Eramus sighed and averted his gaze. As much relief as Kieran's response gave him, he needed to make sure the man understood exactly what he was agreeing to. "Kieran, we—Evree and I—cannot stay here in the village. So long as my father remains free, she will never be safe."
Kieran's brows tightened. "What do you mean? Clearly, your father takes no issue with violence, but I fail to see why he would hold a grudge against Evree. Surely you don't intend to allow him into your life after what he did to Arnan?"
Eramus wet his lips. The idea of telling Kieran the things he had learned the past day only sent his heart racing again. "No, I want nothing to do with my father. There is so much you don't know or understand. I wish I could explain everything to you, Kieran, but I fear it would only put you in danger as well. The less you know, the better. But you deserve to know the truth of Evree's capture. The mercenaries targeted her because my father hired them. He believes Evree is a distraction, that love is nothing more than a weakness that would keep me from standing at his side.
"He instructed the mercenaries to kill her, but they thought to demand more compensation and kidnapped her instead. We are fortunate that man is subject to such greed, at least in this case."
Kieran ran his fingers through his hair. "You believe if you remain here, your father will come for her again? What makes you think she'll be any safer if you leave? He tracked you down once; he could do so again."
“He can, and truthfully, he knows where I intend to go. But at least on Verascene magic can protect her. My aunt and uncle, my cousins…we will all protect her.”
“Verascene?” Kieran folded his arms. His dark eyes filled with understanding and a painful sorrow flooded his expression. “The unreachable island. If you go there, if I accept your offer for my daughter’s hand, I may never see her again. This is what you wish me to know. You think I may change my mind, knowing I am losing her completely.”
Eramus kicked at the ground, the guilt caused by Kieran's words eating away at him. Kieran placed a hand on Eramus's shoulder. "But how can I change my mind, knowing doing so would put her at risk? I trust you to take care of my daughter, Eramus. I trust you to protect her, especially if I cannot do it myself."
"You could come with us," Eramus said, meeting his gaze. "You could come to Verascene, and then you would not lose her. I know she—"
Kieran held up his hand and shook his head. "My place is here."
"But—"
“I can’t, Eramus.” Kieran rubbed his hand over his face before pressing his mouth against fist. “I once made promises, too—to love and to protect. I failed to keep them, and that failure cost me the person I loved most. She’s buried in the meadow, Eramus. And though my wife has departed this world, I cannot bring myself to abandon her. I cannot leave this village.
"You and Evree are beginning a life and journey of your own, and I have every assurance you will cherish and protect her. Besides, with my brother's death, it is time I accept new responsibilities. The people will need someone to guide them, and your mother has insisted that is my place for some time."
Eramus laughed. "She will be happy to hear you intend to accept the role."
Kieran turned, and together they walked towards his cottage. They continued several yards before Eramus continued, "I can't make you any promises, but I will do my best to find a way for Evree to keep in touch with you."
"Keep in touch?" Kieran said with a chuckle. "How do you intend to achieve such a thing living on an island no one can get to? I don't believe messengers do much traveling there."
"Perhaps not, but as I've learned the past few weeks, magic is capable of more than I ever imagined. Aldeth may know a way."
"Then I offer you my gratitude should you discover it, but if not, I will rest well knowing my daughter is happy and safe with you."
They stopped outside of Kieran's cottage. Evree stood with her forehead pressed against the window, but disappeared the moment she saw them. The door swung open, and Evree bounded outside. Her eyes darted from Kieran to Eramus, and she bounced with anticipation.
"Well?" she said when neither of them spoke.
Eramus offered her a fake scowl. "I thought you were confident your father would grant me his blessing?"
She tilted her head, and sunlight glistened off her brilliant green eyes. "Confidence does not guarantee success, sir, even for someone as confident as me."
Kieran laughed and stepped towards her. His hands fell on both of her shoulders, his eyes glazing over. "Yes, sweetheart. I've granted you both my blessing."
Evree giggled and kissed her father's cheek before leaping around him to throw herself into Eramus's arms. He wrapped them around her and pulled her against his chest.
"I'm so happy," she whispered. "I love you."
Eramus lifted her from the ground and spun in a circle, inciting more giggles from the woman he loved. "I love you, too. And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
She smirked, and Eramus's stomach fluttered. "So we'll have the wedding soon, then? Seeing as how you can't wait?"
"As soon as possible. Although, my aunt may make a spectacle of the whole thing."
She shrugged, but her smile never faded. "I think I can handle that, so long as I have you."
And she would. He would stand by her side until the day he died. Evree gave him purpose, and he would protect her with every ounce of strength he possessed, whether it from armies of mighty kings or threats of magic. Love would always be worth fighting for, a notion long lost to his father. Love would be Eramus's strength to fight whatever Morzaun brought his way.
