Page 155 of Ulune's Daughter

I expect a small laugh and then a self-deprecating remark. But my mate surprises me.

“I’m learning my own value,” she says, a note of quiet confidence in her voice that I haven’t heard before. “Some of it is the success of the exhibit. Some of it is being back at Bevington. I’ve always felt at home there. Some of it is you. And Rhodes. Don’t scoff. Some of it’s even your brother. I didn’t think anyone could be as excited about my research as I am, but he is. He did the most amazing thing today. He showed me complete loyalty. It blew me away. And for once, I didn’t question it. I know what we’re doing is worth that kind of loyalty. So, thank you for the part you’ve had in that.”

“You’re welcome. I notice you didn’t say anything about what you’re becoming. That has value, too. I know it still frightens you. But you have already done great things with your power, Kellan. I can’t wait to see what else you will do.”

She rubs her cheek against my shoulder. “It still scares me. But maybe a little less than it did yesterday and the day before. Thank you for that, too. For helping me see it’s not something to fight against. There might be good parts to it.”

I kiss the top of her head, hoping she’ll feel the pressure and warmth through the bag. “Here, let’s take this off. We’re almost there.” I stop and help lift the bag off her head, smoothing down her mane and kissing her on the forehead. “I promise I will help you find every good part of being a Crow Queen, my mate. I swear there will be many good parts.”

“You’re a good part.” She smiles up at me. “Did you know? The whole Crow Queen thing? Is it a Cait prophesy or something?”

“No.” I stroke her hair back from her face. “The Cait don’t have prophesies. At least none I’m aware of. We can ask the Cait who waits for us.”

Kellan glances down the path. Nestled between the pines is a long, low, stone hall with no windows. As a kit, I thought of our Trophy House as Valhalla, the place the souls of Cait warriors rested among their triumphs. That was before my fifteenth birthday, when all young Cait are told the truth of what waits for us after death.

Whatwaitedfor us after death. Now what waits for us is the peace of the Court of Cold Mist. Thanks to my magnificent mate.

“Your dad?” Kellan asks, peering at the shaggy-haired figure waiting for us beside the door of the Trophy House. “No, oh. It’s Struan. Struan!”

He waves and runs down the path to us. He leans in for the greeting of our kind, then throws his arms around Kellan.

“That’s from Teddy,” he tells her, hugging her tightly. “That’s from Rachel. That’s from Darwin. That’s from Charlie. And that’s from Cupcake, although I’m not sure why he’d call himself that.”

She laughs her rich laugh. “I’ll explain another time.”

I chuff. No one should be her cupcake but me.

She rolls her eyes at me. “It’s not what you think.”

“I’d have one from Evan,” Struan tells us. “But it’s been a difficult day.”

Kellan’s expression sobers. “He’s been in that awful place for seven years. I’m sure he felt we’d abandoned him. There’s no way it could have been an easy day.”

“The Capricorns have a claim on him. He’s gone back to their Guild for the night.”

Kellan shakes her head, looking pensive. “Poor Rach. Could you pass her a message from me? Let her know I’m here if she needs a shoulder.”

“Of course.” He turns slightly and hands me a small, leather pouch. “For you. That was not easily won. Eoghan is bizarrely defensive of his hair.”

I open the pouch and draw out a thin crimson length. “Thank you. I wasn’t able to take a trophy, knowing I was going into battle.”

Struan bows his head. “I should have recovered a trophy for you as I returned to court. Forgive me for forgetting. It’s not a custom I’ve much chance to observe at Thistlemist.”

I squeeze his shoulder. “Nothing to forgive. Thank you for this.”

He bows from the waist. “Until the All-fire.”

“Until the All-fire,” I confirm. “After Twelfth Night, perhaps you’d like to come to Italy with me? Cathmoir has approved a new den. I’m taking a dozen warriors and scouting a hundred miles in each direction, ensuring there are neither high fae nor Mirk. I’d be honored if you’d join me.”

Struan bumps shoulders and cheeks with me. “The honor’s mine.”

“I’ll send word.”

He turns back to Kellan. “Cupcake promises he’d call as soon as Princess Teddy goes into labor.”

“Give them all my love. And kisses from Auntie Kells for the babies.”

“I will.” With a last hug, Struan bounds off into the Fae Ways.

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