Talon exited her room. Rion glanced down at his glass. His hand was clutching it so hard he was surprised it hadn’t broken.
He’d heard every word.
For once in his life, he damned his Fae hearing.
Heavy boots trudged down the stairs. Whispered voices floated out from the living area. A barked comment. Raevina. Talon didn’t respond and instead pushed open the front door. The male’s eyes landed on him, scanning everything from his slumped body position to his disheveled state in half a second.
The male ran a hand through his hair, sighed, and walked over, clearly distressed himself. Rion watched little clouds of dust kick up around Talon’s boots.
Rion didn’t meet Talon’s gaze when the male stopped before him. He stood there for a time, then sat down against the same tree. Just a few months ago, Talon wouldn’t have dared to be in such close proximity. Just a few months ago, Rion wouldn’t have allowed it either.
Rion offered the male the bottle without looking at him. Talon didn’t bother with a glass.
Both males stared out over the ash-covered landscape. “I take it you were listening?”
Rion stared at a droplet rolling down the side of his glass. “Not like I can do otherwise.” His mind literally wouldn’t let him. Anything and everything that was Arianna consumed his body and soul.
“You could try putting mud in your ears. Could actually work in this scenario.” Rion appreciated Talon’s attempt at humor even if he couldn’t reciprocate. “If it’s some consolation, she doesn’t trust any of us.”
“It’s not.” Rion drank again. “It’s why she wants Ellie woken up.” Because if Arianna trusted anyone, it was her little sister, even if said sister had tried to kill her.
“Zylah’s right, we can’t keep her down forever. Especially with how she looks.”
The glass cracked in his hand. Once they’d gotten settled, Rion had visited Ellie’s room to assess the damage Vairik hadinflicted on her body. She was so painfully thin. Even when she’d been awake, he could tell she’d been favoring her right hip. Her breaths had been too shallow, as well. Zylah had confirmed two broken ribs. Her hip had also been dislocated several times.
Rion threw the glass across the lawn, letting it shatter and mix with the ashes. Talon offered him the bottle. He drank straight from the top, desperately trying not to shatter it as well. He was going to tear Vairik apart piece by piece.
The future High Lady of Levea carried marks of her confinement, mirroring the very ones Arianna bore. Jagged scars along her wrists that would forever remind her of the atrocities she’d suffered. Rion glanced down at the fading lines along his own wrists. They were like brands now, a symbol of taint they’d never be rid of.
Gods, what he would give for a peaceful life. He and Arianna had once discussed building a small village where they could live in peace. Maybe with the help of Pádraigín’s magic, they could hide away from the world, never to suffer again.
He shook his head. Not likely.
Even his hope was covered in ash.
Rion clenched his jaw, remembering the sound of Ellie’s blade as it slid effortlessly through Kirian’s body.
Ellie hadn’t even hesitated. She would remember both the sound and the act, along with the male’s whispered words of farewell. She would remember the way she’d let him fall and the sound of his grinding bones as the Dark Fae devoured his body.
Even if she woke in her right mind, the demons haunting her might prove to be too much. He knew if their situations were reversed, he’d never forgive himself. Hell, he still hadn’t forgiven himself for what he’d done to his mate, even if Niall had been the cause of it all.
Rion drank again. He should have done more. He’dwantedto do more, but instead he’d listened to others despitehis instincts roaring at him. He should have searched for Ellie personally instead of resting. He should have seen to Niall’s capture instead of leaving him in the hands of others. He should—
“Wallowing is a new look on you,” Talon commented, taking the bottle back to indulge himself.
“I wallow a lot, ask Saoirse.”
“You don’t think waking Ellie is a good idea, either.”
“I’m not sure we have another choice.”
Talon turned away but Rion caught the way his throat bobbed. “Arianna plans to run.”
Rion sighed. “I know.”
“What do you want to do about it?”
His jaw clenched again. “Nothing. She won’t leave her sister behind, and if Ellie is as bad off as I predict she’ll be ...” Rion trailed off and glanced sidelong at Talon. The male looked as tired as he felt. “It’s good we’re going to Nàdair. Seeing Levea in a decimated state wouldn’t be good for either of them.” It wouldn’t be good for Talon either, though Rion didn’t say as much.
