Page 18 of A Courage of the Chosen

“We’ll continue our conversation tomorrow,” he says in my direction, without pulling his fearful gaze from Callahan.

“Enjoy your evening, Hume.” I almost sing it, knowing when he walks away, I won’t spare him another thought. And that my evening is going to be very different to the last few that have been spent sat in that windowless room.

He grumbles to himself as he quickly skirts around the warriors that refuse to move out of his way.

The moment Hume’s footsteps have faded into the distance, strong arms pull me against a chest covered in leather armor that blots everything else from view.

“Mo sholas,” Callahan says gently down our connection. The name filled with utter benediction and longing.

It’s been five days since I last felt his arms around me, our stolen night at Mac’s inn in Lassodie seeming like a lifetime ago.

I’ve wished so many times for us to go back to those moments, where it was just me and him.

No war. No uncertainty. And when the Craobh was safely in my possession. It was the night I’d finally let my guard down around Callahan, and given him some of my broken, misshapen pieces, that he gladly took and cherished.

“Don’t mind me, I missed her as well you know,” Brodie grouses playfully.

“Fuck off, Brodie,” Callahan rumbles, and I properly laugh for what feels like the first time in forever.

Chapter 5

Elsie

“Don’t you want to see your sister?” I ask breathlessly as Callahan tugs me behind him across the throne room and down the hall of chambers.

“Nope. Spent enough time with her in the womb.”

I giggle and pull him to a stop as he reaches the end of the hall while Brodie follows.

“Sooo, I don’t want to third wheel whatever is about to happen here,” Brodie gestures between the two of us with a smirk. “But I have no idea where I’m going.”

Callahan’s jaw twitches and it makes me laugh again.

“Come on,” I say to them both, threading my fingers through Callahan’s, and lead them into the circular chamber that’s littered with people going about their evenings.

The guards eye us warily, silver armor glinting, and a few Seelie pause with questioning stares.

As Hector said, we haven’t announced who I am yet, but the whispers of the staff as I walk by tell me that they know something is going on. Especially since Raghnall nor Tavish haven’t been seen for close to a week now and I’m actively using the chambers that belonged to Murdoch and Iona.

I guide them through the halls toward the royal wing, intending to leave Brodie where Rach is staying in the rooms I used to call mine.

“Is Eòghann with you?” I ask them as we slip through the large arched door and into bare hallways devoid of anything interesting. It reminds me to ask someone about making this place feel less deserted. I mean, if it’s going to be home, I can make changes, right? Even just some rugs would lessen the harsh difference between here and what’s beyond the door we just passed through.

“He’s with the armies,” Brodie replies. “They should be here tomorrow. Someone was a little impatient to get here and rode ahead completely alone.”

I shoot a look in Callahan’s direction.

He shrugs. “I wasn’t spending another moment longer than necessary away from you,” Callahan states, matter-of-fact.

“So much for the ‘never ride off alone’ speech you always give,” I tease.

Callahan squeezes my hand, a small curve at the edges of his mouth beneath the beard that’s longer than I’ve ever seen it.

Voices interrupt us, and Brodie smiles wickedly as he takes off in the direction of them. Rach’s squeal of delight is shrill as we round the corner and find her wrapped around Brodie like a vine on a tree as he twirls her around.

“Hey, Red,” he says to Reyne as he puts Rach back on her feet but keeping her close.

“Hi, Brodie. Is—”