Darren was the first to speak. "It sounds like they've taken yer home like they once took mine, Cailean." He gave a fierce grin. "I say we do what we've proven we do best and take it back."
Bolstered by Maeve at his side and Darren's spoken support, Cailean stood. "We may not yet be ready tae take on Blackthorn Keep and the False King directly. But McNair blood will sit upon its rightful seat once more—and we'll have the rallyin' point our people need."
He looked at the council, especially Kier, and saw a slow smile unfurl on the older man's face.
"Very well," Kier said at last, "It seems we've got work tae do."
3
Breana felt strange as she approached her room to gather her supplies. Her whole soul seemed to be vibrating inside her skin, her hair standing on end, and she could barely believe she had convinced them to let her go with Eoin on a mission so important. She'd gone with him on a mission before to warn Maeve and save Cailean, but that had been a spur-of-the-moment thing, an impulsive act that she had barely given herself time to think about.
As she packed her charcoals and paper, along with a few changes of clothes, she considered how different this mission would be. But her determination burned hotter than ever. She had accepted that she would never be a warrior, but she was still learning what it meant to be helpful to the rebellion outside of that role. By doing this, she knew she could find her place more firmly than ever before.
A knock sounded at the door. She opened it, and Eoin stood there, his owlish eyes narrowed and focused, a frown on his handsome face. He walked inside without waiting for a further invitation, strolling over to the window and staring out without a word. Confused by his behavior, Breana closed the door behind him and then turned over to face him.
"What do ye see?" she asked.
He didn't turn back immediately. "A country at war," he replied without looking at her. "And a place where scarcely any safety exists anymore outside of these castle walls.
"That's what we're doin' this for, is it nae?" Breana asked. "Tryin' tae save our world?"
He finally faced her, the expression on his face even more distressed, uncharacteristically stern, and maybe even frustrated. His auburn hair shone bright in the sunlight, his eyes even more blue than usual, churning with conflicting emotion.
"Ye need tae stay here," he told her.
Breana blinked, unable to comprehend the words from his lips for a moment. In the time she'd known him, Eoin had been her biggest supporter, following her into danger without more than a second thought, encouraging her to try everything and never back down. But now he was looking at her with more severity than she had ever seen on his gentle face, and she knew he meant his words.
"Ye ken that isnae gonnae happen," she said evenly. "I need tae finish me preparations. If ye arenae here tae help me…"
"It's too dangerous," Eoin insisted. He stepped closer to her. "Nae because ye arenae a warrior. Nae because ye're a lassie. But because ye'reye.Breana, yer father's men may still be lookin' for ye. O'Sullivan was wounded, nae killed, and we ken he's one of the most powerful lairds in the land. One of the False King's closest followers. He kens he cannae reclaim Maeve now that she's bonded to Cailean, but ye—ye arenae safe."
"None of us are safe," Breana protested, taking a few steps closer to him in turn. She would not let him intimidate her, not even looking at her the way he was. "Ye just said so yerself. But I need tae do this just as much as ye do. Even Maeve has accepted it; she understands that I'll be more useful than any of the scoutsor even other warriors ye could take with ye in locatin' this convent. So it's already settled."
"It isnae. Ye can go tae Ferda and find me a rough location on a map. I can figure out the rest meself from there," Eoin argued. He moved even closer, so much so that she could feel the frustration and urgency radiating from him.
"Ye said ye want tae go on this journey in honor of yer sister who passed, did ye nae? My own sister still lives, and I can donothin'tae save her. I dinnae even ken if she'd come with me if I tried!" Breana retorted, heat stirring in her tone too, her heart racing as the adrenaline surged. "I have the skill, I have the motivation. And Iwanttae do this. Who are ye tae stop me?"
Eoin was so close now that she could feel his breath mingling with hers, his blue eyes seeming as wide as the ocean as they stared at her, obviously desperate to get his point across. His hands reached out and grasped her arms just below the shoulders, holding her in place, forcing her to look straight up at him. Even in the strength of the grip, though, he was gentle, nowhere near hurting her.
"The point is that if Iwantedtae stop ye, physically, I could." Eoin's voice was strained, and there was a sense of danger there. "And so could any other trained attacker."
Anger flashed in Breana's heart, and she placed her hands on his chest, unsuccessfully trying to push him back. "I amnaeweak!" she snarled.
His expression changed at that, his eyes widening, a look of surprise dancing around his lips. When he spoke again, his voice softened, and the usual kindness and support was there again, twisted up with his clear concern. "Breana, Ikenye arenae weak. I think ye're stronger than most people I've ever met. I've told ye this over and over."
"Then why?" she demanded, her own tone retreating a little. Neither of them moved their hands, still caught so close to oneanother that she felt hypnotized under some sort of spell, as if the world had frozen around them. "Why are ye sayin' this? Do ye simply nae want me tae come with ye? Have I done somethin' wrong?"
"Ye've done everythin' right for the entire time I've been here, Breana," Eoin told her, his voice quiet now, intense. "But I need ye tae understand howimportantye are. Ye're worth so much more to everyone than ye can imagine. Nae just tae Maeve, nor even tae me, but tae the whole rebellion. Tae the whole country. Ye're essential, and I cannae bear the thought that somethin' could ever happen tae ye."
"And I am supposed tae just accept somethin' could happen taeye?" Breana challenged. "Areyenae the one who protected me on our whole journey tae McKenzie Castle and then onward tae me father's home? Areyenae the one who saved Cailean from that cell? Ye're just as important as I am. More, even."
Eoin let out a soft sound that was almost a scoff and dropped his gaze, his whole demeanor shifting. Breana could tell at that moment that he did not believe her; he clearly could not accept her words.
Frustration bubbled up in her once more. "How are we different?" she demanded. "I am the daughter of a Laird who betrayed the rightful king and serves the False King so loyally that many people have cursed my family name and will continue tae do so long after we are all gone.Yeare the son of a laird who did the exact same thing. What is the difference between us?"
Eoin shook his head. "Ye dinnae understand. Maeve is yer sister, and…"
"Maeve is yer friend. Ye saved her life. Ye're her family too. Eoin, ye're…" Breana sighed. "Do ye think I dinnae see how ye devalue yerself over and over again? Ye throw yerself intae mission after mission, barely taking care, actin' as though ye're replaceable. But ye arenae. Nae tae me, nae tae anyone."
