“And it did,” Constance said softly, seeing things clearly. She was about to go on when another burst of knowledge rushed through her.
“I have to go,” she gasped, pulling her hand away before the tree showed her too much. Before she lost her courage. Because, in this case, she didn’t doubt ignorance was bliss. She crouched, braced her head in her hands, and willed away the terror she sensed she would face. They all would, but mostly her. It had to be her. “I need to get to the border. Need to go to King’s Heart.”
“Then that’s where we will go.” Aodh crouched beside her and rested a supportive hand on her back. “Straight from here if ‘tis your wish.”
“It is.” She kept what the tree hinted at from him when she looked his way. “See our,your, castle well protected then we’ll stop at Liam’s castle along the way to speak to his people, then marry at Declán’s castle before traveling to the tree.”
“Declán’s castle?” Aodh’s eyebrows shot up. “The very castle I attacked as a dragon less than a week ago?” He shook his head and frowned. “Is that so wise? Would it not offend many?”
“No,” Ulrik said, understanding why Constance suggested it. “It would show them you think as highly of them as you do your own people. Not just that, but having Constance alongside, having been chosen by her, will help smooth the way.”
The Viking nodded once before continuing. “’Twill then be up to you to humble yourself to both kingdoms. As you did in your own kingdom, let people decide if you’re worth forgiving. Stand strong and accept their punishment if they mean for you to suffer it. For you know as well as I, the only way to unite a country is not through its leaders but through its people.” He shook his head. “For without people, there would be no leaders.”
“’Tis true enough.” Aodh sighed and looked at her with his heart in his eyes. “And ‘twas always the way I meant to go about things....”
He didn’t need to finish his sentence. She understood. It was always the way he had meant to go about things until he realized how much he loved her. How much he feared for her life if his brothers’ kingdoms turned on him.
“All the more reason you should see things through the way you meant to from the beginning,”she said telepathically, hoping the love and pride she felt when she looked at him translated.“Because that’s the man I love. The man I’m certain I’ve always loved.”
She felt his hesitation, his need to keep her safe always, but understood how important this was.
“I will do as you ask,” he finally replied, turning the tables on her. “Under one condition.”
She couldn’t help a small smile. “And what is that?”
“That ye never call my castle and people anything butoursagain.” He pulled her into his arms and cupped her cheek. Sent all sorts of delicious shivers through her despite what they faced. “If ye can promise me that, then I will see through yer every wish, lass.” He winked. “Including marrying ye.”
“Done.” Her smile grew, and for a flicker of a moment, she never felt so happy. “Consider me your queen...almost.”
As it happened, ‘almost’ would take time and every bit as much effort as she and Aodh knew it would. Starting with her reluctance to leave King’s Fall despite finding no sign of the tunnel they had discovered the day before. No sign of a castle-like chamber with a red velvet chair or a spacious open-aired window that led to a path ending at the waterfall.
“It will travel with you, sis,” Shannon assured as Constance hesitated to get on the horse Eircc had provided. She knew how to ride. That wasn’t an issue. But did she want to leave this place when she swore there was more here to discover?
“Trust me.” Shannon looked at her with a strength that resonated. With reassurance, Constance trusted. “If there are more secrets to be had here, you and Aodh will discover them in your dreams. That’s how it works.”
She knew her sister was right, but that didn’t make it any easier. Didn’t make her heart ache any less as they headed south away from King’s Fall.
Eircc would travel with them to the border of Ulster, then turn back and take command of their castle in their absence. Something he made clear was a great honor when it was time to part ways not long after Liam joined them. Those of their men who were currently with them would continue on, and the rest would protect the castle with Eircc.
“I wish ye both nothing but valor in war.” Eircc swung down from his mount, fell to a knee, put a fist to his heart, and bowed his head. “Might my king and queen see only victory on behalf of the Kingdom of Ulster and our allied kingdoms.”
She felt his pleasure at them coming together. Immense pride his liege was truly meant for Constance. More than anything, though, his happiness Aodh had found love at long last. Maybe even because she had done the same.
“And might you defend our people with every bit as much honor as I know you have, Eircc,” she replied.
Constance knew she was supposed to do a proper, regal nod, but it seemed ridiculous in light of everything that might be coming their way. Silly when they might never see one another again. So she swung down, went to him, and insisted he rise. When he did, she gave him a big hug and pressed her cheek to his chest.
“Thank you, Eircc,” she murmured. “Thank you for taking care of him. For taking care of everyone when Siobhán got a hold of him.”
It took a moment for him to respond, as he no doubt waited for a nod of approval from Aodh before he tentatively wrapped his arms around her and gave her a quick pat on the back. “Ye need never thank me, my queen. ‘Twas...’tisan honor.”
She pulled back and managed the best smile she could muster. “We’ll see you soon.” With a quick nod, she made sure he saw nothing but confidence in her eyes. “You have my word.”
“And I trust it.” He nodded at her with approval. “As I trust ye and my liege.”
Little was said after Eircc departed, and they continued south into Liam and Shannon’s Kingdom of Meath. She felt rather than saw Aodh’s tension when Meath warriors melted out of the forest and fell in around them. As they kept their hands near the hilt of their weapons despite Liam telling them to stand down. The King of Ulster came in peace. Meant to seek redemption. Even when Shannon reiterated it and fell in beside Aodh, claiming him as her guest.
It spoke to how much these men respected Shannon and Liam that no one drew a blade or made a snide remark when Constance felt it hovering beneath every façade. Their disgust for Aodh ran deep.
