The guards looked to Arion, who hesitated before nodding. One produced a key, working the lock with practiced efficiency.
The room beyond was dark, curtains drawn tight against the morning sun. Briar started forward but Arion caught her shoulder, moving in front of her.
"Let me—"
Thaine struck from the shadows beside the door, moving with the fluid violence that made him Eliam's perfect weapon. No blade this time, just hands and brutal intent, slamming Arion against the doorframe.
But Arion had been expecting it. Light flared from his palms, creating a barrier that forced Thaine back. They grappled briefly, Thaine trying to get past the light, Arion using it to keep him at bay without using physical force.
"You should have left me to die in the forest, princeling," Thaine snarled, still pushing against the barrier of light. "Would have been cleaner than whatever game you're playing."
"See?" Arion called over his shoulder to Briar, still maintaining the defensive light. "I told you this was a bad—"
"Little rabbit?"
Thaine's entire demeanor changed. The tension drained from his body so abruptly that Arion's light pushed him back a step. His dark eyes found Briar in the doorway, cataloging her from head to toe with an intensity that had nothing to do with threat.
"You're alive." The words came out oddly flat. "Whole. Walking. Not eaten or torn apart or—" He stopped, seeming to realize he was speaking aloud.
Briar stepped into the room despite Arion's sharp intake of breath. The light barrier flickered as Arion's attention split.
"I need to speak with you," she said simply.
Thaine tilted his head, that familiar predatory assessment returning. "Do you now? And here I thought you'd be halfway to the mortal realm, taking advantage of your new found freedom."
"Briar…" Arion warned.
"It's fine," she said, not looking away from Thaine. "He's not going to hurt me. Are you?"
Something akin to amusement flickered across Thaine's features. "Hurt you? My orders were quite specific about keeping you intact." He moved to the room's single chair, dropping into it with casual grace despite what must have been healing injuries. "Though I must admit, you made that remarkably difficult. Running from the one person actually trying to keep you alive during a sanctioned hunt? Not your wisest moment."
"I didn't know—"
"No, you assumed. Saw me and ran like the frightened rabbit you are." He examined his hands, voice carrying that dark humor she knew all too well. "Though I suppose I can't blame you. I don't exactly project 'helpful savior,' do I?"
"Arion," Briar said quietly, "would you wait outside?"
"Absolutely not." His response was immediate, the light still faintly glowing around his hands. "I'm not leaving you alone with—"
"Please." She finally looked at him, and something in her expression made him pause. "I need to have this conversation, and I need to have it without... Just please. Wait outside. If I need you, I'll call."
They stared at each other for a long moment. Finally, Arion's light dimmed.
"I'll be right outside the door," he said, the warning clear in his tone, both for her and for Thaine. "If I hear anything—"
"You won't." Thaine replied dismissively. "If I wanted to hurt her, princeling, I've had far better opportunities."
Arion left reluctantly, the door closing with deliberate softness behind him. The room fell into shadow again, only thin lines of sunlight through the curtains providing illumination.
"So," Thaine said after a moment. "Questions. You have them. Ask."
Briar moved to the window, not quite ready to face him directly. "Why did he send you?"
"To keep you alive during the hunt. To bring you back after." The response was matter-of-fact.
"Why?" She turned then, needing to see his face. "He cast me out. In front of everyone. Made me prey. Why would he—"
"You're asking me to explain my lord's mind?" Thaine laughed, short and sharp. "I follow orders, little rabbit. I don't interpret them."
