Page 41 of Desecrated Reign

Signed,

The Kings

After clearing her throat, Saoirse straightens her spine and addresses the group as a whole. “Set up camp, get something to eat, then rest up. We’ll leave at sunrise.”

Thankfully, everyone is too tired to argue, so they all nod in agreement, then get to work setting up for the night.

I pull Saoirse into my chest, and place a kiss on her forehead. “You did great today, baby.”

She peers up at me through her thick lashes, and flashes me a sleepy smile. “Maybe I am cut out for this after all.”

25

SAOIRSE

Exhaustion from the past few days creeps up on me, stretching my mouth into a yawn. What I’d give to crawl into my bed right now and nestle myself between fresh, crisp sheets. Soon, hopefully. Not only that, I’m also in desperate need of a long, hot shower—not only to ease my aching muscles but to rid myself of the stench from two days of non-stop hiking. I’d hate to imagine how grimy I’d feel if we hadn’t found the lagoon yesterday, because as cold as the water was, at least it somewhat freshened me up.

Barely able to open my restless eyes, I squeeze them tight before widening them with a few blinks. I refuse to be the first person who turns in for the night—even though my tent is silently calling my name. So, instead, I curl myself into Rohan’s side as everyone tells stories about their childhood and what it was like growing up in the syndicate world, which is the common ground among everyone here except me.

As my head rests against Rohan’s collar, I focus on the roaring fire before me, losing myself in the hypnotic sway of dancing flames. Still starving after eating the small portion of baked beans, my tummy releases an audible grumble, but I ignore it, refusing to consider another bite. I swear, the sooner we’re off this island, the better; eating lukewarm canned goods for almost every meal gets old fast.

Lost in the flames, I don’t notice Beibhinn approach until she’s standing beside me. “Do you mind if I…?” She gestures to the open space on the log.

“Of course not.” I offer her a seat by sliding further against Rohan’s side, creating a little more room for her to sit.

She’s pensive as she takes a seat, keeping her eyes trained on her hands while fidgeting with the countless rings bejewelling her fingers, each one different and unique.

Rohan’s hand lands on my thigh, giving it a light squeeze before he pushes to his feet. “I’ll leave you girls to talk.”

As he strides towards Aodhán on the far side of the fire, Beibhinn and I remain silent, neither one of us knowing what to say. Finally, after Rohan takes a seat, I pull my gaze away from him, and twist my torso towards Beibhinn, then flash her a soft smile when we both open the conversation at the same time with a genuine, “I’m sorry.”

Gesturing towards me with a brush of her hand, she offers, “You go first. Although, I don’t think you have anything to apologise for.”

“About the engagement—”

“No,” she cuts me off, “you don’t have to say sorry for being in love, Saor. The way I reacted”—she reaches for my hand and covers it with hers—“was out of line. Honestly, it had nothing to do with you and everything to do with Cadden. There is a lot about our story—mine and Cadden’s—that you don’t know, and unfortunately, he manages to bring out the worst parts of me.” Her eyes drift across the fire to where Cadden is watching her with narrowed eyes. With a sharp breath, she brings her gaze back to mine.“I was wound up before I saw your ring.” She tilts her chin towards my left hand. “And I latched onto the hurt and took it out on you because sometimes it’s easier to lash out at those closest to you, and I’m sorry.”

“Don't be,” I insist. “You’re dealing with the loss of your twin, B. And although I love Liam, it can’t compare to the hurt you must be feeling. He was literally your other half.” I give her hand a tight squeeze. “I promise I will never hold your grief against you, and I can even deal with the occasional lashing out because you’re my best friend, and I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She pulls me into a hug, smashing her face into the crook of my neck.

When she finally pulls back, I flash her a sad smile. “Besides, even though you didn’t mean it, you were right in what you said. Liam died because of me.”

Her glacier eyes soften as she pinches her lips together. “He didn’t die because of you, Saoirse. He died because Gabriel and my dad thought they could control the board, not realising they underestimated their opponent. I knew my brother better than he knew himself, and if he could go back in time, he wouldn’t change the events of that night, because in dying, he saved you.”

Tears stream down my cheeks, and I swipe them away with my thumb.

“He’d be glad to know you’re happy. Even if it means you end up with the one guy he hated.” She raises a brow, forcing a laugh to bubble from my chest. “Between you and I, I think Rohan was growing on him.”

“Definitely.”

“So”—she blows a lengthy exhale, the weight of that tough conversation lifting with the slow release—“how are you actually feeling about the engagement? You guys seem like you’re in a really good place.”

“Honestly, we are,” I confirm. “I know everyone thinks we're doing this because of the trials… and in part, we are. But we love each other, and whether it be now or in ten years, we’d eventually head down this path no matter what.”

“I know, and I’m sorry if I made it seem like I doubt that love because I don’t. You’d have to be blind to not see how Rohan looks at you, and you him. Bottom line, your marriage—is there a public facet to it? Sure there is. But they can’t take away what you have in private.”

“He wanted to assure me that we meant more than what is expected of us, which is why he proposed privately. He made it just about us and not what the syndicate expects. Not to mention his speech, which by the way, melted my panties right off,” I add, trying to lighten the sombre mood a little. When I earn a disgusted eye roll from Beibhinn, I know I’ve done just that.

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