Eva returned the hug, surprised by Margaret's care.
She straightened at last, shoulders back despite the ache in her body.
“They couldnae break me,” Eva said, her chin lifting with quiet pride.
Margaret smiled at her, eyes bright with unshed tears. “Indeed ye are a strong lass,” she replied, “and nay one here ever doubted that.”
Hands guided Eva gently toward the doors, voices overlapping as concern turned to action.
“Get the bath ready,” Annabeth said, already fussing, “and clean linens.”
Margaret nodded. “We’ll see to every bruise,” she added, “ye’re safe now.”
Connor hovered nearby. Eva's gaze locked on him as she looked over her shoulder, as though to assure herself she was truly home.
Inside the castle, warmth wrapped around her as servants hurried ahead. Eva allowed herself to be led, the tension finally draining from her limbs. As the bath was prepared and her cloak slipped from her shoulders, she felt the weight of fear loosen its grip at last. Surrounded by familiar voices and caring hands, Eva closed her eyes and let herself believe it was over.
An hour later, Eva sat alone in the deep tub, steam curling around her shoulders as the water slowly cooled. She scrubbed her skin as though she could wash away the fear itself, her hands trembling when she remembered Jack’s grip and the dark forest closing in around her. She had truly believed she would never see her mother again, nor Jason, nor the stone walls of the castle she had once thought confining.
Worst of all, I thought I'd never see Connor, and that cut me deeper than any blade.
When she finally rose from the bath, her limbs felt heavy but clean, the ache dulled to something bearable. She wrapped herself in a thick wool blanket, breathing in the familiar scent of hearth smoke and soap. The room felt too quiet, the silence pressing in now that the danger had passed. She was wringing water from her hair when a knock sounded softly at the door.
Eva’s heart skipped as she opened it to find Connor standing there, his face drawn and eyes dark with worry. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him, as though sealing the world away.
“I should’ve protected ye better,” he said at once, his voice rough, “I should never have let ye out of me sight.”
Eva shook her head, clutching the blanket tighter.
“Ye did protect me,” she said firmly, meeting his gaze, “ye came for me, Connor, and ye saved me life.”
He exhaled shakily and stepped closer, his hand hovering as if afraid to touch her. “I thought I’d lost ye,” he murmured.
Eva swallowed, her voice softening. “So did I,” she admitted, “and it near broke me.”
The words rushed out then, carried on the relief still flooding her veins. “I love ye,” Eva said, the truth bare and trembling between them.
Connor froze for a breath, then his expression gentled, all walls falling away.
“I love ye too,” he said quietly, as though the words were sacred, “more than I ever kent I could love anyone.”
He pulled her into his arms, careful yet urgent, and kissed her with a hunger edged by reverence. Eva’s knees went weak as she melted against him, every nerve sparking to life where his hands steadied her. Desire curled low in her belly, warm and dizzying, driven not just by want but by the certainty that she was safe here. As he held her and kissed her again, Eva clung to him, knowing with fierce clarity that she was home.
“Ye’ve carried the weight of the world on yer shoulders these past days, Connor, let me tend to ye a wee bit.”
He gave a tired smile and nodded. “Aye,” he said gently, “I wouldnae say nay to that, lass.”
He sat on the edge of the bed and loosened his tunic while Eva knelt down before him. She pushed her hands under his kilt and began rubbing his thighs, her thumbs pressing into the tight cords of muscle there.
Connor let out a slow breath. “Gods,” he murmured, “ye’ve magic in yer hands.”
Eva smiled to herself as she worked up his legs, kneading strength and weariness alike. His thighs were firm, marked faintly with old scars, and she traced them with care.
“These limbs have done too much work of late,” she said quietly. “Let them rest.”
She saw Connor close his eyes, the tension easing from his frame.
“I daenae ken how I’d have borne any of this without ye,” he said.
