he wanted? “Where will you go?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

His pulse quickened. Aye, it did. Rolling out of his sleeping nook, he set his empty cup aside and approached the hearth,pulling the second stool around and lowering himself onto it so he was facing Bree.

Surprised by his move, she straightened, her expression wary.

“You can’t just give up,” he said firmly. “It isn’t in your nature.”

Her lips lifted at the corners, although her golden eyes remained bleak. “I’m not like you, Cailean. You’ve got a purpose … even if it’s a blood-thirsty one.”

“Well,findyourself a reason to live then,” he countered, trying to ignore the ache in his throat. The Hag’s nails, he couldn’t stand seeing her like this. He wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake her until fire ignited in her eyes once more. “You’ve burned your old life to the ground … rise from the ashes, for fuck’s sake.”

Her gaze snapped wide at his vehemence, and her breathing grew shallow.

They stared at each other for a few heartbeats, and then something inside Cailean gave way.

He leaned in, captured her face in his hands, and kissed her.

Bree gasped, her lips parting under his, and his tongue swept in, devouring her.

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