Great and Precious Things

by Rebecca Yarros

I’d made it roughly twenty minutes in my father’s company, and he’d already shot me and accused me of fratricide. Welcome home.

Most people were content to let me live in my head, or they tried to bring me back to the conversation. Cam had always pried my thoughts loose, and I let him, even if he’d usually mocked me for them right after.

“I never hooked up with Cam for a reason. He only had eyes for one Bradley girl, and it wasn’t me.” There was zero teasing in her tone or expression. “Wh-What?” I sputtered. That was definitely not the answer I’d expected. “Think about it. You’re the only girl who’s lasted more than five minutes in his orbit. He may have glanced at other girls, but he only saw you.”

The town might love me for what I was about to offer, but they could just as easily hate me for what I was about to do to my brother.

“It’s beautiful, in its own little, dangerous way,” she remarked, her helmet resting between my spine and right shoulder blade. “Most everything that can hurt you is.”

He said you have to have three things to see a pika—the right timing, the capability to stay quiet, and the patience to wait.”

“You honestly think anyone would have looked at Sullivan on the day of my funeral and told him that it should have been him in that box?” His eyes narrowed. “Your dad had no right to say that.”

“No, you don’t. I was most angry at Sullivan, because he had the right I would have died for and never even used it. Because when he passed, it was Mom’s name on his lips, when I knew mine would have been yours.”

Darkness is drawn to the light, right? And there’s nothing brighter in this town than you.”

“You fight for your country. For Sullivan. For your dad and even for me. Why can’t you let someone fight for you? Why won’t you let me fight for you?” The naked pain in her voice shredded my composure like nothing

“No,” she whispered, but it carried. “Sullivan was the replacement for you.”

“It was always you, Cam.” She closed the inches between us, resting her hands on my chest, on the heart she didn’t realize only beat because hers did. “I’ve loved you since forever. I’ve been in love with you since I was old enough to understand what that meant. No one else ever had a shot of getting close. How could they, when you took my heart with you?”

“Stop defending me. Stop acting like the shit I’ve done is okay. Stop making excuses for me.” “I love you.” Instead of running like any sane person would, she took a step forward.

“Did it ever occur to you that I’m not capable of being saved? That ship sailed a decade ago. Hell, probably before then, if you ask my dad.

“I’ll never give up on him, Xander. I love him. I’ve always loved Camden.” I loaded each word so he understood the full value of what I was telling him.

“Of course not. He’s good, Mr. Daniels. He’s the best man I know, and you…” My breath shook as I exhaled. “You ruined him. And I don’t know if I can fix the parts you broke. He won’t let anyone in. And I have to get through to him, because he’s just so…” The words clogged my throat, threatening to choke me. “He’s so very lonely.” “All great and precious things are lonely.”

“I believe a strong woman may be stronger than a man, particularly if she happens to have love in her heart. I guess a loving woman is indestructible.”

You’re not scared of hurting me. You’d die before you let that happen, and we both know it. You’re scared I’ll hurt you.” I felt the blood drain from my face.

I love you unconditionally, Camden. At your worst? I love you. At your best? Yep, still love you. And until you can accept that, I’ll be right here proving it to you. Choosing you.”

“I’ll never not want you. Wanting you is all I’ve ever known. You’re in my blood, my bones, my soul.”

“There is no me without you. I’ve known that since we were kids in this room.”

Holy crap, this was what we were up against. Alba seriously thought Cam just wanted to get rid of Arthur because they didn’t like each other?

“My father basically told Tim Hall that you’d lose your dad’s case if you’re dating me.” And I word-vomited all over the place. Awesome.

“I’m too selfish to let you go.”

But when I ask her to be my wife, you won’t know. I won’t ask your permission because she’s not a piece of property, and I won’t respect your tradition because you don’t respect that it’s really her choice.

That’s why I took the fall for you that night when you set the bunkhouse on fire.”

‘You’re free to make your own choices, but you’re not free from the consequences of that choice.’”