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He raised his closed fist to knock when he heard his father’s voice. “Cillian, come in, I’ve been waiting for you.”
Cillian lowered his arm, turned the handle, and stepped into the room. Thomas Beck’s chambers were similar to his cabin. A large bed rested on the left wall, and there was a small kitchenette on the right, with a table and chairs in it. His father sat in an upholstered chair in front of the stone fireplace opposite the door.
Cillian moved across the room and looked upon his father. The room smelled of eucalyptus, a concoction the healer used daily to help Thomas breathe more easily.
With stiff movements, Thomas reached for his cane and slowly stood, his heavy breaths filling the air as he said, “Let me look at you.” He reached out and rested his hand on Cillian’s shoulder.
His father stood half a foot shorter than him. His hazel eyes searched Cillian’s features, and he smiled, causing the lines around his eyes to deepen. “It’s good to see you, kid. I was told—”
Cillian placed his hand over his father’s and helped him back into his seat. “I’m alive and well, Dad.”
Thomas’s coloring had worsened since he last saw him. His pale, gray skin made Cillian’s heart plummet. How much time did his father have left?
Thomas’s chest rose and fell with harsh movements as he settled back into the chair. “Your brother has told me you came with a woman.”
Cillian sat in the chair across from his father and leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. “Yes, it’s Eva Wolf, Dad. She found me injured after the general stole one of my bombs. He tried to blow up the Everwood’s caravan. I tried to stop it, but I lost Scott and Adam, t-they saved my life.” He swallowed hard, then continued. “I-I sustained an abdominal injury and some memory loss. Everwood took me in, thinking I was from the Skyline Sanctuary. I only recently retained my past memories.”
Thomas nodded as Cillian spoke, absorbing the information, the soft wheeze of his breaths the only other sound in the room.
“Albert Rush has committed treason, Dad. He went against your orders and has taken over Everwood. Eva and I barely made it out alive.”
Thomas’s fist connected with the arm of the chair. “That son of a bitch has just been biding his time. I knew he didn’t agree with the peace treaty, but I had no idea he was capable of this.”
Cillian leaned back against the chair and clutched his forehead. “General Rush has gathered a small army of Others to help him. I believe he has a handful of soldiers from Stone Haven that are loyal to him too.”
Thomas pressed his lips into a thin line as he nodded. “I know some of the citizens and soldiers don’t want to share with Everwood. They wish for blood and a full takeover like Albert has done. Some would side with him.”
Cillian dropped his hand to the arm of the chair and dug his fingers into the red velvety fabric. “The majority still side with you, Dad. They trust your judgment and remember all you have done for them over the years. They will be loyal to you.”
Thomas’s eyes lowered as he considered Cillian’s words. “I fear this will start a civil war—divide the people of the settlement. I could be challenged for leadership—”
“It won’t come to that. The people love you—they will follow your lead.”
Thomas formed a weak smile as his eyes met Cillian’s. “Tell me, do you know if Everwood was going to accept the peace treaty?”
Cillian’s blood ran cold. “I do. Eva was going to accept the terms. But I don’t think—”
His father clapped his hands together. “That is joyous news. There is hope yet. Of course, as heir, it will be you she would wed. But we may be able to prevent a civil war with this information. Uniting the settlements is still—”
Heat flooded Cillian’s cheeks, and he stood without warning. “No.” He moved to the mantel and rested against it. “I won’t have her marry me out of obligations. Eva, s-she’s...”
He couldn’t finish the sentence. Couldn’t tell his father he wanted to marry Eva because she held his whole damn heart in her hands. Not for some arrangement she was obligated to enter. He wouldn’t force her into a marriage she didn’t want.
His father laughed briefly before he sucked in a gulp of air, the laugh turning into a cough. Cillian turned to his father, but Thomas waved him off.
Once the fit was over, Thomas said, “You love her, kid?”
Cillian sat in the chair once more and hung his head. “Yes.”
Thomas reached out and touched his arm. “Cillian, in this crazy world we live in, I wish nothing more for you than for you to find love. Especially if that love saves both your settlements. If we are to go to war against the general and the Others for Everwood, Stone Haven soldiers are going to need incentive. They have families they need to provide for. Announce the peace treaty has been agreed to. And once we evict the traitors, provisions and land will be shared, just as the peace treaty states. Give them something to fight for. They won’t risk their lives for nothing.”
Cillian’s head pounded as he thought over what his father said. Having the peace treaty stand would solve some of their problems.
A knock sounded at the door, breaking the silence.
“Enter,” Thomas said.
Becky, the healer, stepped into the room. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had company. It’s time for your breathing treatment, Thomas.”
