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Eva’s heart thundered in her ears. She didn’t even hear Cillian’s approach as he laid a hand on her shoulder.
She jumped, and a nervous giggle erupted out of her. “You scared me.”
Cillian slid his hand down her back. “I’m sorry, Angel. You looked pretty deep in thought. Are you still sure about this?”
She took a long inhale once more in an effort to calm her trembling nerves. “I am.”
Everwood being overtaken had shattered her confidence. The fear she had for her people and her father consumed her. She needed to take steps toward saving them. That would help her trust herself once more, wouldn’t it?
Cillian’s right hand rested on the door handle, but he hesitated. His left brushed against hers, and she opened her fist, not realizing she had curled it into a ball, and laced her fingers with his.
He turned and closed the space between them, whispering in her ear, “Just remember, I got you.”
A smile crept onto her face, and she squeezed his hand. He rested his forehead against hers, and she closed her eyes, letting his scent calm her even more. “I know you do.”
For the first time in a long time, relief washed over her. She wasn’t alone in her fight; she had a partner ready to face the battle right alongside her. Someone whose fire burned just as brightly as hers.
He pulled the door open and stepped out into the hall. Eva silently thanked Becky for the walking cast she lent her and trailed behind him. Their hands were still linked as Cillian stepped into the entrance to the hall.
The roar of the people took her by surprise. There were more citizens of Stone Haven than she thought.
He climbed the stairs to the stage and faced the crowd, and she straightened before them. So many had their eyes on her as silence spread throughout the room.
Cillian’s strong, confident voice rang out. “Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I know it’s late, but as heir, I believe it to be my duty to alert the community to any new events that affect them.”
Eva scanned the crowd. Most of the faces looked to her with curious eyes, some even seemed excited about her attendance, as if they knew who she was and what it meant for them. But others had looks of contempt.
Cillian tightened his hold as if he had known her confidence had wavered, then went on. “First off, I’m not dead—as you can see. Second, General Rush has seized Everwood and is claiming it as his own. A treasonous act against Stone Haven. As most of you know, we had entered into a cease-fire with Everwood as peace negotiations were being settled.”
He cleared his throat and looked to her. “This is Evangeline Wolf, the daughter of Samuel Wolf, leader of Everwood.” His eyes remained on her as the crowd began to talk among themselves. “She is the best person I have ever met and one of the bravest. I stand before you tonight to tell you I have asked her to be my wife, uniting the settlements, and she has honored me by saying yes.”
Shouts of approval from the crowd met her ears, and her heart swelled from Cillian’s words.Eva smiled at him—Mother Earth, she loved this man. She made a mental note to tell him just how she felt and soon, but right now wasn’t the time.
Her eyes darted around the room, her confidence regaining its strength. There were still a few hateful smirks on some of the men, but they were the minority.Most of the citizens were filled with joy, celebrating her presence in their settlement. These people needed her—needed the joining of the settlements that their marriage would bring. Today, she would make her mom proud.
She took a step forward, still holding tightly onto Cillian’s hand. “Together, we will take back Everwood and prosper as one!”
The crowd cheered and clapped—cementing her decision. She felt it deep within her, a rising of hope.
What will you do when the odds are stacked against you?
Be the hope.
She looked over the room once more and leaned intoCillian, who stood tall next to her. He looked at her as one would gaze at a setting sun. In awe.
Together, they could save their people.
She nodded at him, and as one, they lifted their joined hands.The people of Stone Haven went wild with excitement. Their greatest hope was within their grasp.
A crash sounded to her right, drawing her attention. The side door to the hall had whipped open, slamming into the wall. A rush of wind and snow soared into the room, along with a man who pushed through the crowd.
“Move out of the way, I need to speak to him. Cillian!”The man raised his arms to get their attention.
Cillian stepped to the edge of the stage. “Quiet down, everyone. Let him through.”
Eva leaned into Cillian’s side once more, his arm instinctually going around her waist, pulling her tight against him.
She kept her words low as she asked. “Who is that?”
