Page 41 of A Courage of the Chosen

“Fine,” I speak aloud. “But later, I’m keeping you all to myself.” I step back, leaning against the entry to the closet as I watch her go from aroused and half naked, to guarded and fully clothed.

That tone of her scent grows heavier, thick and cloying in my nose. As if I needed the physical signal that she’s pulling away.

I’d refused to accept that I could scent that bitterness from my mother, convincing myself that was just her smell, since it had always been like that. After she’d revealed that she knew how Tavish came to wield both darkness and mist, it vanished instantly, and I kicked myself for being so ignorant to it.

Swallowing the question on the tip of my tongue, my mind races on what Elsie could be hiding. There are so many different options, and the longer I stand there calculating, the more ridiculous the scenarios become.

When I confessed my feelings for Elsie on the banks of that river before chaos unfolded, I said the thought of losing her to my cousin scared me more than anything I’ve ever faced. It was partially true, that thought did terrify me, and still does. But what scares me more is the power this woman has over me, and she’s clueless to it.

No one has ever consumed me the way she has, and all I want to do is protect her, cherish her, and give her the happiness she deserves.

Is this thing between us too much for her after everything she’s been through? The thought has crossed my mind before, but I can’t help myself when I’m around her.

When she told me Tavish had the Craobh, I was in the least control I’ve ever been. The anger won, and in doing so, I created a rift between us that I need to mend. I need to show her that she can rely on me. I’m hers. Unconditionally. There’s nothing she can say or do that will change that.

Maybe in walking away, I reminded her of all the ways she’s been let down and betrayed by others, and that makes bile churn in my stomach.

“Elsie?”

She turns to face me as she fixes the last of her braid.

“Yeah?”

It’s right there, the unspoken, hovering in the space between us. My mouth opens. Then shuts again.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry.”

Her head cocks to one side and a crease forms between her eyebrows. “For what?”

“For not being there when you needed me. You told me I’m safe with you, but I need you to know that you’re safe with me too.”

I hope she reads the subtext of what I’m saying, and I channel the sincerity of my words along our connection.

She simply says, “I know, Cal. I know.” And drops her eyes from mine.

◆◆◆

We all follow Elsie and Reyne out into a sand-covered courtyard, with training rings delineated by bricks. The entire area is framed by stone archways that jut from the side of the mountain and offer some protection from the breeze whipping through the air. It’s already packed beneath the mid-morning sun, the grunts of Seelie sparring and the clash of weapons a familiar soundtrack that’s been background noise for most of my life.

Brodie and I share a look, impressed at the size of the space, and how well it’s stocked. The entire back wall is lined with weapons of every variety.

We’ve made do for so long, fought hard for every victory and moment of safety, and to have so many resources at our disposal now is enough to make my head spin.

I’m a fucking General of Elfayne.

The fall bite in the air is growing stronger, crisp and refreshing. It’s always been my favorite, and the slight wind is perfect weather for training. My body hungers for it, the strain of my muscles, and the effort of controlling a power that’s begged me to unleash it for over a century.

Our forces have already integrated into the royal army, having arrived yesterday and been given their new orders by Brodie.

Despite some of the noise reported to us about their hesitation, those men and women that followed me loyally are scattered throughout different units, and run the drills that we’ve perfected. Focused on speed, endurance, and being able to outsmart those shadow-wielding fucks.

I appreciate their concerns, but know they will do what’s necessary, as they always have.

The sight is enough to stop Brodie and I in our tracks. This is what we’ve been fighting for. Yes, we’ve bled and sacrificed to stop the Dorche from taking over, but in reality, it was always to expose the truth of the crown. To unite with the soldiers of the royal armies, and come together to defeat them.

Brodie clasps me on the shoulder. “We did it, Brother,” he says only to me. “We finally did it.”

“Aye. We did,” I reply, pride filling me from head to toe.