Chapter 42

They didn’t have much more of a chance to talk until several hours later, back in their suite. She was curled against him on the spacious bed, providing what comfort she could. While she had stood by his side during the ordeal of removing Aidan’s body and explaining to his troops what had happened—and the need to ferret out all those loyal to his dead brother—she could only imagine how soul-wrenching it had been for Tiernan.

It had been draining for her too, and she knew killing Aidan would haunt her nightmares for years to come, but now was not the time to have a cathartic release of emotion by discussing her role in his execution. That time would come after Tiernan had healed a bit first.

At least she was sure he harbored no resentment toward her for killing Aidan. Tiernan had held her hand or kept her within touching distance throughout the time they had dealt with the aftermath. She’d had to bite her tongue not to counter him when he’d claimed responsibility for Aidan’s death. Madison understood he was trying to protect her. The tribunal was far less likely to question the commander of the Federation’s assertion of self-defense than if his companion had admitted to the shooting. It still felt wrong, but she had kept her objections inside, knowing she had to protect the babies. After all, if the tribunal ordered an interrogation, she might end up confessing that she hadn’t had a pressing need to kill Aidan, other than preserving her lover’s emotional state. Her execution would be even harder for Tiernan to bear than Aidan’s would have been if he’d turned him over to the tribunal.

Now, they lay quietly, both spent from the day’s events, but close together. “What will you do about the rebels?” she asked softly.

“I’ll offer amnesty for any who turn themselves in and renounce a rebellion. I’ll meet with the leaders, if they’ll agree. I hope a simple account of the truth will be enough to end the fighting.” He sighed. “If not, the war will continue, and I don’t want that.”

“I think this might be the end of it.” If Briggs still lived and led, it might not have been, but surely, leaders that were more reasonable would accept Tiernan’s overtures. She had to cling to that hope, to the belief that they could end the chain of events Aidan had set in motion without further violence or bloodshed.

“We’ll deal with it tomorrow, and for however long we must.” He turned a bit, pulling her closer to his side. “Tonight, I just want to lay here with you in my arms and appreciate what I have.”

“I’m sorry about your brother,” she said, apologizing for what she had done, while also expressing her sorrow over how it had ended between them.

“Me too.” His voice was thick for a moment. “I wish…” Trailing off, he let the silence stretch. “I wish it could have been different,” he said finally. “I wish I’d known my father, and that my mother hadn’t been so cruel as to banish her own baby. I should have grown up knowing Aidan as my brother.” His voice broke. “He was my best friend, Madison, and we would have been a formidable team.”

She caressed his hip, careful to avoid the bandage wound around his ribs. “I’m sure you would have. I only saw you two together for a few months, but I can easily envision what you might have accomplished together.”

He rubbed his chin against the top of her head. “Instead…” Sighing, he put his hand between their bodies to spread across her stomach. “It’s going to be different for them. They will have the kind of relationship Aidan and I should’ve had.”

She smiled, having no trouble imagining a pair of mischievous twins, plotting and scheming together, always there for each other, and without the rivalry of who would lead the Federation between them. She wouldn’t allow that ever to be an issue. Somehow, they would find a role for both of the twins. “Yes, they will.”

“And they will know their parents love each other and them.” He spoke with passionate intensity. “Will you marry me, Madison?”

She blinked. “Are you sure, Tiernan? You don’t have to do that. I’ll stay with you in whatever capacity you choose. I sort of thought you’d be like your mother and grandfather.”

He made a sound of disgust. “What, too obsessed with power to risk surrendering any bit of it by giving my companion a more important place in my life?” A shudder ran through him. “At one time, I thought that was the way to do it, but I know better now. I’m a better man, thanks to you.”

She shook her head. “No, Tiernan, you changed you. I can’t take credit for that.”

“Well, I wouldn’t have even entertained the idea of changing if you hadn’t captivated me. I had to have you at any cost.” Regret laced his tone. “I treated you horribly.”

“Oh, yes,” she mocked. “You brought me into the lap of luxury and gave me everything, you monster.”

He growled. “Don’t diminish what I did, Madison.”

Turning serious, she scooted up so they were face to face. “I’m not. Threatening my family was terrible. Not listening to me was awful. Imprisoning me in the cupola was nearly unforgivable.” Seeing the pain in his eyes, she hurried to finish her thought. “Showing me how much I could love someone was amazing. Saving my mother’s life was a gift. Taking care of my family and letting Cam evade justice were the actions of someone who truly loves me, even if I didn’t see it right away. Giving me your heart and committing to me is the best thing you could ever do for me. Just keep loving me, and we’ll be fine, Tiernan.”

He cradled her face in his hands. “Always, my love.”