“He’ll believe Saoirse.” He’d believe their mother, too—Rion clenched his eyes shut, trying to drown out the images plaguing him.
“We’ll take it one step at a time. The first thing we need to do is get to Nàdair.”
“No,” Rion straightened, wiping the back of his mouth before facing Talon again. “The first thing we need to do is face Ellie when she wakes.” He followed Talon’s stare and his heart jolted when he saw a set of beautiful eyes staring at him from the upstairs window. She didn’t duck or look away, but her hardened gaze said enough.
She’d just seen everything. His outburst. His emotion. His instability.
She’d likely heard everything, too.
And Rion had no idea what it meant for their future.
Chapter Four
Arianna
Zylah arrived early, helped her into a bath, then left Arianna to tend to herself. She sat in the warm water, relishing the way it relaxed her muscles. She scrubbed herself from head to toe with a lavender citrus soap, glad to finally wash away the dirt and grime from her body.
Arianna watched bubbles rise to the surface after she poured a cup of water over her shoulder. The Demon had attacked Talon. She’d watched it with her own eyes, but something about the situation had been off. Talon hadn’t reacted as if he’d felt threatened. He’d reacted as if the actions were from someone not in their right mind.
It made sense, she supposed, that The Demon wasn’t stable.
Arianna stared at her hands. No, that wasn’t right. The moment had been … different. Emotional. She’d heard Saoirse call the creature’s name from downstairs. She’d scented the female’s worry, then had heard Zylah’s reassuring voice once they’d stepped back inside.
Part of her wanted to reason that it was all just an act, but then The Demon had looked up at her. He’d seemed genuinely surprised and even ashamed that she’d witnessed the nearly violent exchange. His magic was so volatile. It required little effort to cut or maim. Even so, Talon hadn’t shied away from it. She wasn’t even sure her friend had been afraid.
Arianna’s head hurt again despite the warm water relaxing her muscles. She finished rinsing the suds from her body, then stood, reaching for the clean towel to dry herself off. Arianna carefully dressed in the clothes provided by Tierney.They were soft and warm, the same kind of clothes Ellie was currently wearing in the other room.
They were waking her soon, but Zylah had commanded Arianna to eat dinner first, just in case they wouldn’t get the chance to do so later. Arianna had reluctantly agreed.
Once in bed, Zylah traced runes over her spine again, then tucked her back into the pillows. She could move so much easier now.
A few more days, she promised herself. Just a few more days and she’d get Ellie away from these people.
Arianna fiddled with a loose string on the quilt while she waited for Zylah’s return. Whispers sounded downstairs, so soft, for once, she couldn’t pick them up. Frustration bubbled through her. She hated the secrecy, knowing perfectly well it concerned her or Ellie. She hadn’t been able to hear much of the exchange between The Demon and Talon earlier, either. Arianna blamed her head injury. It had been messing with all her senses.
The voices continued and Arianna tapped her foot. She pulled the string clean out, creating a small hole in the square. Arianna stared at it, a wave of guilt washing through her as she remembered the way Tierney had been nothing but kind. Destroying her belongings didn’t feel like a proper way to express her gratitude.
Arianna ground her teeth, then finally pushed herself up to a sitting position. If they were going to make her wait, then she’d just go to Ellie herself. Let them protest all they wanted, if—a faint knock rapped against the door and Arianna froze.
That alluring spicy scent wafted from under the door, eliciting feelings through her that she didn’t want to face. Now or ever. Arianna gripped the edges of the quilt. She’d told Talon and Zylah both that she didn’t want to see him. She didn’t want anything to do with that creature or his lies.
Anger pulsed through her anew.
Arianna braced herself, waiting, but The Demon didn’t turn the handle. Her mouth went dry as adrenaline flooded her system. She glanced toward the window. She could escape now if she wanted to, but doing so would leave Ellie in their hands. Arianna mentally cursed to herself. They had the perfect weapon to keep her compliant. Was that the reason they kept delaying?
“Arianna?” Her entire body jolted at the sound of her name on his lips. It was like a soft caress against her skin, one she wanted to fight against, but couldn’t resist. It was the pull of midnight that tempted the soul to do dangerous and seductive things.
Arianna inched herself back on the bed and pulled her magic to the edge of her fingertips. She knew she couldn’t avoid him forever. He had a spell on her friends to convince them of his sincerity. They were going to be traveling to Nàdair together. Which meant that if she didn’t face him now, she’d have to do so when they left. She couldn’t fight him, she didn’t have the strength yet. But she would soon. Could she play his game until then?
Arianna took a steadying breath and recalled the memories from their escape. He’d helped them. He hadn’t killed Ellie. Because he and Vairik had a plan together. They had to. There wasn’t another explanation that made any sense. He’d gone years, decades, roaming his country as a monster. He was the one responsible for her mother’s death. He’d taken The High Lady of Móirín in the dead of night. He’d stolen her away from her mate. Her younglings.
He’d ruined everything.
“Can I come in?” The Demon’s voice broke through her thoughts, shattering them like a hammer coming down on a sheet of ice. The pain in his tone pierced something broken in her own soul. But someone like him couldn’t feel pain. It was all an act, right? Would he manipulate her just like Niall had done?What if she looked into his eyes and he took control and guided her every move from this point onward?
What if he used her to destroy Alastríona?
Arianna cleared her throat. “What do you want?”
