Chapter 1

1915

The soft rays of morning sunlight filter through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room.

“Cill.” I whisper, my fingers tracing his cheekbone. “Kate.” he whispers back, his eyes still closed.

“Wake up.” I say. “Too early.” he mumbles, and turns around to rest his head on my chest. It was a bittersweet morning, the morning that marked the day of Cillian’s departure for the war.

“Come on, it’s our last day together. Let’s not waste it.” I try to persuade him to get up.

“Did you have to remind me?” he groans, his eyes wide open now. “You made the decision to enlist, Cillian.” I sigh trying to get up. “No, don’t be like that. It’s our last day together, you just said it. You can’t be mad at me today.” He says pulling me back in the bed, making his bright blue eyes meet my green.

“I’m not mad,” I say. “I am worried about you.” “Don’t be. I’ll be back before you know it.” he says but doesn’t mean it. “And now, say it like you actually believe you will.”

He sighs. “Kaitlin ─ I don’t know what will happen there, and honestly, I am bloody terrified, but I have to go.” “I know you do. And I also know that you’re coming back, Cill. You have to. For your mother, for your sister and for me. You have to come back to me, Cillian O’Connor.” I say. He chuckles and rests his forehead against mine. “Okay, Kaitlin Barclay. I’m coming back to you. I promise.” he says after pulling away and then, for a while, we just lay there in a comfortable silence until a knock on our door interrupts it.

“Get up, lovebirds! It’s time for breakfast.” Evelyn, Cillian’s mother, yells.

“You’ve heard her, it’s time for breakfast.” I say and get out of bed, but he instantly pulls me back in. “Now!” she yells again, and I get out of his grip, grab some clothes and make my way to the bathroom. As I come back he still sits on the bed and stares at the wall, completely lost in his thoughts. It wasn’t often that saw him like that. He was used to handling everything, making the decisions for the business, for his family. But this was different. This was a war. The whole world was burning, and he would be running into the flames. Whether he would return or not wasn’t in his hands.

He knew that and so did I.

“Get dressed, they are all waiting for us.” I say to Cillian, throwing him some clothes, and leave the room, heading downstairs where his family was already sat in the dining room. Everyone was there, united for a last time before Cillian and his brothers departure.

“Morning.” I smile making my way to the dining room. “Morning, dear. Is he up?” Evelyn asks me. I nod and take a seat. “Here I am, mother.” Cillian comes into the room and takes the seat next to me.

“Well, let’s start eating then, eh?”