Healthy versus cloying.
So she was comfortable and confident when she addressed everyone. When she, surprisingly enough, shared everything with them because it felt like the right thing to do. Knew they would appreciate hearing it. From how great a man their king had been not just in this life but the last. How the animals hadn’t just been there for her when they fought but him too.
She shared what it had felt like when Liam rushed into battle. The fear she’d felt over his well-being. Her inability not to go to his aid when her animals did. She even told them how it had felt to kill a man for the first time. The rage she had experienced beforehand. The satisfaction she felt that there was one less warrior out there who might someday harm them.
It was the last part of what she said that surprised her the most. How easily it came to her like it was the most natural thing in the world to say.
“No matter what happens, I will stand by you all until the end,” she called out. “And I will do everything in my power to keep this kingdom safe.”
She was relieved to see Liam’s nod of approval when his,their, people roared with just as much approval. More relieved still when she sensed how much he had liked what she said. How relieved he was to hear her say that last part especially.
“’Twill do them good to see you amongst them for a wee bit,”he said telepathically before giving her a look she couldn’t mistake.“Then we will finally take the time to talk alone. To understand one another better.”
“That might be a good idea.”
As it turned out, a very good idea, given what he divulged when they at last talked rather than bickered later that day.
Chapter Sixteen
“I’VE BECOME MORE and more convinced that Siobhán had me under some sort of spell years ago,” Liam confessed as he bypassed his chamber and walked Shannon up another set of spiral stairs. For the first time since her arrival, her wolf didn't trail after them. “That I was still partially under it right up until I traveled to New Hampshire.”
“What makes you so certain?”
Her eyes widened when he brought her into a small chamber he had seen to earlier. One he felt compelled to bring her to if for no other reason than the view.
“I know this room,” she whispered, taking in the fire crackling on the hearth. “I’ve been here before.”
“Because it was your favorite,” he realized, not sure how he knew, only that he was right. Likely the sole reason he knew he had to bring her here.
“It was.” She drifted to the window and opened the wooden shutters overlooking the sea. The storm that had rolled in earlier was retreating, and another was inbound. Thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed across the sky. “I loved the wildness of it. The seascape from this angle.”
His breath caught at the sight of her standing there. How beautiful she looked with her hair blowing in the wind. For a flicker of a moment, he swore he saw her standing in that veryspot, only younger, but the vision vanished a blink later. Either way, there could be no doubt she belonged here.
That she belonged with him.
It was hard to believe he felt such so strongly so fast, but then he suspected, no,knew, he had started to feel it in New Hampshire. Knew that whatever it was that pulled them together would be life-altering. Change everything he thought he knew about himself. The way he looked at those around him.
And it had.Shehad.
He’d never felt such pride as he did earlier watching Shannon fight, then speaking to their people. It had seemed meant to be. Long overdue. Much welcomed. Especially what she said. How far she had come in regards to him in return. He’d appreciated her honesty and knew his people did too. Moreover, he knew they would very much like to see her become their queen.
