Page 92 of Fractured Memories

Her brows scrunch together. “Where are you going?”

I just wink. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

I leave Mika with Eden and walk over to Rohan’s house, where Jude and Lochlan are already. Though they are both sprawled out in the sitting room, asleep.

I chuckle as I help myself to Rohan’s whiskey and stare outside. In the center of the compound, the snow has been cleared and a wooden altar waits, decorated in greenery and white flowers. A fire pit sits behind it, ready to be stoked to life.

I knew that I wouldn’t be able to wait to marry Eden. I meant it when I said I didn’t want to start a new season without her. That’s why I arranged our wedding before I even proposed, hoping she’d say yes.

And now she has.

Two hours later, I meet her under that altar at sunset, stunned by how gorgeous she looks with her curls half pinned back and decorated with winterberries. She’s in a dress that I selected, one that shows off her figure and has a high slit that gives her plenty of room to move—which I know is important to her.

And on our first Wintervale, fourteen months after I first saw her, I make Eden my wife.

CHAPTER 30

KIERAN

Present day…

Pulling the box out, I flick it open and stare at the green, kite-cut gem. I removed it from its place in her drawer after Eden went missing, staring at it far too often. And then kept it hidden after I brought her back, not wanting her to see it until we were both ready. But after the conversation the other night, I don’t want to keep it hidden away. I want to see it on her finger again.

I’m lucky she went to the cages from the training grounds that day—if I could call anything about my wife being attacked lucky. The only time Eden didn’t wear her wedding ring—with the matching gold band—was during her daily training sessions. It’s the only reason we didn’t lose it, too.

I’ve been hesitant to bring it up to her because, as tolerant as she has been when it comes to our relationship, she might not be ready to put it back on. Asking her to wear it is like asking her to marry me—choose me—all over again.

She hasn’t even told me she loves me since I found her. Not that I’ve dared to say it, either. I won’t be able to handle any reaction but hearing those three words from her, so I haven’t taken the chance. But I hate holding back when it comes to her. I’ve wanted all of her since I first saw her.

Which means I have to take that leap. Just like when I told her I loved her the first time. Just like when I asked her to marry me and surprised her at the altar a day later.

Resolute in this decision, I close the box, tucking it in my pocket, and slip out of my room. Ash told me Eden was already back when I came home, so I just have to find her. I’m hoping she’s alone so I don’t have to fight Mika for a little privacy.

Making my way to the patio—the only place she could be—I convince myself this is the right choice. I don’t have to drop to a knee again. I’ll join her in the pool, ply her with an orgasm or two, and mention the ring. Simple.

Or I thought it was going to be.

That is until I step out onto the patio, spotting Eden curled up in a chair in the shade. Before I can get a word out, the sound of footsteps behind me makes me pause. I turn, surprised to see Jude coming down the hall.

“Is it safe?” he asks, looking more at the ground than anything.

I chuckle. Eden hasn’t picked up the habit of swimming naked again, but everyone in the house knows better than to come out here.

“She’s dressed,” I answer, glancing over. I’m surprised that she’s actually still in her clothes from her morning sessions.

Eden cocks her head, her curls falling to the side with the movement, so I step fully outside. Jude follows, his jaw set hard and muscles stiff. I’m almost certain that something is wrong.

“Larkin came by the training grounds today.” There’s definite anger in Jude’s voice, and it’s enough to have Eden abandoning her lunch to join us. “Someone got into a bit of trouble at the cages last night. Owed more than he could pay.”

I raise my brows. “You have information?”

He nods. “It was well worth clearing his debt, too. The shop owner? Rumor is he was a rebel sympathizer. He was smuggling them products, had a schedule with them.”

Well, now I’m glad we dragged the arsehole’s death out for a week. “So he set Lochlan up?”

The muscle in his jaw ticks. “No. He was going to the rebels. They weren’t coming into the city.” His eyes narrow. “But our informant did walk into the shop a few days before Lochlan was shot. He overheard the owner telling Conor that Lochlan would be there that morning.”

Conor. I struggle to process that. He’s intimidated by me, by all three of us, and even though he pushes, he wouldn’t dare cross us. Would he?