Chapter 19
Cillian strode down the snow-covered street of Stone Haven, cursing himself that Eva had sustained an injury yesterday. He had told himself that she needed space, to absorb everything that had happened, but her injury flipped a switch inside him, and he just wanted to take care of her. He did his best this morning not to smother her.
The village was just starting to stir with activity. Wood smoke and scents of cooking food filled the air. He didn’t miss the occasional gasp and whispers from the people as they emerged from their homes for their daily duties, staring after him.
As he neared the main hall where his father’s chambers were, one man, George, stepped toward him. He removed his tattered cap from his silver-streaked hair as he said, “Cillian, is that you, man? We thought we lost you. Your father is going to be so happy to see you.”
Cillian tilted his chin in acknowledgment. “I appreciate that, George, but have you by chance seen my brother, Liam?”
He saw his brother briefly yesterday when he came through the gates with a shotgun and killed one of the Others who was attacking them. Liam had helped him get Eva to his cabin and sent for the healer. He would need to brief Liam on the turn of events at some point as well. Yesterday, his concern was getting Eva to safety and tending to her wounds.
George pointed toward the gate tower. “I believe he is on guard duty.”
“Thank you, George.”
George’s voice trailed after Cillian as he turned to climb the stairs to the hall.
“It really is good to see you, Cillian. You are a sight for these sore eyes.”
His gut swam with unease knowing the residents may not be as thrilled to have him back when news of the general’s betrayal spread.
The citizens of Stone Haven had been waiting to hear if the peace treaty had been agreed to. They desperately needed the fighting to stop and the provisions the land Everwood sat upon to be shared. Their lives depended on it.
Now, the general had stolen not only Everwood but also hope for the people of Stone Haven. They may be able to survive the bitter months if they rationed, but it would be rough for his people.
Cillian entered the hall and turned up a short flight of stairs to the loft, where his father lived.As he approached the door, he took a deep breath. How was his father’s health? Would he be able to speak with him long?
He raised his closed fist to knock when he heard his father’s voice. “Cillian, come in, I’ve been waiting for you.”
Cillian lowered his arm, turned the handle, and stepped into the room. Thomas Beck’s chambers were similar to his cabin. A large bed rested on the left wall, and there was a small kitchenette on the right, with a table and chairs in it. His father sat in an upholstered chair in front of the stone fireplace opposite the door.
Cillian moved across the room and looked upon his father. The room smelled of eucalyptus, a concoction the healer used daily to help Thomas breathe more easily.
With stiff movements, Thomas reached for his cane and slowly stood, his heavy breaths filling the air as he said, “Let me look at you.” He reached out and rested his hand on Cillian’s shoulder.
His father stood half a foot shorter than him. His hazel eyes searched Cillian’s features, and he smiled, causing the lines around his eyes to deepen. “It’s good to see you, kid. I was told—”
Cillian placed his hand over his father’s and helped him back into his seat. “I’m alive and well, Dad.”
Thomas’s coloring had worsened since he last saw him. His pale, gray skin made Cillian’s heart plummet. How much time did his father have left?
Thomas’s chest rose and fell with harsh movements as he settled back into the chair. “Your brother has told me you came with a woman.”
Cillian sat in the chair across from his father and leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “Yes, it’s Eva Wolf, Dad. She found me injured after the general stole one of my bombs. He tried to blow up the Everwood’s caravan. I tried to stop it, but I lost Scott and Adam, t-they saved my life.” He swallowed hard, then continued. “I-I sustained an abdominal injury and some memory loss. Everwood took me in, thinking I was from the Skyline Sanctuary. I only recently retained my past memories.”
Thomas nodded as Cillian spoke, absorbing the information, the soft wheeze of his breaths the only other sound in the room.
“Albert Rush has committed treason, Dad. He went against your orders and has taken over Everwood. Eva and I barely made it out alive.”
Thomas’s fist connected with the arm of the chair. “That son of a bitch has just been biding his time. I knew he didn’t agree with the peace treaty, but I had no idea he was capable of this.”
Cillian leaned back against the chair and clutched his forehead. “General Rush has gathered a small army of Others to help him. I believe he has a handful of soldiers from Stone Haven that are loyal to him too.”
Thomas pressed his lips into a thin line as he nodded. “I know some of the citizens and soldiers don’t want to share with Everwood. They wish for blood and a full takeover like Albert has done. Some would side with him.”
Cillian dropped his hand to the arm of the chair and dug his fingers into the red velvety fabric. “The majority still side with you, Dad. They trust your judgment and remember all you have done for them over the years. They will be loyal to you.”
Thomas’s eyes lowered as he considered Cillian’s words. “I fear this will start a civil war—divide the people of the settlement. I could be challenged for leadership—”
“It won’t come to that. The people love you—they will follow your lead.”
Thomas formed a weak smile as his eyes met Cillian’s. “Tell me, do you know if Everwood was going to accept the peace treaty?”
Cillian’s blood ran cold. “I do. Eva was going to accept the terms. But I don’t think—”
His father clapped his hands together. “That is joyous news. There is hope yet. Of course, as heir, it will be you she would wed. But we may be able to prevent a civil war with this information. Uniting the settlements is still—”
Heat flooded Cillian’s cheeks, and he stood without warning. “No.” He moved to the mantel and rested against it. “I won’t have her marry me out of obligations. Eva, s-she’s...”
He couldn’t finish the sentence. Couldn’t tell his father he wanted to marry Eva because she held his whole damn heart in her hands. Not for some arrangement she was obligated to enter. He wouldn’t force her into a marriage she didn’t want.
His father laughed briefly before he sucked in a gulp of air, the laugh turning into a cough. Cillian turned to his father, but Thomas waved him off.
Once the fit was over, Thomas said, “You love her, kid?”
Cillian sat in the chair once more and hung his head. “Yes.”
Thomas reached out and touched his arm. “Cillian, in this crazy world we live in, I wish nothing more for you than for you to find love. Especially if that love saves both your settlements. If we are to go to war against the general and the Others for Everwood, Stone Haven soldiers are going to need incentive. They have families they need to provide for. Announce the peace treaty has been agreed to. And once we evict the traitors, provisions and land will be shared, just as the peace treaty states. Give them something to fight for. They won’t risk their lives for nothing.”
Cillian’s head pounded as he thought over what his father said. Having the peace treaty stand would solve some of their problems.
A knock sounded at the door, breaking the silence.
“Enter,” Thomas said.
Becky, the healer, stepped into the room. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had company. It’s time for your breathing treatment, Thomas.”
Thomas nodded and said, “Just a minute, Becky.” Turning to face Cillian and leaning forward, he said, “Think about it, Cillian. Talk with her. I won’t be around forever, you and Eva are the future of this world, and it needs strong leaders. These are the tough choices you will both face. I have faith you’ll make the right decisions... You still have that item I gave you?”
Cillian inhaled deeply. “I do.”
Thomas cleared his throat and leaned back, clutching the arm of the chair. “Good. I want you to know I never wanted this feud, Cillian. I think we were all scared, and I’m so damn sorry I didn’t try to find peace sooner. Don’t have the same regrets I do, kid. If you have a chance for peace and to do the right thing, take it.”
Cillian stood and gripped his father’s shoulder. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll come by tomorrow to see you.”
“I’d like that. I love you, kid.”
Cillian smiled. “I love you too, Dad.” As he moved to the door, he passed Becky and said, “Take good care of him.”
Her brown eyes lit up. “It’s good to have you home, Cillian. I’ll stop by this afternoon to check on Eva, I have a salve for her ankle.”
Cillian nodded. “Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”
Becky smiled, her eyes going wide. “Oh, I almost forgot, I rounded up some clothes and personal items for her. I’ll bring them with me.”
“You’re a lifesaver, Becky, see you in a bit.”
Cillian turned and shut the door behind him, then rested his head against the wood. He had a lot to think about. A lot that could change the course of not only the war and the settlements but his own life. He squeezed his eyes shut and resisted the urge to slam his fist into the wall. Why couldn’t things ever be simple?
By the time Cillian made it back to the cabin, big snowflakes were falling from the sky. He would talk to his brother Liam tomorrow. Right now, his brain was working overtime, trying to think of the best way to talk to Eva about the peace treaty.
His muscles tensed as he unlocked the door and stepped inside. Eva was sitting up in bed, petting Axel, who was practically lying in her lap.
He snorted. “Best friends now, are you?”
As Eva scratched Axel’s chin, she smiled. His best friend rolled over onto his back, stuck his feet straight up in the air, and let his tongue hang out of the side of his mouth. When she giggled at his position, Cillian’s heart skipped a beat at the sound.
He couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face or stop the words that flew out of his mouth. “You can look as cute as you want, Axel, but she’s still mine. You can’t have her.”
As soon as he realized what he’d said, he snapped his jaw shut. She was looking at him, her features serious now. They stayed like that for several seconds before he turned to hang his coat, then moved to the kitchen.
Pretending like he hadn’t just tried to claim her, he said, “Have you eaten? I was thinking about making something. It won’t be the meals you’re accustomed to at Everwood, but I can promise your stomach won’t be growling after.”
“Food sounds good, but I’m anxious to hear how the conversation went with your father.”
“How about eggs and potatoes?” He laughed. “Eggs are the one food we seem to have enough of.”
He opened the cabinet, removed the items, and set them on the counter. As he peeled the potatoes, he heard Eva move off the bed and her soft, uneven footsteps as she walked toward him.She put her hand on his shoulder and turned him to face her.
“It’s bad, isn’t it? It’s okay.” She took a deep breath. “I can handle it.”
He nodded. “Why don’t you sit down, we’ll talk.” He motioned for her to sit in the chair near the fireplace.
Once she was settled, he added a couple logs to the fire and stoked the coals. Then he turned to her and knelt on one knee, taking her hands in his. He looked to the floor and swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. She deserved the right words.
“Cillian, what’s going on?”
He rubbed his thumb over her silky skin as he considered his options, his skin heating as the seconds ticked by. Just tell her how you feel!
Mustering up his courage, he said, “Eva, I know our relationship is complicated and we still have a lot to learn about each other. I know you’re confused and hurt by all that has happened.”
Her mouth parted, and she inhaled slowly, as if she knew what his next words would be. “Cillian—”
He reached out and took hold of a lock of her hair. “But I hope I have become someone you can trust and rely on.”
His eyes moved up the column of her neck, and he watched her heart beat beneath her skin. “And dare I say, maybe even care for.”
Her gasp was audible, but there was no turning back now.
“Eva, I told you once that my heart beat for you, and I want you to know it still does.”
Her eyes welled with unshed tears, and he cupped the side of her face.
“When I found out that Everwood was going to be attacked by the general, I rushed back to the settlement, not to prove something to you or hope you would choose me, but because I just couldn’t stand to see you or Everwood hurt. I wanted to prevent that from happening. Even if we didn’t end up together. I just wanted to protect you and the place you love so much.” He took a shaky breath. “But now, I’m asking you to choose me. I don’t want you to just say yes for the peace treaty or to save Everwood. I want you to say yes because it is me you would be marrying.”
A tear slid down her cheek, and he used his thumb to swipe it away. “Don’t cry, Angel.”
He stood and retrieved a small box from the mantel. Holding the box in his hand, he removed his mother’s ring. His father had given it to him when he told him of the peace treaty he was going to send to Everwood. So much had happened since that day.
He sank to his knee once more and held it up for her to view. “If you say yes, I promise to do everything in my power to make you happy. I promise to love and protect you all the days of my life. And I promise that we will avenge Everwood. Evangeline Wolf... I should probably learn your middle name.” She laughed and wiped at her cheeks, and he asked, “Will you marry me?”