I had to.
And I had to do it soon.
But I couldn’t do it alone.
Which is why, on the third morning after Dallin left—and the third morning of me not sleeping—I called Maardok to Issa’s cottage. Sevren was on Islay as far as I knew, but our younger brother had made it clear he scorned leadership so his presence—or lack of—wasn’t helpful. I needed advice.
“Well?” my sister asked, her feet up on a cushion as her Mate steeped tea for us. “Have ye finally come to yer senses?”
“Nay.” I scrubbed my hand down my face, my elbow propped on the table, feeling the weight of responsibility dragging down my shoulders. “That’s why I’m here. I need help.”
“Fook aye, ye do,” Maardok muttered, crossing his arms and resting his shoulder against the mantel. “Just claim her and be done with it.”
My chin—and my gaze—jerked up.
“What?”
“Rowena,” my sister explained gently, a hint of laughter in her eyes. “We can all see she’s yer Mate. Can ye no’? Just claim her and?—”
“She doesnae want me!” I growled, and my sister’s eyes widened.
“She told ye that?”
Maardok shook his head. “EvenIcan smell that shewantsye, brother.”
I swung on him, myKteerurging me to rip his throat out.
“Dinnae presume to smell my Mate’s?—”
“Gods below, Vrogul.” Issa’s feet hit the floor. “Listen to yerself.”
‘Twas our healer Matthias who made peace, plunking tea down on the table.
“Vrogul will be irritable until he claims Rowena. But I doubt that’s why he’s here, no’ if he kens she’s his Mate. He doesnae need our opinions on that.”
“He says she doesnae want him,” my sister pointed out incredulously. “That’s ridiculous.”
“She still thinks I’m her enemy.” My anger drained out of me, leaving me feeling defeated, and I slumped once more. “I dinnae want to force her.”
“Aye, of course no’.” Matthias’s hand rested on my shoulder. “Do ye need our help with her?”
“Nay.”
I sighed, then pinched the bridge of my nose.
“The full moon is in less than a fortnight, and she’ll be returning to her home. But first, there is more to concern us.”
As they listened, I told them what I’d been wrestling with. I told them Rowena’s perspective about Callor and my pledge of loyalty, and what had happened to her people. I told them how her words—leadership, servant, loyalty, oaths—had affected me, causing me to question everything I thought I knew about my role in my clan.
Ourrole inourclan.
And they—all of them—listened. This was my family, the ones I’d sacrificed so much for, the ones who loved me.
Unlike Rowena.
I scowled, shook my head, and pushed aside that thought. I needed to focus on this debate.
Finally, Issa spoke quietly.
