He was silent on the other side for so long that Arianna wondered if he’d heard her. His rapid heartbeat told her he had. The door creaked and Arianna braced for him to rip it right off its hinges.
Instead, she heard his body slide to the floor, his weight pressing against the frame. “I just—want to know you’re okay.”
Arianna opened her mouth and closed it again. Talon claimed she hadn’t been able to kill The Demon in the past. But that had been before she’d ever killed anyone in her life. Things were different now. She had blood on her hands. Her only obstacle would be ensuring he didn’t ensnare her first.
“I’m fine.” Her voice was clipped, and she knew he could scent the lie even from here. She was far from fine. Her sister had been incapacitated, and she was a prisoner among faces that had once been her allies.
“Okay.” The Demon didn’t move.
Mate. She tried to feel for the thing her mother had always described. A tether within her own mind and body. All Arianna felt was an empty void.
Mates were gifted lifelong bonds. It was a blessing from the gods themselves. Even if one partner chose to never accept said bond, they’d still feel the presence of the other for the rest of their lives.
So why didn’t—an idea struck her. Had Gavin done something that would have made a bond apparent? Had Zylah drawn a rune to accomplish the same goal? Did they believe she’d be able to feel their false creation and thus wouldn’t try to escape?
Zylah had mentioned their bond hadn’t yet solidified, but what did that mean exactly?
Arianna bit the inside of her cheek and steeled herself. She could do this. They hadn’t killed her or put her in chains, which meant they wanted her compliance. If they got it, then Vairik would have an even stronger hold on the continent.
She wouldn’t have to do much, and it was just until they reached Nàdair. Once inside the city, she’d demand their High Lord put chains on every single one of them.
Arianna took another steadying breath, preparing herself for what she was about to do. Face a monster.
“You—” She nearly choked on the word, hating the only option she’d been given.For Ellie, she told herself. “You can come in.”
A beat of silence echoed from the other side of the door. “Are you sure?”
“No,” she admitted. “I’m not really sure about anything.” She didn’t need to lie. Their goal was to attempt to convince her. All she had to do was go along with the act. It was perfect, really; they knew she didn’t believe half of the things they were saying. Which meant she could slowly allow them to believe otherwise.
She heard The Demon stand, the wood creaking as his weight lifted. The handle slowly turned, then the door swung open to reveal his form.
Beautiful. He was so sinfully beautiful that it was hardly fair. The Demon stood a few inches shorter than the doorframe, his hair and clothing just as disheveled as she’d seen them earlier through the window. Arianna quickly scanned his body for weapons, not that he needed them. But his magic wasn’t out, either. The only thing this creature carried was the tray between his hands that held the dinner Zylah had promised.
Arianna studied his face. Auburn hair hung loose, nearly falling over his eyes again. Again? Did she remember it beinglonger? He held perfectly still as she surveyed him. A statue carved by the gods. His body was battle-honed. He’d easily overpower her physically, but something in his eyes told her he wouldn’t even try. There was so much agony there, written in the lines of his expression. It tugged at a part of her she didn’t want to recognize.
Rion. That’s the name Talon had used. Talon, of all people. Her friend who had gone to war with this creature time and time again. Talon, who had trained her, warning about this monster’s ruthless fighting methods. Talon, who had instructed her to avoid being in the same room with him at all costs. Talon, who would die to protect her.
Arianna’s eyes flicked toward the chair at her bedside, then returned to the monster in the room. If he sat there, he’d be too close, but judging from the faint scent, he’d already been in here while she was unconscious. Why?
An awkward silence filled the space. She knew he was waiting for an invitation. Luring her as if she had a choice in any of this. Her heart raced faster. She scanned his body again. Still no sign of his magic.
She could do this, she reminded herself. Just for a little while.
“I—Talon told me,” she stopped herself, searching for the words. What if they were right? What if this male really did care about her and her for him? Should she try to preserve his feelings? Would she regret the words that fell from her lips once her memories returned? Could she even trust those memories? A tendril of darkness snaked through her mind and Arianna’s anger returned tenfold. She clenched the quilt still draped over her lap.
“I’d prefer it if we weren’t alone.” She wasn’t sure it was possible for the agony in his eyes to get any deeper. Ariannawaited for him to lash out, for his face to contort with anger, if only for a brief second.
The Demon simply nodded. “Okay.” He held up the tray. “May I put this on the table?” His head tilted toward the small nightstand beside her bed. Arianna chewed her lip before nodding. Her magic pulsed in her palms. Ready. Waiting.
He crossed the room on impossibly silent feet. Her breath hitched when his scent wafted over her. The Demon slid the lamp to the side before easing the tray onto the table. He stepped back, but stared down at her. Their eyes locked, both searching for something neither would find.
Too close, too close, too close.
Frost covered Arianna’s hands against her will and his eyes flashed to the blankets, seeming to scent and note her magic. He missed nothing; she’d have to remember that if she hoped to catch him off guard. She shifted on the bed and winced slightly.
His hand flexed. “Do you want me to—”
“No,” she said too quickly, hoping he wouldn’t reach out for her. “I’ve got it.”
