The dam broke. Months of stress, fear, self-doubt, and exhaustion poured out in wrenching sobs. Finn collapsed against Darragh, his legs giving out completely. They sank to the floor together, Darragh holding him while he cried.
“I’m so tired.” Finn’s words came between gasps. “I’m tired of being wrong, tired of failing, tired of not being enough…”
“You’re enough.” Darragh pressed his face against Finn’s hair. “You’ve always been enough. I’m sorry I didn’t protect you better. Sorry, I let him hurt you. Sorry, I didn’t see what was happening.”
Helena and Aldric quietly left, closing the door behind them.
Finn cried until he had nothing left, until his throat was raw and his head pounded. Darragh just held him, one hand stroking hisback in steady rhythms. Eventually, Finn’s breathing evened out into hiccups. He felt wrung out, hollow.
“I don’t know how to do this anymore.” His voice was barely a whisper. “I don’t know who I’m supposed to be. The real me fails, but the fake me isn’t real. I’m lost.”
Darragh shifted, tilted Finn’s face up. His eyes were fierce. “Then we figure it out together. No more struggling alone while I tell you it’ll be fine. No more me assuming love is enough without helping you navigate this world. We’re partners. That means I fight beside you, not behind you.”
“What if I can’t…”
“You damn well can.” Darragh kissed his forehead. “You already have. The summit preparations are solid. Your organizational systems work. You’ve learned more in three months than most people learn in years. And now Thomas is gone, no more sabotage. No more second-guessing yourself.”
Finn wanted to believe him so badly, wanted to trust that it could be that simple. But in truth, he was so tired.
“Come on.” Darragh stood and pulled Finn to his feet. “Let’s get you to bed. You need to sleep without this hanging over you. Getting some real rest for a change, instead of just closing your eyes.”
They walked through the quiet castle, Darragh’s arm around Finn’s waist. Finn leaned against him, too exhausted to maintain any pretense. In their chambers, Darragh helped Finn undress, tucked him into bed, and then slid in beside him and pulled him close.
This time, Finn let himself be held. Let himself be vulnerable. Let the rigid control finally drop. “I’m scared.” The admissioncame more easily in the darkness. “I’m scared the summit will be a disaster. I’m scared I’ll prove Thomas right.”
“Then we’ll deal with it.” Darragh’s arms tightened. “Whatever happens at the summit, we handle it as partners. No more carrying everything alone.”
Finn closed his eyes, exhaustion pulling him under. For the first time in weeks, he felt like he could actually breathe…and sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Gordon, I need the updated schedules for every delegation.”
Darragh stood in the doorway of his office, watching Finn work with Helena. Maps covered the desk, color-coded by delegation. The transformation from last night’s breakdown was remarkable - Finn’s eyes were clearer, his movements less frantic. But the tension still lived in his shoulders.
“Here.” Finn handed Helena a document. “I’ve revised the morning sessions to allow buffer time between presentations.”
“Smart.” Helena marked something on her notes. “Especially with Queen Valdis. She’s notoriously long-winded.”
Darragh crossed to the desk. “Let me see the delegation rooming assignments again.”
Finn looked up, surprised. “I thought you approved those yesterday.”
“I did. But Thomas had access to everything for months.” Darragh pulled the document toward him. “We’re checking everything together from now on. No assumptions.”
Something shifted in Finn’s expression - relief, maybe. Or gratitude.
Over the next hour, they worked through logistics as a team. Darragh caught two subtle issues Finn had missed, but Finn spotted three things Darragh would have overlooked. Helena provided context on historical tensions between certain kingdoms that influenced seating arrangements, and changes were made again. But it was all done in good humor, and Darragh was pleased to see Finn’s confidence slowly returning.
“The Montclaire delegation arrives in four days,” Finn said, making notes. “They’ll need…” he trailed off, staring at his list.“Huh. I’ve already arranged everything. Wine, accommodations, dietary requirements.”
“Then cross it off.” Darragh leaned over, drew a line through the item. “You’ve done that work. Move on.”
Finn blinked. “But what if Thomas altered…”
“Gordon went back and double checked every wine delivery yesterday.” Helena tapped her own notes. “All thirty cases are correct. The Montclaire delegation will be perfectly accommodated.”
“Oh.” Finn’s hand trembled slightly as he crossed off the item. “Right.”
