“You don’t think they’ll stop?”
“Like I said—they’re desperate,” Griffin explained. “Desperation breeds fear, and we can use that to our advantage. Prove Scáilca is not a kingdom to provoke. Intimidation tactics could be useful here, and then we negotiate a new treaty.”
Griffin made it sound easy, but Ronan knew it would be far more complicated.
Clía nodded. “What do we do for now?”
“We continue on. This battle had been the culmination of over a year of planning. We have time before they return. Time to rebuild, and to prepare.”
***
BY THE TIMERONAN FOUND HIS WAY BACK TO HIS ROOM, the sun had set and he was struggling to stay standing. His injured arm was only the beginning of the pain that coursed through him. His limbs pulsed with stabbing fury. All he knew was that he was tired. He was ready for it to stop.
When he opened his door, he was greeted by the sight of Domhnall sitting on his bed.
An angry gash covered his face, deep maroon and held together with stitches. It traveled from his eyebrow to his cheek. The eye itself was covered with gauze secured by a patch.
Any annoyance at the unexpected guest disappeared at the sight of it.
“I know my good looks can be striking, but can we please not stare?” Domhnall quipped.
Ronan wasn’t amused. “Will it heal?”
“They don’t know; I might make a full recovery, or I might lose the eye. They said we’ll have to wait andsee—they didn’t appreciate me pointing out the irony there. But that’s not important. Whatisimportant is that as of today, a war with Tinelann is no longer some absurd hypothetical. It’s begun and peopledied. People we knew. And now I have to go back to the palace and marry Niamh, as if that’s going to fix anything.” Domhnall’s fists were balled in his lap as he fell quiet.
Ronan stepped into the room, unsure what to do. He was a trained warrior, a battle strategist, and an expert on military history. However, when faced with his struggling friend, he was at a loss.
He settled for taking a seat beside him. Domhnall rested his head on Ronan’s shoulder. Ronan wished he could do more, offer answers or words of encouragement. Instead, he sat there.
They sat together for what felt like hours. Ronan’s pain passed into a subdued ache. Not quite gone, but bearable.
Domhnall was the one who broke the silence. “I don’t know what to do now.” He met Ronan’s questioning gaze. “You know, this wasn’t always a part of my plan. Studying at Caisleán. In a way, it’s your fault.”
“Mine?”
“It was always your dream to come here.” The prince shrugged. “To meet Kordislaen. I understood it, that drive and ambition.I had felt it myself. You would have found your way here no matter what—the gods would have made sure of it. I told myself various reasons and explanations to get myself here. All were true, in a way, including securing my betrothal with Niamh—but I also just wanted to be here with you.
“In case you haven’t noticed, you have a tendency to find trouble.Of courseyou get entangled with Clíodhna, the princess of Álainndore, immediately after I call off our betrothal.Of coursethe man you idolize would be a traitor.Of coursewar would come to Caisleán right after you arrive.”
“Are you saying this is my fault?” Ronan smiled, shoving him.
Domhnall pushed right back. “No, as much as I would like to say you’re a magnet for danger, it’s not that. You’re noble. You’regood. You want to help however you can, no matter the cost to yourself. I was never like that—too focused on myself, I guess. I would let Álainndore crumble if it meant Scáilca would be safe. I guess you inspired me. I may not be a selfless man, but I thought there was some part of me that could be redeemable if I could save you from yourself.”
He wouldn’t meet Ronan’s eyes, head bowed and hands fidgeting.
Domhnall truly believed that. That he was beyond redemption, that prioritizing his kingdom above all else was some unforgiveable, selfish act.
“Well, I’m alive. It looks like you succeeded.”
Domhnall lifted his head. “You made it difficult.”
“So did you,” Ronan retorted.
Domhnall had made mistakes. He had hurt people. But he was still Domhnall, and Ronan would not abandon him.
“What’s next?” he asked.
“Niamh and I return to Suanriogh as soon as everything is settled here. There, we prepare for the wedding and war.” Domhnall sighed.
