Page 88 of Ashes of Betrayal

And he was hers.

Bree’s eyes grew hot and prickly, as they had earlier that day, and she blinked furiously.

She’d once detested this man, yet now, she couldn’t imagine life without him.

Cailean stirred then, his dark eyelashes fluttering against his cheeks. An instant later, woad-blue eyes fixed upon her.

“What time is it?” he asked drowsily.

“Late … the day is done now. Lara will be crowned tomorrow.”

He groaned. “I’ve slept the afternoon and evening away.”

“Aye, but you needed to.” She paused then before reaching out and skimming her fingertips over the bandage that wound about his torso. “How are you feeling?”

“Better.”

She nodded. “Even so, Eldra insists you rest for the next few days … Torran will look after things until you’re ready.”

He harrumphed. “I’ll go mad just sitting around.”

“No,” she replied firmly. “It’ll do you good.”

Their gazes met then and held before Cailean lifted a hand and caught hers, bringing it to his mouth.

The feel of his lips grazing against her knuckles made Bree’s heart kick.

“There’s much to be done,” he said then. “With the Raven Queen in the north, we must rebuild our armies … our strength. Our people need something to cling to.”

Bree nodded, something deep inside her chest tightening.Our people. Aye, his people were hers now. She’d chosen a side.

Nonetheless, Duncrag was still reeling. After their arrival in the early afternoon, news of their defeat—of the death of so many, of the loss of the north—had rocked the fort to its foundations. But now that night shrouded the world, the turmoil had settled for a short while.

“I wonder when the Raven Queen plans to push south,” Cailean continued, his voice hardening. “And how big her ambitions are.”

Tension knotted under her ribcage. “That concerns me too. To the Shee, Albia is a cold and brutal land … but Mor has tasted victory now. She might wish to bring this entire realm to heel.”

Cailean snorted before wincing. “This ‘cold and brutal land’ is now your home.”

Bree’s lips curved. “Aye … and it has my heart.”

Their gazes met once more, and Cailean’s grip on her hand tightened.

However, as their gazes drew out, the pressure in her chest continued to build. “I want to truly belong here, Cailean,” she said softly.

His brow furrowed, confusion shadowing his blue eyes. “What do you mean?”

“It doesn’t matter how long I live in Duncrag, I’ll always be an outsider … always wary of iron and druidic magic. I’m weaker in the presence of both … something that might hinder my ability to protect Lara in the future.”

Cailean’s features tightened. “Don’t you think I’ve considered that too?” he said roughly. “This situation isn’t ideal, but we’ve already discussed ways to—”

“We have … but there are other things to think about,” she cut him off gently. “If you’re lucky, you’ll have another fifty years.” Bree pulled a face then. “If battle doesn’t take you first, of course. But I’m young for a Shee … I’m destined to go on for thousands of years longer.” Reaching up, she stroked his cheek. “I want to live on the same timeline as you.”

He stilled. “What are you saying?”

Bree sucked in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. She’d pondered this decision and wanted him to know this wasn’t an impulsive choice on her part. “I’m going through the stones at Mid-Winter Fire … to return to you as a Marav woman.”

Cailean tried to sit up then, cursing as the abrupt movement pained him. “What?”

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