Page 141 of A Courage of the Chosen

“I’ve chosen very few things for myself in this life, and picking you was the easiest one I’ve ever made. I love you,” I repeat. “I don’t need you to say it back. But my heart is yours, mo sholas, and I can’t go another day without you knowing how completely you own me.”

Her mouth parts, a small ‘o’ formed by her perfect lips as the water continues to cascade around us in a steaming torrent, creating a curtain of heat that hides my confession away from the rest of the world.

Placing my heart wholly in her hands, I kiss Elsie with everything I have.

Chapter 41

Elsie

We tell Reyne and Eòghann exactly what happened on the road over breakfast the next day. Recounting it was difficult, and as we gave them every detail, it sank in that little bit more. Tavish’s control over the Dorche, the fact he turned on his Father. We then spent a long time discussing what it all meant, and it dawned on us all that Tavish is far more of a threat than we ever knew. Without his Father to prevent him from doing whatever he likes, there’s no telling how far he will go, and that’s not counting the power he has over the entire Dorche army now.

It lies between the four of us like a death knell we had to brush aside, since three of us were required in the council chamber.

The story we carve out as to what happened on the road is crafted to suit us, keeping certain aspects secret: we nearly made it to Klunnoch, where we were ambushed by Raghnall, Tavish, and Dorche. Men were killed, Rachel was injured, and she’s now healing, but we don’t know how long that will take. Freya is with her, and won’t be joining the council sessions for a while, neither will Brodie. We didn’t get the answers because we never made it to Ruival. Thanks to Tavish possessing the Craobh, he can shift the Dorche into Brollachan at will, and he shadow-walked away mid-fight. The false king is dead.

We keep the details to a minimum, truth and lies so expertly blended that no one questions it. I hate how easily it comes, and how readily it’s accepted by the council.

“The trials went ahead as planned, Your Majesty,” Lord Garside informs me after we’d spent hours replanning some of the training efforts to move faster. He was the one to preside over both Hume’s and Lady Navin’s cases on behalf of the crown.

“There was insurmountable evidence against both of them, and Hume was convicted of both murder and treason, while Lady Navin was found guilty of conspiring against the crown.” He delivers the verdict practically, and void of any emotion.

“Although, it would have been ideal if a more thorough search of Hume’s home could’ve been conducted,” Lord Garside peers at Callahan as he says it.

The house now lies in charcoaled ruins, and Callahan’s face remains blank. “I have no idea what you’re referring to.”

Lord Haddow smirks, as do Hector and Lady Calder.

From what Reyne told me this morning, it was good I wasn’t there for the trial, as Hume spewed a lot of vitriol about me, my family, and Callahan, yet remained tongue-tied when it came to what he did with the information he’d been stealing. Lady Navin simply confessed, and resorted to begging for mercy.

Lord Garside turns his attention to me. “As is the law when a Seelie is found guilty of crimes against the monarch, you will decide their sentence. Hume will either spend his life in prison, or he dies.”

“What about Lady Navin?” I ask.

“She will be stripped of all titles either way, but her sentence is one hundred years imprisonment or she will be shipped to Caithness to work on the docks for the same length of time. The choice is yours.”

Since there are more important matters at hand, I’m happy to let both of them rot in their cells for now, to contemplate the choices that led to this, and I will decide their fates soon.

It’s readily accepted by all, and the meeting moves back to war preparations.

The next week goes by, with training being pushed harder for the armies, so we’re ready when Tavish makes his move; time spent next to Rach’s bedside, while Lorna works tirelessly to find a way to remove Raghnall’s magic from her system; quiet dinners with Erin, that are the one bright spot for both me and Callahan; and figuring out what the fuck to do about those three words he said to me in the shower, and then kissed me like I was the only anchor for his sanity.

It was perfect, and it’s also broken me.

The reply was desperately trying to make it past my lips, but the reality of how much he doesn’t know keeps it firmly locked away with all my other secrets. I can’t give Callahan that love in return, when I know it will only hurt him more, further down the road.

We haven’t spoken about it, and I’ve found ways to avoid being alone with him much as I can. It’s been rather easy to accomplish, in fairness, as the only time we’ve had just the two of us has been when we’ve fallen into bed, exhausted from training or discussing our next moves with the council.

Lorna has tried everything to remove the Dorche magic from Rach, and she only has one idea left, that involves me using my light.

We’re all gathered in the living area while the healer gets everything ready. Freya sits on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, with Reyne next to her. Eòghann is propped up next to the hearth where the fire flickers, and Brodie and Callahan are locked in a standoff from opposite sides of the room. They don’t argue in front of Freya, but their hostility speaks volumes.

Things haven’t shifted between them, in fact they’ve only gotten worse. They’re hurting, both of them, and instead of being a source of comfort for each other they’ve turned their anger and despair into weapons that they’re pointing at the other.

“We’re ready,” Lorna says from the doorway, snapping the tension that’s brewing around all of us for different reasons.

“I’m going to stay here,” Freya whispers, staring into the fire. “I don’t want to witness whatever it is you need to do.” Her eyes find mine, and bruises that match Brodie’s sit underneath them. “Do what you must, but please be careful.”

“I will,” I promise.