Page 34 of Desecrated Reign

For the next half hour, we work in silence, piecing the tents together, until both of them are pitched. Stepping back to admire our work,Shannon stands with her hand resting on her brow, shading her eyes from the evening sun. “I mean, it’s no five-star hotel, but this view makes it worth it. All we need now is a fire, so we can warm up some of the food, and I’ll be in heaven.”

“Brodie and I will look after it,” Rohan offers. “Why don’t you two chill out for a bit while we collect some firewood.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Shannon strips off her clothes, and before I know it, she’s down to her underwear and diving into the lagoon head first. When she breaches the surface, she tosses her wet, auburn hair from her face with a splutter. Her teeth clatter with the cold, but it doesn’t stop her from flopping onto her back and spreading her arms and legs out like a starfish. “Are you coming in, Saoirse? It’s a wee bit chilly, but it feels amazing on my aching limbs.”

A small chuckle breaks past my lips at her antics, and judging by the chatter of her teeth, I’d say it’s colder in there than she is letting on. “Maybe in a little bit.” My gaze scales the rock etched into the earth and climbing towards the sky. “I’ve something I want to do first. But after that, you’re on.”

Satisfied by my answer, she dives back in, head and arms erupting through the surface with every stroke.Breaking away from the group, I ease myself up the edge of the small cliff, being cautious with every step. The algae-covered stones make it hard to find grip, but after a few attempts, I finally find the right path. It takes longer than I’d thought, but when I reach the top, peering back out across the island to the west-coast shoreline, I know the little grazes on my hands from the sharp rocks were worth it cause the sky is stunning.

The clouds stand out, appearing three-dimensional as a blend of grey hues outline each one, reminding me of the piercing eyes that haunt my nightmares and wander my dreams. Through the cracks, the sun peeks in, shimmering golden-orange rays of light as it lowers in the sky.

Dropping to a seated position, I draw my knees to my chest and circle my arms around my legs. “Day one of the second trial, Liam. I don’t want to jinx it, but so far, it seems to be going pretty well.”

I pause, almost waiting for a response I know isn’t coming, then I take in a heavy breath and sigh it out. Allowing myself to submit to nature’s silence, I wash away all the anxiety and stress of today, focusing on the chirping birds, the rushing water, and the swishing of the evening breeze.

As the sun falls to meet the horizon, the sky darkens from light grey and orange to a royal blue, purple, and amber blend.

I tip my chin and close my eyes, savouring how it reflects off my face. “Good night, Liam.” I whisper. “Until tomorrow.”

21

ROHAN

I’ve been sitting next to the fire Brodie and I built for the best part of an hour, while doing everything I can to keep my arse planted on this log. My eyes keep betraying me, drifting towards the top of the waterfall every couple of seconds—where Saoirse has been sitting, arms curled around her shins as she watches the sun go down.

Needing to ease the tetchiness bouncing my legs, I reach into my pocket and pull out my cigarette case and Zippo lighter. Once my smoke is lit, I drag in a toke, allowing the nicotine to scorch my lungs and erase some of my unease. Then, tilting my head back, I exhale a cloud of smoke into the air, watching as the intoxicating swirls curl in the breeze.

“Can I bum one of those?” Brodie drops onto the log next to me, pointing towards my cigarette with a quick flick of his chin.

“Sure.” I flip opening the silver case and pass him a smoke. Once he has it settled between his lips, I raise my Zippo and spark the flint, igniting the green-and-blue flame.

“Thanks, man.”

Acknowledging him with a chin flick of my own, I quickly divert my gaze back towards the waterfall, eyes raising until finally, Saoirse comes back into my line of vision.

“You know, you could just join her, right?” Brodie’s brows move in opposite directions, one narrowing and the other grazing his hairline.

I rest my elbow on my knees and stare down at my feet. “I’m good.”

From across our makeshift fire pit, I feel Shannon’s eyes on me. So, raising my attention, I stare back. “Something to say, McIlveen?”

I don’t know too much about Shannon other than she’s part of the Ulster syndicate, and her family is loyal to Lorcan and the Reillys, but after spending the day with her, she seems like a nice girl. She almost reminds me a little of Beibhinn, only much softer but still not afraid to speak her mind.

“Yes, actually… You should stop sitting here with a face that resembles a wee wet kitten, and go watch the sunset with your fiancée.”

“She’s not wrong,” Brodie adds. “You won’t get many chances to enjoy a view like that again.”

I can’t argue with them, because they’re not wrong. This place is magical, and I can only imagine what it looks like from up there. And although I’d love nothing more than to climb up the rocks and enjoy it with Saoirse, I won’t.

Placing my hands on my thighs, I push to a stand. Then I steal one more glance at the beautiful girl holding herself together as she stares out at the horizon. Finally, I bring my gaze back to Brodie and Shannon. “She may be mine, but her sunsets never were.” And they never will be. Needing a minute to clear my thoughts, I strip off my T-shirt and track bottoms and head for the lagoon. “I’m going for a swim.”

I spend the next thirty minutes treading water, trying to occupy my thoughts with every stroke, but nothing seems to be working, and although I’m trying to be supportive of Saoirse’s feelings, some days are harder than others, because I know no matter how much she loves me, I will never have all of her—and coming to terms with that is a tough pill, even if I am prepared to swallow it.

Diving underwater, I wash away the insecurities. Saoirse will always love Liam, but it doesn’t mean she loves me any less. If anything, losing him has made us stronger than ever.Sure, the sunsets will always be his, but I need to learn to let her have those moments and find a way to love her through the darkness that comes after.

I rise with clarity, breaching the water’s surface, and everything comes into focus, because there she is, treading water next to me, a lost girl finding her way home. She closes the distance between us, then wraps her arms around my neck, keeping herself afloat.

“Everything okay?” Concern furrows her brow as she searches my gaze for the truth.

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