“So it is done.”
Some remained, murmuring among themselves as Keegan walked to the families. Others, Breen noted, slipped away. She saw Shana, a green cloak trimmed in gold, with a man in black and silver, deep brown hair a sweep around a narrow, handsome face.
He lifted her hand and kissed it, and she leaned into him to whisper something in his ear that made him smile. Together they wound through the crowd and away.
Breen wondered if the man noticed Shana looked back once, fixed her gaze on Keegan.
“Man, that was beautiful. Tore me up.” Marco knuckled a tear away. “You told me how they did all this, but seeing it …wrecked me.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder. “Right there with you.” She took his hand again as they started back in. “Where are you meeting Brian?”
“Oh, right about here. He just needs to, you know, land, then he’s, like, off duty. We talked about maybe getting dinner or something. You should come with us.”
“Oh yeah, that’s just what I’ll do.” She drilled a finger in his side. “Idiot.”
“I’m not leaving you on your own.”
“Truth? I’m actually ready for some on my own—with my dog. Maybe write a little, then turn in early.”
“You gotta eat something, girl, and Brian said something about a pub. The Cackling Chicken or Ugly Duck or like that.”
“Honest to God, besides refusing to be a third wheel on your romantic reunion, I don’t have a pub meal in me tonight. I want some quiet time, Marco.”
“Let me see your face.” He gripped it, turned it, studied it. “Okay, that’s the truth, so I’ll let you off. But you need to eat something.”
“Minga said just to ask, so when I’m hungry, I’ll ask. Stop worrying about me. Especially since I see your hot new boyfriend coming this way.”
When Marco turned, and the stars popped back into his eyes, Breen signaled to the dog and escaped.
Marco just stood, heart tripping, then extended a hand as Brian reached for it.
“I need to say that was the most moving ceremony or ritual or whatever it’s called I’ve ever seen.”
“You wept,” Brian said, and traced a finger under one of Marco’s damp eyes.
“I was just telling Breen—” He broke off when he realized she’d gone inside.
“Is she coming back then? Isn’t she going with us?”
“She said she wanted some quiet, and since I could see she meant it, I let her off.” Then he looked back at Brian, and couldn’t think of anything else. “Do you want to go to the pub right now?”
“I don’t, no. I was thinking later for that. Later.”
“Later’s good.” Stepping in, Marco put a hand on Brian’s cheek. “So for now, your place or mine?”
With a grin, Brian gave him a light kiss that promised more. “Yours is closer.”
Kiara caught Breen just before she reached her room.
“I was after finding you!” She wore red—not bright but deep and dark with her hair tied back with a black ribbon. “My mother wanted me— Oh, first, I have to say I love your cloak.”
She reached out to touch it. “So soft! Simple beauty and it looks so well on you, and with the dress. Simple often looks dull on me, but it shines on you.”
A genuine compliment, Breen judged. “Thanks. I didn’t see you outside. There were so many people. It was all so beautiful.”
“A Leaving is sad and lovely all at once.”
“Did you know any of the fallen?”
“Aye. All.” Her voice wavered. “I knew all.”
“I’m so sorry, Kiara.” Instinctively, Breen took her hands. “I’m so sorry.”
“As I am. But it’s a comfort to know they walk in the light now. It helps thinking of them in the light. My mother would like to say you’re welcome to sup with her and my father, as Tarryn and the taoiseach have duties. Or if you and Marco and this sweet dog want the more lively, some of us are going to the village, and you’re welcome to join us.”
“I appreciate that, but—”
“She said as well you might be weary after such a long day, and want a meal in your room. And not to pester you if you did. I pester,” she admitted without shame. “I like talking, and I’ve so many questions, as I’ve never been to your part of the other side.”
Breen had to laugh. “I’m going with my room for tonight, but I’d love to talk another time, and try to answer your questions.”
“Well, that’s perfect then. I could do your hair in the morning. I can’t do it for you before the Welcome, as I’m already promised, but I would love to do your hair. It’s glorious.”
“That would …yes. Great. Thank you.”
“Oh, it’s my pleasure, and that’s the truth of it. So I’ll find you in the morning, before the Judgment. And I’ll see a meal’s brought for you. And Marco?”
“He’s going out with a friend.”
“Ah.” Her eyes danced. “Well, a meal for you, and your fine boy here.” She bent down to rub an enchanted Bollocks. “In the morning then, and if you change your mind, we’ll be at the Spotted Duck.”
She dashed away, leaving Breen smiling as she went into her room.
The fire still simmered, but she gave it a boost, lit the candles and lamps. She wanted to change into pajamas, but since she’d have to walk Bollocks outside before bed, she decided to stay in the dress.
With Bollocks already curled up in front of the fire, she sat at the desk. She would, at another point in her story, incorporate a Leaving, but for now, her characters needed a little quiet, too. And some happy, maybe a hint of romance.
Because the dark there would creep in before much longer.
After she’d written a little, and while she and Bollocks sat down to the meal a couple of cheerful teenagers brought them, Marco and Brian lay tangled together in the bed in the next room.
With his eyes closed, Brian stroked Marco’s back. “I’ve thought of this almost since the moment I first saw you, standing on the road, your eyes full of wonder. Now I find my thoughts were small and thin compared to the having of you.”
“Maybe we could just stay here, like this, for—I don’t know—ever.”
With a laugh, Brian shifted a bit so they lay nose to nose. “We could wander our way to the village for food and music, then find our way back. Right here again. I would stay with you tonight if you’ll have me.”
“I’ll have you tonight, tomorrow, any night you want. I know that’s moving fast, but—”
“No. Not for me, no, not with you.”
“It’s all just racing through me, you know? Everything.” He pressed his lips to Brian’s, then drew the warrior’s braid through his fingers. “I was so scared, watching what was happening in the fire. Breen made it so I could see, because I needed to see. You. All the smoke, the blood—”
“Don’t think of it now, mo chroí.”
“No, I want to say, I saw you. I saw you fighting. Flying and fighting, tearing through the smoke. And I saw why, and I always … War sucks, Brian. It just sucks, but I saw why you had to. Most of this, for me, it’s been like a fairy tale, right? Some weird parts, sure. Some jump scares, but mostly the seriously cool. I knew I’d stick with Breen no matter what, for the duration, but—”
“Because loyalty is who you are.” Brian trailed a finger down Marco’s cheek, down his throat, then up again. “It’s your great gift. I love this gift.”
“She’s my girl. Thick and thin. But I saw you, and the others. What you were fighting and why. And tonight, I saw all this, and what it meant. A hell of a long way from the Gayborhood.”
Brian smiled. “This is your place on the other side?”
“Yeah, and I really want to show it to you sometime. Show you off to Sally and Derrick and the gang. But right now? I’m here, and I’m in all the way. For Breen, for you, for, ah, the light. I’m crap at fighting, but—”