Breaker of Rings

Chapter 29: The original ending

This was the ending as I originally wrote it, but it didn't feel right to have Bex go all the way to Ireland and NOT talk with Finn right away.

For a while, Bex was worried that he was going to do or say something presumptuous that Finn would take offence to, but after that final burning fuck, Seth actually behaved quite well. Under her guidance, he eased the ship into the port and helped her dismantle it piece by piece. Finn had sent enough warriors down that the parts of the ship were carried away and stored safely within minutes, and then the two fire-forgers were on their way to the castle, their bags slung over their shoulders.

"Becca!" Finn's voice was joyous and light, and he ran in a most unkingly way to greet her, sweeping her up in a hug. Glancing at Seth, he added, "You don't get to call her that."

"He knows," Bex assured him, kissing Finn's cheek and lingering in his embrace for a moment. Even when he had come to her lands, he had felt like home. "This is Seth. He's a fire-forger too. He's part of The Shield. You met his brother, Dean. Roman is also safe now, and living at our settlement along with his family."

Finn nodded slowly, gaze never leaving Seth's face. "There's lots to tell there, I expect. Since you managed to come, I'm hoping that means you were successful against the Skull King. When the last of my warriors arrived home, they said only that you were all still discussing strategy."

Bex glanced over at Seth and smiled. "The battle was short, but it's a long story. The Skull King still lives, and we might still need Ireland's aid, but for now, we're celebrating." She glanced around to see bright decorations on the trees outside the castle. "Speaking of which, I was promised I would get to meet someone. . . ."

"Finn! There you are!" When Bex thought of formal attire for a woman, she thought of Queen Paige's lush, dark gowns or some of the fancy dresses Charlotte had originally brought with her simply because she had nothing else at the time. The woman who approached them was wearing a dress that appeared to be made of ephemeral things like sighs and laughter, and she looked every inch a queen in her own right. "This must be Becca!" Then her hands flew to her mouth. "Please forgive me. I know that's a family name for you. It's just that Finn uses it so often that it's how I've come to think of you. My apologies. I'll call you Bex."

Bex shook her head and walked over to the beautiful woman. Her hair fluttered in an early morning breeze, but she didn't seem bothered in the least, and that made Bex like her even more. "Becca's fine," the fire-forger assured her. Judging from the radiant love in Finn's eyes, it was only a matter of time before the woman was family anyway. "You must be Veronica. It's an honour to meet you at last. Even with a war at my doorstep," she added with a laugh, "Finn insisted I be here for the spring equinox to meet you."

Veronica leaned forward and hugged her warmly. "Please, call me Vero." Only then did she seem to realize that Bex wasn't alone. "And who is your guest?"

Seth stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "My name is Seth. I'm a fi—" He stopped suddenly, looking to Bex for confirmation, but Bex hesitated. She remembered Finn mentioning that he had regaled Vero with tales of magic, but she wasn't sure how much was wise to share.

Finn gave a small nod. There was no one nearby to hear, but he had become so accustomed to hiding Bex's secret that it had become a reflex. "She knows."

Nodding, Seth continued. "I'm a fire-forger, like Bex." He left out any mention of The Shield, and Bex didn't blame him. If Veronica didn't know everything about his past, she couldn't judge him for it.

Veronica turned to Bex and squeezed her hand. "What a blessing for you! Finn has told me how few of your kind there are—elementals in general, not just fire-forgers. It must truly be a gift to finally find someone who understands your magic."

"It is." Bex felt her cheeks start to heat up and she hoped they weren't too red. "My sisters, the rest of the Four Horsewomen, also have magic, but different types. We always try to support each other, but it's nice to have someone with so much knowledge to give."

Over Veronica's shoulder, Finn raised an eyebrow to say he knew exactly what Seth had been giving Bex, but he kept quiet. "Let's get inside. All the rites won't start until the actual solstice, of course, but there's always something happening."

As soon as they had entered the castle proper, though, Veronica resolutely threaded her arm with Bex's and started pulling her away. "I want to give her the tour," she insisted.

Finn laughed merrily. "Bex has been in this castle more than you have, my love."

Veronica merely smiled. "Then she can give me a tour of all the fabulous secret places you haven't shared with me yet." When she turned that smile on Bex, the fire-forger had an idea of why Finn was so enraptured with her. There was more to her beauty that just her appearance; genuine kindness radiated from Veronica, as warm and affirming as sunlight. "After breakfast, of course. You must be hungry after so long at sea."

Bex met Seth's gaze briefly. "The voyage wasn't too bad. With only two people, no horses, and hardly any supplies, we made good time."

Once again, Finn didn't look like he was convinced, but he simply kissed Bex on the forehead and urged her forward. "Go ahead. I'll give Seth the tour," he added, "since I know he hasn't been here." He took Bex's bag before she could protest.

For a fleeting moment, Bex felt guilty about leaving Seth to Finn's whims, but Veronica quickly swept her down to the kitchens, where she grabbed some food to eat as they walked. "I'm so glad you were able to come," Veronica began. Something about her voice reminded Bex of a cat's purr, musical and soothing. "I know the Skull King's attacks were getting very close to your home, so I would have understood if you hadn't been able to make it."

"We're hoping he'll need a while to regroup," Bex confided, "but unfortunately that war is far from over. We managed to thwart some of his plans, though, and convert some of his former allies, so we're hopeful." She wasn't sure how to explain what had happened with The Shield, but that was more Seth's story to tell than hers, and she hoped he got some time with Veronica; speaking with an unbiased listener would probably buoy him considerably.

Veronica crowded closer again, face brightened both by her smile and her blush. "I detest war. But if it must happen, if that's the only way to stop this tyrant . . . then, selfishly, I hope it is either a very quick war or otherwise delayed for many months."

Bex's gaze immediately dropped to Veronica's middle. Though her dress was almost diaphanous, she didn't appear to be pregnant. "If you have plans with Finn, don't worry. We know his allegiance is to Ireland, though we'll welcome any warriors he can spare."

Sobering a bit, Veronica nodded. "Of course. But I would like you here as well. I know you're so dear to him. Do you think you'll be able to come back for the summer solstice?" Her grin reappeared, stretching her cheeks. "We're hoping to have another celebration then." It was only then that Bex noticed the ring on Veronica's left hand. She must have come out to greet Bex before Finn had a chance to mention anything.

"It would be an honour." Bex hugged Veronica warmly. She had only just met Vero, but the woman had brought out such happiness in Finn that she couldn't help but like her.

Veronica couldn't stop grinning, and Bex was surprised her feet ever touched the floor. "I'm sure Finn would like the other Horsewomen to be here as well, and I know he wants to invite King Drew and Queen Paige. And you can bring Seth, of course, and. . . ."

Bex happily listened to Veronica ramble about who she and Finn wanted to attend as they walked through the castle, any pretense of a tour forgotten. She thought back to The Shield, to Dean saying his road to recovery had been one step, one day, at a time. The days beyond the summer solstice were clouded with doubt and uncertainty, but at least there was some goodness on the horizon to look forward to.