Page 213 of A Courage of the Chosen

We’ll return it to her tonight. Livvy has told us that she falls asleep on it most evenings, and she should have it back.

There’s a timid knock at the door, and I’m on my feet before it’s finished.

Livvy dips into a curtsey, and Erin immediately lets go of her hand to hug me.

“Hey, sweetie,” I murmur, as I lean down to kiss the top of her head.

I mouth my thanks to Livvy, who smiles warmly before curtseying a second time, and paces off down the hall.

Callahan enters from our bedroom, hair still damp and a pair of dark sweats hastily thrown on, along with a cotton T-shirt. Erin goes to him, and he scoops her up into his arms as she buries herself into his neck.

There’s a precious bond between them, and every time I witness tender moments like this, my chest flutters.

“Are you both okay?” she mumbles into him.

“Aye, soldier. We’re okay. We just needed some time.”

We told Erin what happened to Rachel and Brodie, and the understanding in her eyes was enough to make Cal’s tears start anew.

Erin draws back after another minute where she clings to Callahan, and I summon breakfast.

She sits at the head of the table, a plate filled with her favorite pancakes, strawberries, and bananas, while Callahan and I sit either side of her. He rests a foot against mine beneath the table as we eat together, discussing the coronation.

It’s mundane, normal, and exactly what I hope for all my mornings to come.

Cait has made Erin a dress that she genuinely seems excited to wear. It’s been two months since she collapsed at the gates to the palace, and while Erin can still be reserved, still cries for her parents, and still comes to us in the middle of the night because she’s scared, she’s recovering well.

Which brings me on to what I wanted to ask her today. “Erin?”

She looks up from where she was soaking up the last of her syrup with a bit of pancake.

I place my knife and fork down, giving her my full attention. “How would you feel about the palace being your home?”

“Like . . . live here?” Erin says with her mouth full.

“Aye,” Callahan adds, swiping a bit of food that has somehow wound up on her cheek.

“Don’t I already live here?”

My husband and I glance at each other, and Callahan shrugs as he suppresses a smile. “She has a point.”

Chuckling, I nudge her elbow with mine and pick up my glass of juice. “Well, we should probably talk about decorating your room then, shouldn’t we?” I say over the rim.

Erin’s eyes glow, and for the first time since she came to us, this brave, wonderful child beams at me.

Chapter 64

Callahan

The throne room is packed, and all the lords and ladies from every corner of Elfayne have arrived to see their new queen finally be crowned. Seelie not of nobility have gathered in the courtyard, and spill out onto the path that winds back toward the city.

There’s a crown atop my head. Simple and silver, with small emeralds encrusted into it. It’s the perfect counterpart to the one nestled on a black cushion, with gold-embroidered edges, resting on the pedestal next to the empty throne that’s waiting for my wife.

It’s been hours since I last saw her, shooed from the room again by Reyne and her aunt as they readied Elsie for her coronation.

This week has been the happiest and most painful time of my life. I watched my sister and best friend cross into the afterlife, and have held my wife close every night, thanking the stars that we both made it out.

Even with the burden of what we accomplished sitting over us, Elsie has been lighter than I’ve ever seen, and it’s been impossible to resist her warmth and . . . joy. It radiates along our connection, and fills the hollow parts of me that are still raw after losing Brodie and Rach.