Page 182 of The Mirror of Beasts

Caitriona’s eyes met mine, searching.

“She’s the descendant of the first Lady of the Lake,” I said. “The first priestess of Avalon. The sword’s magic only works for her bloodline.”

“Excalibur didn’t fail because it found me unworthy?” Caitriona asked. The ache of her words bit at me.

“No,” I said sharply. “Just because the stupid fire sword works that way, it doesn’t mean all of them do.”

We watched as Neve finally bent and retrieved the shattered pieces of Excalibur, rolling them into her coat for safekeeping.

“Neve,” Caitriona called quietly, her feet already moving her toward the sorceress. At the sound of her name, Neve set the remains of the sword down and crossed the rest of the distance between them. For a moment, Neve and Caitriona stood there, a breath apart from one another, saying nothing.

Olwen hooked her arm through mine, huddling closer for warmth as we watched.

The taller girl looked down, as if afraid of what she might find in Neve’s expression. The sorceress gripped her wrists, drawing them closer to her chest. Only then, when her hands were pressed against Neve’s heart, did Caitriona look up.

“You’re okay,” Neve said softly. “I’ve been so worried about you.”

“I am,” Caitriona said.

Neve gave her an imploring look. “Cait, where have you been?”

Caitriona let out a shaky breath. “I’m sorry. I never should have left.”

“No, you shouldn’t have,” Neve agreed tartly.

Caitriona’s expression turned pained. “I was frightened. Not just of what happened to you, but of what I was becoming. I wanted to protect you, but all along, I know I was the one who hurt you most. The things I’ve said to you … I could die of shame.”

“But you understand now, don’t you,” Neve said. “The choice Morgan and the others made in seeking their revenge.”

Caitriona swallowed thickly and nodded.

“Could you …,” she began again uncertainly. “Could you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?”

“Oh, Cait,” Neve said, her face shining with happiness. “Forgive you? How could I not?”

Caitriona’s gaze shot up, meeting Neve’s again.

“Here’s the thing, the really inconvenient, bewildering, wonderful thing,” Neve said. “I love you and I don’t want to be apart from you. Not just because you are noble and beautiful and so many other wonderful things, but because you make me brave, and you make me want to be stronger, so I can fight alongside you.”

She continued on breathlessly, not allowing herself to back down now that she’d begun. “It’s not the love of a sister, and it’s more than the love of a friend, just to be clear. And you don’t have to feel the same way, not ever, but I wanted you to know.”

A single leaf would have knocked Caitriona off her feet. Her face flushed with color—with awe.

Neve truly was the bravest person I knew; the way she could stand there, open herself up to whatever answer might come next. To hand someone her love, and not fear it being returned, shattered.

Olwen looked between them, delighted. I felt it too, but the effervescence wasn’t enough to drive out the sharp pain lodged in my chest. My mind drew up images of Emrys in the dark, his slow smile as he bent his head over mine.

But all of it fell away, leaving only those last moments. I’d stay.

I felt him here, all around us—somehow I felt him.

“So … yeah,” Neve finished. “That’s what I wanted to tell you. That’s what I promised myself I’d tell you when I found you. If we survived this. I would love it if you said something right about now, because otherwise I’m just going to keep nervously talking—”

“You …,” Caitriona said hoarsely. She seemed stunned. It was another moment before she could collect herself. “You have stolen into my waking dreams and been the keeper of my heart from the moment I laid eyes upon you.”

The apprehension faded from Neve’s face, and her smile was radiant with joy. “Oh, well, if that’s the case—would you mind terribly if I kissed you?”

Caitriona freed her hands, only so that she could take Neve’s face between them. As she leaned down, brushing their lips together softly, I realized I was staring and quickly turned around, offering them a moment of privacy, then forced Olwen to turn too.

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