A breath hitched in her throat, her gaze dropping to the floor. A shudder ran through her, her entire body trembling as she whispered, “Why?”
“If Edda is correct, then something else, something greater that we do not even understand may play a part in all of this. A conjuring of some sort, a spell. I can’t say that I don’t feel like burning the entire castle down with him inside of it. That the fact that he touched you…I want him dead.” I took a step and stilled. “I meant what I said. That I would always recognize you, nomatter what happens, no matter what you do. I will see you. I would want you, because I trust you, Ariana.”
“And what do you see in me because I am not sure I recognize myself anymore?”
“I see a woman, still standing strong even under so much pressure.”
She released another breath, shaking her head, eyes filling with tears anew. “I am not strong.”
I moved towards her. “I see a woman who has been placed in such difficult positions that most would have long crumbled by now.” The tears dribbled over, falling down her cheeks, and I took another step. “A woman who cares for others so deeply that she risked her life to save a Lysian who kept her prisoner.” Another step. “A woman who held my heart in her hands then, and still does today.”
Her eyes slid shut, and more tears fell. It hurt seeing her so defeated.
“May I touch you?” I asked, uncertain of her state of mind.
She nodded yes.
Another step and all space between us evaporated. My arms circled her, and she shuddered at my touch. She embraced me in return, clinging to me.
“I have missed you so much,” she whispered. “I am so sorry.”
“I’m here now.” My chest expanded, and I filled my lungs with the scent of her. I savored the feeling of her against me. The way her skin warmed my own. The way she leaned into me. All of it filled me with relief.
I was right. Edda was a fool to fear Ariana’s choice, for her heart brought her back into my arms.
Whatever this tie Clause had to her, I was going to sever it.Permanently. Whatever it took. It was going to be obliterated out of existence.
She moved to look up at me with those beautiful large eyes that draw me to her, and my lips instantly found hers. A soft surprised gasp slipped between us before my mouth took hers. Her body instantly relaxed against mine.
My hand tangled into her hair, the other keeping her pressed to me as we shared a moment I had long craved for. She tasted better than I ever remembered. Better than my dreams. However, the kiss did not last nearly long enough. We parted and she kept her eyes shut while her pulse raced, matching my own as our bodies pressed together.
Sliding my eyes shut, I leaned down, our foreheads touching, breaths mingling in between. We stood, holding one another until the both of us regained our composure.
“Will you tell me what’s going on?” I finally asked, pulling back slightly to study her face.
She tensed before releasing me and stepping away. “Clause said the life I lived was a lie. He said he would show me the truth today.”
Was this why she suddenly withdrew earlier? “And you thought I was that lie?”
“I didn’t know what to think. I feel like a fool. He is messing with my mind in ways I never expected.”
“What was the lie?”
A tremor moved through her, and suddenly emotion left her altogether. “It was Edda. She’s been working with him.”
A cold dread descended over me, for the old bag knew everything. All of our plans.
“Also, apparently, she is my grandmother. That little detail I never knew.” Her voice was dry.
I ran a hand through my hair. “So, Clause knows everything,” I stated, though that made little sense. Edda knew I was coming to find Ariana. Yet no one stopped me. Even now, there was no doubt the Sidhe King would have done something if he knew I was there.
“I don’t think so.” Ariana shook her head. “She seems to think she loves me. It looks like she did not tell him of anything to do with the army or you.”
“What do you want to do now?” I asked, certain that this changed things. Sure, Edda might have stayed quiet for now, but how long would that remain?
Determination settled in Ariana’s eyes. “I am done living here. I want to leave, but first, there is something I need to do.”
“What?”
