“And the previous ruler didn’t disappear. He now lives a peaceful life in a cottage on the next hill.” I pointed toward his cottage, slightly bigger than my cabin. “He lives there with his wife, and they’re content to no longer be ruling. They were getting older, tired, and I think the castle sensed it was time for a new high prince and queen.” I turned to Niamh. “Cillian is under a tremendous amount of pressure. He wanted you to feel comfortable first, to get to know Fairwitch Isle and the castle before learning all that was at stake. He wasn’t trying to lie to you.”
“Maybe not,” she said, “but I still have to give him a hard time just so he knows to never do it again.”
“Fair enough.” I hoped that meant she’d forgive him soon and leave me alone.
“You’re really strong,” she said out of nowhere.
This woman’s mind worked so fast; I could barely keep up with her train of thought.
“I have to be strong,” I said. “It’s how I keep Cillian safe.”
“Wouldn’t it be safer if you were in the castle with him?”
“The guards take shifts around the clock. I don’t need to be in the castle with him.” It was outside the castle that most concerned me.
“I’m not strong,” Niamh said, and I had no idea how to respond to that. “But I want to be. I’m tired of being scared all the time.”
I sighed, sensing she wanted someone to talk to. “Niamh, I’m not the right person to talk to about this?—”
She turned suddenly, her eyes alight with excitement. “Would you train me?”
“What?” No. Absolutely not. Train her? I wasn’t equipped to train anyone, to do anything that would take away from my job guarding my brother.
She leaned forward, enough that even with the wind, I could smell just a hint of rose. I inched backward.
“C’mon, sunshine.” She flicked my bicep. “Don’t tell me you haven’t had the urge to hit me once or twice. This will be your chance!”
I wasn’t going to answer that, especially not when it was so true.
“No,” I said. “Ask one of the royal guard. Maybe they can help.”
“I don’t know the royal guard.” She bit her lip. “I also don’t trust them.”
“And you trust me?” I asked, taken aback. I’d been terse, grumpy, and aggressive with her. I didn’t know why she’d trust me with anything. I wasn’t sure I trusted myself. The only thing I trusted I could do was keep my brother safe. That was it. My sole purpose. Surely she knew that by now.
“I’ve seen you fight multiple times. I’ve seen how loyal you are to your brother. I do trust you, even if you’re mean and stern. But that’s why I know you’ll train me well. You won’t cut me any slack, and you won’t hold back.”
“You’re right, I wouldn’t. But I still won’t train you.”
“Why?” She threw up her hands.
Why? I wasn’t sure I could answer that question. I wasn’t sure I knew the answer to that question.
“It doesn’t matter. I just can’t train you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll show up at your cottage every day and talk and talk and talk some more. I’ll tell you about all the books I’ve read. Steamy ones with scenes that would make you blush?—”
I held up my hand. “No.” She’d already manipulated me once by threatening to talk to me. I wouldn’t fall for that again.
She raised a brow. “You think I won’t do it?”
“I think you’ll be too busy to do it. You have a castle to win over, a library to clean, and a high prince to wed.”
She crossed her arms. “Fine, but if you won’t do it for me, then do it for your brother.”
That caught me off guard. “What does Cillian have to do with this?”
“I’m his future wife, the supposed queen of Fairwitch Isle. You wouldn’t want the person most precious to him to be in danger, would you? Training me will ensure that I can hold my own, that youwon’t be forced to choose between protecting me and Cillian in an emergency.”
