Chapter 30
Watching Maeve and Lachlan walk away was one of the hardest things Cate had ever done. For the last nine years, she and Maeve had been inseparable, and though most people believed their relationship was one-sided, Cate knew better. Maeve had come for her, yes; for her and no one else, and once she had found her, she had never let her go.
Until now.
Now, when the time of reckoning was so near, Cate understood why she needed to stay behind, but that hadn't made it any easier to let Maeve go. Even though she stood with Lachlan, he had always been a man of peace, with very little warrior within him. He could not wield a sword like she could; he did not have it in him to kill another man, and that worried her.
Still, after the vote, Lachlan and Maeve left for the hills, leaving Birch in charge of the necessary ceremonies and rituals. Birch was a good man, a strong priest, and a loyal friend. He would make sure that their people were properly protected by the Goddess.