"I ken," Eoin assured her. He pulled her into another embrace, and they held each other quietly. There would be time in the future for more, for kisses and touches and declarations. But before any of that, they needed to truly find themselves.
And for the first time, content in Eoin's arms, sure that he would take things as quickly or as slowly as she pleased, Breana felt like she could do it. They would have a lot of work before they reached the point where they could feel truly proud of everything once again…but until that day, from now on, they'd always have each other to lean on.
For now, that was enough. It was more than enough. Breana had never been happier.
The feasting and celebration that filled and surrounded Bruce Castle that night was greater than any that had ever graced its halls in living memory. A bonfire burned in the courtyard, and dancers swayed around it, bouncing and bobbing in time with the cheery flames. Music echoed into the night, meeting with the twirling winds of the Highlands in a happy, jaunty song, and refugees, villagers, and residents of the castle alike mingled and celebrated and allowed themselves to relax into the joy of the atmosphere around them.
Maeve drank it all in, half-delirious in her own happiness. She had barely left Cailean's side since the escape, her hand constantly drifting to find his as they moved through the crowd and greeted and laughed with everyone. She noticed Breana and Eoin remaining close together at the side, drinking and talking quietly, and that made her heart fuller than ever.
She had come so close to losing everything. Cailean had almost been taken from her forever, but instead, thanks to her own actions and the bravery of her friends and her sister, they all stood together once more. In fact, the rebellion was now stronger than ever. Hope pulsed through her with every beat of her heart, and caught up in the atmosphere, Maeve could hardlyimagine how things could become more perfect than they were now.
But there was still work to be done. She could not allow herself to forget that. Her father still lived, and while she was eternally grateful to Cailean for sparing his life once, she knew they may not be given such a choice again. Murtagh McKenzie had now openly declared for the enemy side, which was both a blessing and a curse: better to know one's enemy, but worse in that it had closed some doors for the rebellion's allyship. She kept thinking of young Sorcha, and hoping the girl was well.
"Come," Cailean's voice whispered in her ear. "We must address the people. They expect it."
"After yer wonderful speech just last night? Are they nae tired of hearin' yer voice?" Maeve teased. But of course, she followed him up onto the waiting podium, knowing that the speech the king gave during the celebration could be even more important than the words said in the aftermath of victory.
There was much to do, and Cailean could not let his people relax into complacency. And Maeve was proud to be by his side, supporting him.
Kier sharply rang the bell for quiet, and slowly, but surely the noises of celebration died down, and all eyes turned toward where Cailean and Maeve stood. Darren was in the crowd this time, somewhere Maeve could not see, and she was slightly surprised that he wasn't up here with them, but she did not comment.
"Rebels. Countrymen. Friends. We have won a great victory," Cailean declared, then paused as loud cheers followed his words. He grinned, putting up a hand, and slowly the crowd lapsed back into quiet. "But it's important that we ken that our fight isnae over. In fact, in many ways, ye could say it's only just begun."
He gestured to the side, where the council was gathered. "Kier, Senan, Ewan, and Hamish. These men have been thevery pulse of this rebellion since before many of us were even born. They, along with the White Sparrows, saved me from what should have been certain death and helped us preserve the soul of a country that might otherwise have been lost forever."
A round of cheers and applause broke out, and Maeve, too, cheered for the men who had raised her love, and for Senan especially, who had saved her. Senan caught her eye and gave her a silly wink, and she grinned back toward him.
When the cheering tailored off, Cailean began to speak again. "The False King will nae let this pass without retribution. Now that we stand openly against the stolen crown, he will send his forces against us tenfold. We willnae always ken who are our enemies and who are our allies. We willnae always be able tae defend against surprise attacks. Murtagh McKenzie lives. James O'Sullivan lives. And the False King looms over us all. We have a battle ahead, me friends, one which isnae for the faint of heart."
"With ye at our head, I'd like tae see them try tae strike us down!" young Dirk called from the front of the crowd, which was met by laughter and more approving cheers.
Cailean grinned. "I'll do me best tae lead, but I'm well aware me power and strength comes from each and every one of ye," he responded. "If it wasnae for the bravery of Eoin, Breana, and Darren, I wouldnae be standin' here just now."
More cheering, and Maeve saw Darren at last, moving toward the podium. He had something in his hands as he stepped up to join them, though Maeve couldn't tell what it was.
"And of course, of me wonderful Maeve," Cailean went on. He turned toward her, and Maeve's attention suddenly narrowed to only him. Her heart fluttered as she met those grey eyes, so warm, so intense yet filled with love. "She has already proven herself a queen in the face of the worst dangers. And one day, in the eyes of God and man, I'll make her me wife."
He held out his hand, and Maeve took it, happy tears pricking at the edge of her vision.
"But until that day, I want our bond tae be made solid before the eyes of everyone present," Cailean announced. His voice went quieter then, and looking intently at Maeve, he said, "I would like tae be handfasted tae ye, me love."
"A bond that willnae be broken," Maeve agreed. She was not shocked, barely even surprised—because to be bound to Cailean felt as natural as breathing.
Darren stepped forward with the cord in his hand, and as he draped it around their joined hands, Maeve's eyes did not leave Cailean's.
"I love ye more than life," Cailean vowed in a simple, earnest tone. "And I bind meself tae ye forever."
Maeve's voice caught in her throat. "I never dreamed I'd find a love like this. And now that I have, I'm only thankful tae be able tae share it."
The ceremony continued, and several others spoke, though Maeve barely noticed. Her heart was so full, her happiness so bright, that for that moment there was nothing beyond this man who held her now.
When it was over and the cords were tucked away to be kept forever, Maeve felt a new woman. She was bonded to Cailean now, perhaps not yet by law, but to her in every way that mattered. When he leaned down to kiss her, much to Darren's teasing and more celebration from the crowd, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close, unashamed to display the full strength of her love. Because it was from that very love, she knew that the rebellion would flourish.
The door to their rooms burst open, and Maeve laughed breathlessly as Cailean pulled her inside. It had taken a little time to sneak away from the feast, until Darren had taken pity on them and served as a distraction, and now they'd run hand in hand through the castle as carefree as a pair of young lovers could be.
She kicked the door closed behind them, and before she could even speak, Cailean had grabbed her up into a blistering kiss. She squealed as his arms wrapped around her, slipping under her buttocks and lifting her from the ground. She wrapped her legs around his waist, feeling the hard wood of the door against her back as he staggered back to hold her against the wall, their kiss never breaking until Maeve began to feel lightheaded.
When they broke apart, gasping, it was only so that Cailean could move his mouth to her earlobe, nibbling and teasing, whispering as he went. "Ye taste so wonderful," he breathed, pressing her against the door. She could feel his hardness through his trousers, but despite his need, he was clearly in no hurry. He moved his kisses to her neck, his teeth grazing her skin, causing her to squirm and gasp.
