“I don’t care what Zylah thinks. I want her up and I want that damn chain off her.”
Another beat of silence. “Okay, but if she panics, we’ll have to put her out again.”
“And then what?” Arianna challenged. “We just watch her slowly starve to death?”
Talon’s face paled. “There’s not a good answer.”
Arianna’s anger simmered, burning through her. Tears brimmed to the surface. “I don’t like this. I don’t like any of it.”
“Neither do I.” He stood. “Get some rest. I’ll send Zylah up later to help you shower, then we’ll wake Ellie.” He movedto the table and picked up the tray, but paused before turning toward the door. “Do you need anything else?”
Arianna shook her head. Her throat burned from swallowing back tears. She was so tired. Tired of everything. Arianna refused to look at him again, lest the dam break. She knew Talon was barely holding it together, too.
“Okay. I’ll be downstairs if you need me.” She didn’t respond, but when the door clicked shut, Arianna loosed a breath and a hot tear trailed down her cheek. Ice coated her hands and the blankets she’d been clenching. Her magic was just as volatile as it had been before they’d gone after Vairik.
They’d be traveling soon, which meant she’d come face to face with that creature downstairs.
She hated everything about him. From his face, to his magic, to the way he’d looked at her with utter devastation, as if his world had been ripped out from under him. It would be better, easier, if he looked at her with some level of contempt, just so she could confirm the lies to herself.
Mate.
Him.
How did they expect her to believe she’d ever cared for someone so heartless? The thought was absolutely abhorrent. If they wanted her to believe a facade, then they could have at least come up with something better.
Unless they weren’t lying at all.
Arianna took a steadying breath. She just needed to have patience and take the days one at a time. They’d get to Nàdair, she’d ensure her sister was safe, then she’d figure out whether her friends had been affected by Pádraigín’s magic or if they were really traitors. Beyond that, she’d discover if her father was still alive, then make plans to eradicate Vairik and his ilk from the face of the continent.
She was a queen that was meant to bring peace, but it seemed their entire world would have to shatter first.
Chapter Three
Rion
Who are you?
The words cut through him sharper than any blade ever had. Rion’s heart ached. Bled. Memories that had once filled him with joy now cut through his waking thoughts like jagged shards of glass.
His nightmares were even worse.
Rion gripped his shirt, hoping to ease the throbbing pain that had been plaguing him for days.
Arianna, his world, his mate, his everything, had finally looked at him as if he were the monster.
He’d waited for it for so long. He’d sat with the fear as if it were a friend. But then he’d fought past it, certain nothing could separate them now, solid bond or no. He’d thought his heart safe, or as safe as it could be in the middle of a war.
He’d been so terribly, terribly wrong.
Caring for another, it seemed, only made the wounds that much deeper.
Rion had experienced the grief of nearly losing her. He’d held her broken body. He’d listened to her slowing heartbeat.
This hurt worse. She was right in front of him, talking, breathing, living, but she couldn’t have been further from his reach.
The gods must truly hate him. Maybe they were on Vairik’s side after all.Maybe none of them were worth saving.
Rion clenched his fists, then let out a long breath through gritted teeth. They had so much to deal with. All roads that led to nothing but uncertainty.
