#part9

The heels of her boots made a harsh sound as she entered the hall with Nynette and Wyborn behind her. Soldiers stood at each door, nodding to her in greeting. Her eyes wandered over the twenty-eight people. Roughly half of them were stable hands which meant the chance was low, it was one of them, but not impossible.

“All of you were brought here today because you are the newest staff members of the castle and we suspect one of you worked with the attackers who killed King Elfred and princess Bernia, poisoned princess Bernia to cause her mind to wither and opened the gates for the attackers to accomplish this despicable cowardice act.”

Rumbling and whispered went through the group. The three of them watched them closely. Who reacted shocked, who tried to look away, who searched for an escape, who talked with who.

“Those two kitchen aids, the freckled one and the one with the strong curls”, Nynette whispered to Ivara.

As expected, the stable hands appeared shocked, confused, appalled but it could also be an act, but the two kitchen aids Nynette pointed out, they were scared, looked around, eyeing the door next to them and whispering.

“Wy?”

“On it.”

The kitchen aid’s gaze fell on a servant who looked equally nervous and eyed the door. From there it was a chain reaction. A second servant, a third, a third and fourth kitchen aid, a seamstress, a gardener. Nine people, plus the two servants who attacked. That made thirty-one new staff members in two years and a third of them were planted to spy and kill. Eleven they found now and heavens knew how many were under the old staff.

Separated from the rest who glared at them with a deep fury Ivara felt as well stirring inside her, those nine they picked out now held their chins high in defiance surrounded by soldiers.

Ivara stepped in front of them, picked out the freckled kitchen aid Nynette found and looked at her. She was maybe three years older, not ugly but also not extraordinarily beautiful, just an average woman. An average woman who decided to poison a princess.

“You work for King Odard.”

A simple statement, no question, no assumption. The woman gasped surprised. Not in shock, not taken back, surprised.

“Thank you for admitting it”, Ivara smirked coldly.

“I admitted horse shit.”

“You weren’t appalled or shocked. That was a confession. Soldiers, bring them to their friends in prison. I am sure there are some more rats hiding under the bountiful table of castle Heln.”

She went to turn but a servant tried to attack her. Almost amused, she grabbed his empty hand by his wrist, stepped aside and used the momentum he created to throw him into a soldier.

“You bitch, he will show you when he arrives and takes what is his”, the guy hissed.

“Oh, I am so afraid.”

She stepped closer and bent forward to look up to the former servant that tried to attack her and was now held back by the soldier. Almost sweetly she smiled at him.

“Isn’t it funny, he didn’t kill me that day despite us standing only a hand width apart? I think you know shit about what your king wants or doesn’t want. You are just a tool to him. You could have lived a comfortable life here if you gave up your mission, but you made your decision, now live with the consequences.”

With this she straightened her back again and turned to the remaining staff she deemed partially trustworthy for now.

“Let this be a warning for the rest of you. I will figure out if you betray me, unlike my uncle. Do it and you will die. Be loyal and you have nothing to worry about. Stay away from those”, she pointed at the planted spies, “And you have nothing to worry. You know Tyrohlena protects their people. We always did and always will. You are free to go.”

The group of the remaining staff bowed deeply and murmured thanks before they took their leave. Not in a hurry as one would assume, but slowly, taking their sweet time glaring daggers at the traitors. Ivara watched it with small satisfaction.

The soldiers lead the group of traitors, or more spies, she still had no idea how to call them, out once the others left.

“Who would know you had this in you.”

Iona. That was Iona’s voice. Ivara turned around on her heels and saw her aunt’s Wayfinder with a weak smile, the first time in a week. Since Mara’s death and the meeting two days later Iona hid.

“Iona! I missed you.”

“I apologize; I needed some time to breath. But as I can see, you have everything under control. Ally is guiding you well.”

The praise was balm to her soul. Just like the tunic that had the same color tone her uncle’s tunics used to. It gave her something to ground herself into when she felt the grief taking the same away from her again.

“I need something to do before…”

“Before it swallows you.”

Iona understood. She nodded and pushed herself from the wall she had leaned against to hug Ivara. A part of Ivara’s mind stated she should stop everyone from hugging her all the time to keep her reputation, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. There was no shame in finding solace in sharing her grief with those who also lost loved ones, or finding support in them. She was also just human.

“Radek is waiting for you in your new chambers.”

Bracing herself against what would come next, Ivara tousled her lips in a smile. The new chambers, the chambers that once belonged to her grandfather, were the biggest ones in the castle with one huge bedroom, a study that served as small meeting room as well, a small living room and three attached rooms for Wayfinders and the spouse of the king or queen. Just that Ivara planned to use all this a bit differently.

“Nynette, Wyborn, we leave.”

“Right behind you.”

The slightly adoring tone in Wyborn’s voice made her shake her head. Sometimes she wondered if he was so in love with her or too obsessed with her but one day, Ivara would find out, she was sure about that.

With Iona they walked through the halls to her chambers. Even if the castle started its daily rhythm again it felt foreign to Ivara now after they buried the dead the day before. A part of her couldn’t shake off the impression of something was different within the rhythm, not only because she lost three family members.

“You feel it too.”

Iona looked at her, eyes covering a hidden sadness.

“Yes, but what is it?”

“Their grief.”

Then she understood. The footsteps of the laundress sounded heavier. The laughter of the maids was missing, the chatter of everyone felt dimmed, the servants walked slower with the little trollies. They fulfilled their duty just like her, all while grieving, just like her.

“Your father and uncle didn’t notice when your grandfather died.”

Iona’s gaze followed a young castle hand who repaired a door as they walked by.

“They weren’t taught what you have been taught.”

“To listen to the sounds around me. The sounds that are missing.”

A thin-lipped smile, a nod.

“You are queen and Wayfinder alike. Maybe last one more since the elders let you do the test.”

A huffed laugh escaped Iona as she looked at Ivara.

“You know?”

“Radek told me. He is still angry about that. Sounds like he thinks he can protect you from everything.”

“Yes”, Ivara sighed from the bottom of her heart, “He does.”

“Aleera and I will talk to him.”

That was the last word before they entered her chambers and went straight for the study. Radek waited there, the small box with the pearl on the huge desk in front of him. The sealed letter neatly next to it. Serilsa, Cadoc and Perun waited with him.

“How did it go?”, Serilsa asked right away.

“We caught nine. One attacked Iva but she played with him like he was a toddler. At least that idiot gave away he worked for Odard.”

The low rumble in Wyborn’s voice was something new as he fell into the chair closest to the desk.

“We have something else to do now. Iona?”

“Yeah?”

“You might also be able to gain powers from it. Do you want to give it a try?”

Confusion was written all over Iona’s face until she stepped closer.

“Yeah, won’t hurt.”

“Good, Radek?”

“Yeah.”

Ivara smiled relieved, afraid he would say no after he saw how she had reacted to it back then.

“Sit down, if you react like me, this won’t be fun.”

While they got comfortable, she picked up the box and opened it. It looked so innocent like this, when no light reflected from it to lure the unknowing victim. First, she held it in front of Radek and let him touch it, watched how his whole body went rigid and slumped back for a moment, but he was still awake.

“That was strange… It felt like I could hear water, the river…”

“I thought you would have a connection to water”, she chuckled.

While she gave him time to collect his thoughts Ivara went to Iona, who carefully touched the pearl, almost afraid to break it. Her eyes focused on something distant and then she groaned.

“Oh, loud, when did the world became so loud.”

“Your hearing?”, Ivara asked in a whisper.

“Don’t know. I guess.”

“You know I just whispered?”

“What?”

“Yeah, that means her hearing got better”, Cadoc stated matter of fact.

“Don’t yell.”

That was the last piece to confirm it. Behind Ivara the tea pot suddenly burst. Everyone jumped from the sound except Radek.

“Was that you?”

Perun’s eyes went from the tea pot to Radek who had sweat pearls on his face.

“I think so, I felt a pull…draw?... to it.”

“That is going to be fun.”

The broad smirk on Cadoc’s face was not what Ivara expected from all this, on the other side, today was the day of shattered expectations, good and bad. At least she was right about Radek and his powers. Now he needed to find a way to master them, before the castle ran out of tea pots.

After the day had been already eventful someone would think that was enough to call it quits already but Ivara got taught differently when in the evening Cadoc entered her chamber with two pots and a bag. The way he looked told her he had found what she send him to find.

Nynette also got it and just narrowed her eyes at the items in his hands and asked one thing.

“Who?”

“One of the dessert cooks and an old kitchen maid. They had come to the castle together twenty years ago. They are with the other traitors now. It was hidden deep in the pantry behind the confectionery sugar.”

With her hand on her eyebrow Ivara leaned back in the chair, her lips pressed together as she thought about what to do.

“Words about this morning might have spread partially already”, she mused aloud.

“It will take another day or two to go through the whole staff.”

Nynette followed her train of thoughts.

“The kitchen staff saw them being taken away for treachery”, Wyborn added.

“I should address all this. There will be more.”

“The same round up as today with the whole staff?”

The suggestion wasn’t that bad and for some reason Wyborn started to show a kind of thinking about how to use interpersonal relationships in their favor.

“I am with Wyborn here”, Cadoc agreed, “The sooner the better.

“I have the feeling we are still missing something.”

In one swift motion Ivara got up and went to the window to stare out into the dark, moonless night. If this went on for decades there must be a way of communication. Odard was how old? Maybe end thirties or early forties which means he could be behind all this from the start if he began planning this at Ivara’s age but how should a young prince get the resources to do such an operation?

“We are overseeing something. This had been going on for too long to be just Odard’s doing.”

“We can worry about this once we have cleaned the castle of every planted spy or assassin, Iva”, Cadoc reminded her.

“Yes, you are right. Tell the captain of the guard to bring every staff member to the great hall tomorrow afternoon. Bring the things you found with you as well.”

“I will. Now rest, it was a long day.”

He hugged her carefully before he grabbed the pots and bag again and vanished.

“You know he is right. You need your sleep. We all can see how much strength it takes from you just to get through the day.”

A gentle touch on her shoulder by Nynette made Ivara falter and be agreeable to their suggestion.

“You are right. Tomorrow will be another fight.”

So they repeated the spiel. The staff gathered in the great hall, they watched for any signs, this time with everyone strategical placed along the walls, and found five more conspirators, followed by the almost the same speech Ivara gave the day before.

That made eighteen people. Eighteen men and women planted by King Odard and maybe his father to destroy her family from the inside. The reason? The only things her uncle could come up were some old grudges because Tyrohlena didn’t help the kingdom of Fenvil hundred years ago when hunger and sickness had the whole continent in its grip and every kingdom had to fight for their own people, but Tyrohlena was one who managed the best. It was a petty reason but not unlikely. Wars have been fought over petty things before.

Yet Ivara came to the belief after her last vision, they were wrong about it. Somehow Fenvil learned about them having the pearl, heavens knew how and were after it to gain more power. If this even worked like that.  

When she fell into bed that night, she could only hope Iona and Radek would learn to handle their powers fast. She noticed how he secretively switched to wooden or tin mugs to not break any more porcelain.  A part of her was curious if Wyborn would also be lucky, or any other from the list but they also couldn’t risk to have too many Wayfinders being basically knocked out of duty because their fresh powers made them unreliable fighters.

A soft kiss to her temple and big arms wrapped around her from behind at the same time made her smile and stop overthinking things when Wyborn and Nynette came to bed as well.

“You were doing this lip thing again, even when in bed. I think I need to give your lips something else to do.”

A teasing tone followed a gentle but demanding kiss by Nynette.

“How can you think of this now?”

It was more yawned than really spoken by Wyborn and made Ivara chuckle. She looked over her shoulder, feeling lighter just from this normal evening ritual of teasing each other like this.

“You know she is insatiable when stressed.”

“Yeah, we better solve some problems soon or none of you get any sleep in the future”, Nynette threatened playfully.

“Maybe we just need to tie you down and wear you out.”

The moment Ivara suggested it, she regretted it because she could feel the excitement in Nynette as pressed as she was to her.

“Threatening me with good times now?”

“Behave, both of you, or no one gets any good time.”

Another hearty yawn of Wyborn followed. An amused huff from Nynette followed before she stretched over Ivara to kiss him goodnight.

“Sleep well, oh mighty warrior.”

The only thing I could see going right in my life at this moment was my relationship with Cillian. This was something I never saw coming, he appeared out of the blue, capturing my heart. He was something outside of myself that had my heart beating again. 

Cillian was completely unbothered about whether or not he passed the final exam. It was clear law wasn’t for him. I called it the first day we had a class together, he was more interested in getting my attention than he was listening to the lecturer.  

The last few weeks he had spent rehearsing his lines and trying to figure out the best way to approach the complex character that was Darren, aka Pig. I had never seen Cillian so engrossed in something before, not even when he was writing songs or performing on stage. This was different, this was his true passion. 

The first show was in Dublin Theatre in 8 weeks. Cillian had two weeks to get his affairs in order before having to travel from Cork to Dublin for rehearsals. He had six weeks of on stage rehearsals before finally going public for the first. 

He had the option of staying with the other cast members in a house-share type accommodation but decided not to. He liked coming home every night even for 30 minutes just to see me. 

“He’s gonna burn a hole in that floor, tell em to sit down.” Paidi, Cillian’s younger brother commented. 

Looking towards him he was sprawled out on the small sofa provided for the band’s set to play at the local bars during the week. Tonight was The Son’s of Mr Green Genes' last performance, a fact known to the three of us in this room. The other band members had yet to arrive for their sound check. 

I attended Cillian’s house last weekend for Sunday lunch at his mother’s request. After having dinner with my father, his parents felt it was only fair they got to meet the girl, their son had chosen to yield his wild ways. 

The lunch went well, meeting his family was much less awkward than it was meeting Andrew's parents. Cillian’s family were welcoming, whereas I always felt judged and not good enough for Andrew's parents. 

“Cill, maybe sit down for a bit. You are gonna exhausted yourself before your due on stage.” I agreed standing in front of him, stopping him in his tracks. “They are going to be okay. They will either find someone to replace you both, or everyone will go their separate ways.” 

“I just, I feel like I am letting them down.” 

“I would rather you let down everyone in this room and outside it before letting yourself down Cillian.” I smiled placing my hands on either side of his upper arms and rubbing them. 

“Beautiful and smart.” Cillian grinned down at me, leaning down to capture my lips in a short, sweet kiss. Only pulling away at the sounds of his brother’s gag reflex. 

“CILLIAN YOU'RE NEVER GONNA BELIEVE IT.” Casey’s voice suddenly took over the room. 

Stepping away from him I allowed the blonde man to step in, replacing my hands on Cillian’s upper arms. He had one of the biggest smiles I had ever seen. I was used to him constantly scowling, especially when I was around. 

“Acid Kazz is outside and wants to speak to you, man. They are willing to offer a five-album contract record deal if we hit all the right notes tonight.” Casey continued. 

My jaw fell open much like Cillian’s, the two of us staring at his friend. I wasn’t sure if this was some kind of joke or if life was playing a cruel prank on Cillian. Forcing him to make what I considered an impossible decision. 

“Go, go talk to them, man. I swear it’s real. We fucking did it. Finally.” Casey beamed, and with a large smile, he started placing open-hand slaps against Cillian’s chest and back, forcing him out the door and towards whoever was on the other side waiting to talk to him. 

“Congratulations, that’s great news for the band. You must be dancing on air right now.” I smiled shoving my hands into the front pockets of my jeans. I was unsure of what else to do with them. 

“Yeah, it's amazing. Sucks for you though. Cill will be too busy with the band now to spend any time with you.” Casey shrugged off, turning his back to me and taking his bass out of its case. 

Glancing over towards Paidi he shook his head at the bassist before rolling his eyes playfully at me. Being the youngest in the band, no one took him seriously. They just considered him Cillian’s younger brother, easily replaceable if need be. 

“Right...” I trailed off not bothering to respond to the blonde. “Great news for you too, but what are you going to do about school?” I asked Paidi who sighed with a slight shake of his head. 

“Ma will never let me skip out until I finish so I don’t know. Probably have to leave it all behind.” 

“I’m sure you will be missed.” I smiled softly. Much like Cillian, Paidi loved music, he came alive on stage. You could see it in the way his fingers moved along the neck of the guitar or the smile he sent to the crowd every so often. 

“Yeah, but we can find someone to replace you man don’t worry. I met this guy at the bar the other night, he is pretty good.” Casey replied bluntly. 

“Gee thanks, man.” Paidi scoffed. Bringing one hand up to his other, he rubbed along his bicep, hurt evident behind his eyes. 

“I am sure Paidi can at least record one album with you. He was a member when the record label found you after all.” I explained, trying my best not to glare at the older of the two boys. “He will be available after school and most of the summer.” 

“No offence Brianna, but that’s not how bands work. I don’t need a part-time guitarist. It’s been holding us back. The only reason he is in the band is because of Cillian.” 

“Excuse you?” I gasped wide-eyed at the complete audacity this man was showing. I heard of people getting too big for their boots when the prospect of success was in the future but this was ridiculous. 

“Well he is a good guitar player, not bad on the piano either but he is just a kid. We are going to the big leagues now.” 

“You haven’t even got the contract and already you think you're going to go places?” I laughed not quite believing the man standing in front of me.  

“Like I said you haven’t a clue about music. Someone offering you a five-album contract is a pretty big deal. Not like you’ll be around long enough to see that.” Casey snapped, moving forward so he was now standing in front of me. “Cillian will have plenty of women throwing themselves at his feet. You will be nothing more than a distant memory.” 

“Now hang on...” Paidi stood up next to me, immediately jumping to my defence. 

“I don’t see what he sees in you. Average at best.” Casey continued ignoring the younger of the Murphy brothers. “He should have just left you alone after the first night he slept with you. Sluts like you always land on your feet don’t ya”

“What the fuck is your problem?” Paidi growled shoving the blonde back with a hard push of his hand. 

“I’m just telling it how it is. She fucking spread her legs the first chance she got, once a slut always a slut.” 

Pulling Paidi away from the man, I fought against the tears threatening to fall. Shaking my head at him I pushed Paidi towards the corner of the room, quietly asking him not to mention any of this to Cillian until later. 

“Why? Casey is way out of line Brie, he is a fucking cunt.” Paidi glared over my shoulder. 

“He’s not worth it,” I whispered, wiping the few tears that escaped on the sleeve of my jacket. “Look I want Cillian to have a clear perspective going into tonight. If he wants to pursue music great, if not even better but it’s his decision to make. I don’t want anything influencing it”  

“He already decided. He is going to the stage show.” 

“Right but that was before the offer of a record deal Paidi. Let’s just see what happens. Let’s just forget everything for now.” 

*****

Twirling the small red straw in my drink, my mind was miles away. My friends joined me in the main part of the bar. Over the last few months of attending numerous concerts, they found themselves enjoying the music Cillian’s band performed.

“We dreaming of Mr Blue Eyes again.” Billy winked nudging into my side, bringing me back into reality. “He haunts my dreams girl. Those goddamn eyes.”

“They are hypnotic,” Marion commented with a slight nod. She had known Cillian the least but much like the rest of us, felt entranced by his eyes. “Everything okay with you two? You don’t seem yourself?”

“Things with Cillian are great,” I nodded, a small smile pulling at the corner of my lips at the mere mention of his name. “His bandmate on the other hand, not so much.”

“Which one? Who upset our girl?” Billy demanded, slamming his glass onto the bar table. The music from the band drowned out the sharp snap of glass. “I swear if you don’t tell me, I’ll march up on that stage and interrogate each one of them.”

“It’s Casey, the bass player. He’s been against me since Cillian and I got together. He said a few things earlier that just have been playing in my head.”

“Like what?” Aoife asked joining the conversation for the first time. She had disappeared into the bathroom as soon as she sat down, sickness has been plaguing her all week. But being afraid to miss anything, she insisted on coming out tonight.

“The band’s been offered a record deal. Five albums.” I nodded, my eyes not once lifting from the red straw in my glass. “He said Cillian will have women falling at his feet and he would forget all about a slut like me.”

“HE WHAT?” Aoife screeched, gaining only the attention of those standing next to us, or at the near tables. “He actually called you a slut?”

“His words were, sluts like me always land on their feet,” I repeated the words, plaguing my mind for the last hour.

“I’ll fucking kill him”

“Woah wait, wait. What did ole blue eyes say about this?” Billy interrupted holding his hand high into the air, stopping anyone else from speaking until he had finished.

“He doesn’t know.”

“What do you mean he doesn’t know?” Aoife barked back, the anger she was feeling evident on her face.

“I didn’t want him to know. Not until after the performance.”

“Why the fuck would that matter? He can’t talk about you like that? Cillian better not let him off with that” She growled, reaching forward to gulp back a large mouthful of water.

“Because he has enough on his plate at the minute.” I sighed, leaning on the table with my forearms. “The record deal isn’t the only offer Cill’s got. He has been cast as one of the leads in a stage play called Disco Pigs. Guys, he is amazing, honestly. The emotions he can pull from you...he is just brilliant.”

“Someone’s in love.” Billy grinned, placing a gentle hand across my shoulders.

***** 

Clapping and screaming, cheers of praise with Billy. Cillian looked over in our direction shooting a wink in our direction which Billy claimed was for him and him alone. The band took one finally bow before heading off stage, Cillian gestured for me to meet him backstage but I declined. Confusing him. 

“You gonna tell him?” Billy asked, fanning the sweat from his face. Between the amount of bodies in the bar and the unusual heatwave we were experiencing, it felt like we were standing in an oven. 

“Not tonight, I want it to be his night.” 

“Why are you so good?” Billy grinned, “Blue eyes better realise how god damn lucky he is having you by his side.” 

“I’ll be sure to bring it up a few times.” I laughed. The two of us weaved our way through the crowd, back towards the table. Aoife was holding her head while Marion rubbed at her back. “Ef you okay?” 

“Yeah, just need to go home Brie. Sorry.” She groaned, shakily standing to her feet with the help of Marion. 

“I’m just gonna run her home. I’ll be back for you Mr don’t be getting into any trouble.” She pointed at Billy with a smirk. “Are you spending the night with Cill?” 

“Maybe, I’ll see.” I nodded unsure of what his final decision was going to be. He may have decided to stay with the band, let his acting whim go and if that was the case. I didn’t want to be around Casey, especially not tonight.

Saying our goodbyes to the girls. Billy dragged me around the back alley, claiming he was gagging for a smoke. Just as we rounded the corner we came to an immediate stop, raised voices catching our attention instantly. 

“Oh Blue eyes don’t look happy” Billy spoke in a hushed tone. “Looks like someone told him. Who else was in the room with you?” 

“Paidi, Cillian’s little brother.” I whispered cautiously stepping forward. Billy gripped onto my arm, almost as if he was hiding behind me, yet pushing me forward at the same time.

“Fuck you! Who do you think are talking to my girl like that?” Cillian raged. I had never seen such an anger in a man before as he squared up to his taller friend. 

“She won’t always be around for you Cill. Open your fucking eyes.” 

“She supports me much more than you fucking bastards do.” 

“How? By setting you up for failure.” 

“Not failure success. Because of her I am actually doing something that has made me feel alive.” 

“And what’s that? She gives you a good blow job every once in a while and suddenly your the king of the bloody castle.” Casey boosted. Having enough, Cillian’s arm withdrew before coming forward hitting the taller man straight on the jaw, knocking him back on his feet. 

“In case you didn’t get the message. I’m done with the band, so fuck you, fuck the record deal and fuck the band.” Cillian spat, holding his two hands up he flipped off Casey who was now leaning against the bar wall holding his jaw. 

“All this for some slut? Are you having a fucking laugh?” 

“Fucking talk about her like that again and I swear to god I will not be responsible for my actions.” 

“That righ...” Casey provoked. 

Pulling away from Billy I ran towards Cillian placing my hands firmly against his solid chest. I could feel the anger radiating through him, it felt like he was vibrating beneath my hands. 

“He isn’t worth it, hey look at me” I pleaded moving my hands up towards his face, holding him in place. He cast his eyes down to me briefly, his pupils were blown wide with anger. “Look at me, he isn’t worth it.” 

“He can’t call you...” 

“I’ve been called worse. Leave it.” I smiled softly, gently pushing him back towards Billy who helped me turn his solid body around and away from what I would assume was a former friend now. 

“That’s right, go. Throw you career away. Idiot Murphy. You're a fucking idiot.” 

“Throwing away nothing mate” Cillian smirked throwing himself around to face the blonde once more. “You record label means jack shit if I don’t sign it. It’s my songs after all. You got fuck all.” 

Looking up at Cillian, a smugness was slowly replacing his anger. Glancing over at Casey the realisation of Cillian’s words sunk in. The once cocky blonde, now turned pale white, sickly white. 

“Is that true?” I asked looking up at Cillian softly. 

“Take that bitch.” Billy yelled with a large smirk. Shaking my head at him I looked up at Cillian, he just held me close. Wrapping his arm around my shoulders we decided to leave the bar, having enough excitement for the night. 

*****

A few days after the excitement in the bar I was sitting with Cillian inside his bedroom. He was leaving for his Dublin tomorrow to start the stage rehearsals for his play. 

“Are you nervous?” I asked playing with the aglet on my lace of my converse shoe. 

“A little” Cillian nodded smiling softly at me. His hand came over cupping the side of my face, his thumb stroking my cheekbone softly. “But I’m making the right decision I can feel it.” 

“That’s all that matters then.” I whispered leaning into his touch. “I’m gonna miss you.” 

“I’ll miss you too.” Cillian smiled sadly before a mischievous look appeared on his face. “You know the next semester doesn’t start until what late September? You could come with me to Dublin.” 

“Your not serious Cillian what am I suppose to do in Dublin?” I laughed softly but Cillian stepped away from me, really thinking, almost like he was trying to put together all the jigsaw pieces in his head.

“Why not? Its only up the road then we can tour together. It’s only in Dublin for a few weeks then I’m back in Cork before moving to Edinburgh. It’ll be a summer you wont forget.” 

“Cillian...” I trailed off shaking my head softly this was an insane idea. 

“Brie... I love you. I love you alright and I don’t want to be apart from you unless I absolutely have to. You gave me the courage to pursue this dream, come live it with me. It will be you and me.” 

My mouth dropped as he mentioned those three words. Three words I’d never expected him to say. Cillian came over to me grabbing my hands in his, holding them up to his chest so I could feel his heart beating wildly in his chest. 

“I love you Brianna.” 

“I love you to Cillian” I chuckled softly not quite believing what was happening. I wiped the tears away from cheeks, they were happy tears. “I love you so much.” 

I took his head into my hands kissing him passionately. I didn’t care if his brother Paidi walked through the door or not, I didn’t care if his mother walked through the door I was happy. 

“I’ll come on tour with you but I’m not going home after Edinburgh.” I nodded not knowing how I was going to survive. My savings were okay but not enough to last, I would just have to talk to my dad.

“Are you sure this is what you want?” Cillian asked, fighting off an even bigger smile that threatened to spill onto his face. 

“Yeah, it’s not like I am going to Riverdance anytime soon and I always wanted to take a gap year so why the bloody hell not.” I giggled, placing my hands firmly on his chest, ignoring the ringing phone in my pocket. 

“Are you really sure?” He asked, eyes squinting down to see if he could detect any sign of lying. Nodding my head, I pulled away from him briefly to check the caller id on my phone. - unknown. 

“Nothing will stop me going on tour with you Mr Murphy.” I grinned placing my phone back into my pocket before throwing my arms around his shoulders. Pressing our foreheads tightly together, we stared into each other’s eyes. “I’m letting go of Everything but You”

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