They stood in the still water, listening to the soft trickle of the falls. His shoulders shuddered and he squeezed her tighter. She wondered if he hoped to repair their bond through touch alone. She wished he could. She just wanted one memory. One thing that was real.
Rion pulled back slowly, his hands lingering on her shoulders. A single tear rolled down his face, and she caught it, rubbing her thumb back and forth across his jaw. He leaned into the touch, then kissed the inside of her wrist before stepping back.
Her soul begged her to heal him. But she couldn’t mend a broken heart. And that’s exactly what Rion of Brónach had. A broken heart, shattered from years upon years of torment.
She’d mended it once, but that had been another lifetime entirely.
He was nearly out of the water before he turned slightly. “Thank you.” The words hit harder than his previous ones. Harder than if he’d actually said goodbye.
Her mate. This male was her mate, and he was walking away, taking her world with him. Her own emotions swam and Arianna reached out with a tendril of water, gently wrapping it around his wrist. He paused.
“You said something back in the room,” she started. He turned to stare at her. His eyes hollow. Defeated. “You said you were mine. Heart, body, and soul. What did that mean?”
“Exactly what it sounded like.”
“It’s more than that.”
His chest rose and fell. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Her brow furrowed. “Tell me. Please.”
Rion turned away, staring at the ground. He opened his mouth. Closed it again. Then he took a shaky breath and said,“On the mountain, you told me to get on my knees. I obliged because I’d already knelt for you before.” He smiled slightly. “Though you were on your knees, too. A priestess laid a white cloth over our hands, binding us together. I was glad you were the first to say the words; I was shaking too much to even remember them.”
Arianna’s lips parted, her heart pounding as he continued. “The priestess sang the sacred rites while you spoke, promising yourself to me for eternity. Then it was my turn and every word that fell from my mouth did so with utmost sincerity. I’ve never believed in promises as much as I did in that moment. And I meant every single word.”
Arianna might have staggered back if she wasn’t in the water.
“We had rings, but agreed to hide them away until things were sorted out with Pádraigín. The political impact of a union with you is expected to be … extreme.” He swallowed hard. “Our bond almost solidified that night. It was so close. We could feel that final strand of connection. It teetered on the very edge.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He looked at her again, eyes swimming with anguish. “You were overwhelmed enough just knowing we were mates. I didn’t want to add unnecessary stress. Especially when no one knows.”
“And now?”
“Now this might be the final night I get to gaze upon my wife’s beautiful face. When we die, I doubt I’m joining you in a pleasant afterlife.”
“You believe your soul is damned.”
“No belief needed. I know it’s damned.” He offered a wry smile. “I just wanted to tell my mate that I love her and I’ll love her even when I’m burning in hell.”
Arianna just gaped at him. More tears spilled down her cheeks. Rion bent to pick up his pack. He heaved it over his shoulder, gave her one final look, then disappeared through the trees.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Talon
Talon stared out at the lines upon lines of warriors. They were all dressed in armor, their weapons sheathed at their sides, all awaiting the command to march onto the field beyond. A field that would be their final resting place. The field where they’d make the last stand of the Fae.
He swallowed hard. There were no more plans to review. No more time to make adjustments. In just a few hours, the Dark Fae would crest the mountain in the distance. He knew to expect the winged creatures they had encountered at the village. Along with a multitude of other sinister beings Vairik had created over the years.
Monsters.
Just like that vile male.
Talon briefly glanced over at Raevina. The female was speaking to her comrades, making some minor adjustments. She’d agreed to join him on the battlefield, a fact that had his heart soaring despite the circumstances. Just to be near her when they met their end was enough.
He swallowed hard, still trying to come to terms with it all. He certainly wasn’t the only one. A nervous energy buzzed through the air, coupled with magic that was already spilling out despite everyone trying to conserve their energy for the battle to come.
