The High Lord hadn’t cleaned up. He wasn’t covered in as much gore as the rest of them, but it was still apparent by his hair, the dirt, and blood that he’d fought just as hard. Arianna studied his features. His hair was different from The Demon’s, a dark brown instead of red. His eyes were dark and slightly more angular. But the set of his jaw was similar, as were the cheek bones, clearly a gift from their father.
“Saoirse tells me we have a lot to discuss. I assume it can’t wait.” His eyes locked with hers.
“It can’t.”
Alec looked her up and down, seeming to note that she’d fought just as hard as the rest of them. Arianna thought she saw The Demon’s fists clench from the scrutiny. “You are the Queen of Alastríona.”
Arianna lifted her chin slightly. “I am.”
The High Lord didn’t bow as so many others had done. Instead, he inclined his head, but kept his eyes fixated on her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She searched for the lie, surprised at his sincerity. “I’ll send for the council and we can begin.”
“Only those you trust,” Arianna interjected.
He eyed her. “I trust them all.”
“You shouldn’t.”
Alec’s jaw worked, but not out of anger directed toward her. She knew that anger. The knowledge that you’d been betrayed and hadn’t had enough sense to realize by whom.
Saoirse entered quietly and stood beside The Demon. Arianna studied the male, her heart already pounding. Her father, Talon, and Raevina would return soon, along with Gavin. She could make her demands of them after she’d handled this male. It was safer for them if she did it now, anyway.
Arianna waited until Alec had finished speaking with a servant, then declared, “I want those two in iron.” Silence filled the air as Alec’s gaze traveled from her to Rion and Saoirse. Bothwere his siblings. She might have to negotiate for Saoirse, but there wasn’t any reason Alec should deny her request to lock up The Demon.
Alec cleared his throat. “Just so we’re clear—”
“Saoirse and The Demon.”
His gaze met Saoirse’s for a moment. “I’m not certain I understand.”
Arianna clenched her fists and stepped forward, determined to have her demands met. She locked eyes with the High Lord. “I want you in iron, too.”
Alec opened his mouth. Closed it. Tilted his head to regard her. His lips thinned, but he didn’t protest as she thought he might. “Vairik,” he finally said. “You want to see if there’s any influence over me.”
Arianna nodded. After another moment, Alec raised a hand, and a servant retreated only to return seconds later, bracelets in hand. She was silently grateful they weren’t shackles, though she wouldn’t have minded seeing The Demon in a pair. For some reason, the thought soured out her stomach.
“Wait for your council,” she said. “Dismiss your servants, keep only those you trust present.”
But Alec didn’t wait. He took the iron bracelet, slid it over his wrist and clicked the little metal latch into place before holding it up for her to see. “I’ll put it on again once they arrive. I hope this puts your mind at ease.”
No one moved for several seconds. Arianna waited for something to happen. Anything. She’d thought that by Alec putting on iron, it would release any hold Vairik or Niall might have over him. But if information had been erased or manipulated from their minds, then she supposed it wouldn’t be that simple. What had Sive said once? That those who left Connall’s refuge would just be re-influenced away fromthe truth? That just made it even more imperative that they eliminate anyone stationed here by Vairik.
She turned to face The Demon. Something about her had him straightening. Her fists clenched, fingernails biting into her flesh. Everything about him was so confusing and contradicting. He’d saved her. He’d saved others. Even so, she couldn’t forgive all the damage he’d caused. All the lives he’d stolen away.
“What’s your view on him?” Arianna asked, turning back to Alec. “We’re working to eliminate one monster. Are you okay with another roaming your halls?”
Saoirse and The Demon both flinched. His jaw flexed, but he didn’t look away from her.
Alec furrowed his brow, clearly confused. He glanced to Saoirse again, but his sister only shook her head. She knew what Saoirse would tell him later. The same lies they’d all been telling her, that Vairik had tampered with her memories. But if she got them in iron now. If she sorted out the traitors, then that lie might disappear altogether.
“As I understand it,” Alec began, his voice low, “Rion has been … making amends.”
“Amends,” Arianna echoed. “And that’s enough to combat the atrocities he’s committed? Anyone else would be sitting in a prison cell. Why is he not treated the same? Why is he allowed to roam free without punishment?”
Alec shuffled on his feet as all eyes turned to him. A sore subject, if the looks on certain faces were anything to judge by. He was the High Lord here, but she was the queen of their entire continent. And if she demanded Rion be clasped in chains and Alec refused, he’d be disobeying the very queen he should have bowed to from the beginning.
“I will pay for my crimes at a more appropriate time.”
Arianna whirled on The Demon. “Appropriate?” She raised a brow and scoffed a laugh. “Please, tell me when do youfind it a more appropriate time to pay for the crimes of murder and sabotage? For burning entire villages to the ground? For the countless innocents that suffered needlessly at your hands?” Arianna’s magic flared at her feet, creating jagged spikes of ice that jutted out at an angle, as if ready to launch toward her enemies. A few of the servants stepped back, unsure whether they should run or stay.
