Right. Fair enough. She fidgeted, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. How was she supposed to feel? To act? This male felt like a threat and the center of her universe all at once. Part of her wanted to kill him and part of her wanted to run into his arms.
“What did you mean earlier, about hurting me?”
Rion grimaced. “Where to begin.” He sighed. “Vairik and Niall both have apparently made it their life’s mission to inflict as much pain on me as possible. When we were in Ruadhán, Niall attempted to convince us the bond wasn’t real.”
“How?”
“He started small at first, but things escalated. He—there was an incident. I thought you were in trouble and ran to your aid. Niall made me believe I encountered your attacker when it was actually you.” Rion’s jaw worked, and he nodded toward her arm. “The scar there,” she looked down at the thick mark. “I broke the bone and the one on your neck—” She reached up instinctively. “I nearly tore out your throat. It’s part of the reason you’re afraid of my magic.”
He’d almost killed her? That was a step beyond simply hurting her. “Why didn’t you?”
“I tasted your blood. No matter what kind of sick hold they had on me, they couldn’t mask that.”
“Talon said you ran.”
“Because you commanded me to.”
Commanded. And the way he was looking at her now told Arianna he’d listen to almost anything else she commanded.
Arianna rubbed her temple, feeling the headache from earlier pulsing. “I think I’d like to be alone now.”
He bowed slightly, lower than she expected. “Of course. There’s a bell flower by the door, just ring it, and a servant will come to assist you.”
Rion started for the exit, but she stopped him. “Where is my sister?”
“In the infirmary. Your father is with her.”
Silence again. His lips parted as if he wanted to say more, but Rion ducked from the room, his nearly silent footfalls disappearing down the hall.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Rion
Rion checked the sentinels stationed around Arianna’s room. The first was Cahira, one of Raevina’s companions and someone who had guarded Arianna during his absence. The rest came from her father’s personal guard, all males and females who were put in iron and made to swear fealty all over again. A few also came from Alec’s personal forces, warriors Rion had worked with in the past, including Eoghan.
He studied the schedule of their rotations. Alec had ensured that no one group could overpower another in the event of a betrayal. It was as good as things could get, all obstacles considered. He would have gladly stayed by Arianna’s door himself day and night if it weren’t for Saoirse pointing out that he looked dead on his feet.
Rion took a breath, met Eoghan’s gaze one final time, then headed for his old room. He knew the male was full of questions, but Rion didn’t have the energy to answer them. Someone else could fill the male in on why Arianna couldn’t stand to be in his presence.
Rion clenched his jaw. She’d spoken to him. Arianna had allowed him to fill her in on some things, at least. Maybe that meant there was finally hope. They’d talk again, of that much he was certain.
Rion pulled the key from his pocket and unlocked his room. He did a quick scan to ensure no one was hiding in the shadows, then he showered, put on clean clothes, and collapsed onto his mattress. Rion draped one arm over his head and stared up at the ceiling.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laid in a bed alone. The space beside him was cold. A void. He longed forthat gentle heartbeat. It was the lullaby that lulled him to sleep, a constant thrum that reminded him the person he treasured most in this world was alive and well and safe. He ached for the gentle smell of lilies and the way it would engulf him whenever she rolled over. The way her body would conform to his, scooting toward his warmth even in her sleep.
Rion clenched his jaw. Gods above, he missed her. Rion had once told her he could leave. He was certain then that he could have given her anything she wanted, but now? Now, he’d do anything to get her back. Anything, absolutely anything to remind her of the promises they’d made to one another.
Memories swam through him, all things he couldn’t mention without overwhelming her further. Arianna had listened to him without malice. She’d been genuinely curious even if she was still wary. Maybe in the morning he would find her on a veranda and just … talk. Show her he wasn’t a—Rion bit the inside of his cheek. Hewasa monster, or had been one, even if he’d been manipulated into it. Rion scoffed. He had to give Vairik props for his level of creative torture. He’d truly made Rion’s worst nightmares come alive.
Rion rolled over, staring at the far wall across his room. Cold. Empty. Lifeless. Just like he felt now.
RION GLIMPSED her figure at the end of the hall, her loose hair shifting gently in the warm breeze as she stared out over the edge of the balcony. Moonlight reflected off the strands, haloing the top portion with a bluish glow. A white nightdress gently rustled around her ankles. Her shoulders were relaxed and the very air around her radiated an air of calm.
Rion remained at the far end of the corridor, utterly still and hidden within the shadows. Gods, she was radiant. A light he might never touch again. Arianna stared up at the starsdotting the night sky, seeming to drink in the ethereal sight before her.
Rion’s heart ached with longing. He wanted nothing more than to ease closer. Perhaps she’d allow a bit of conversation. But … how long had it been since he’d seen her like this? Just enjoying something without her guard up. She looked so beautiful lost in her own thoughts. Disturbing her felt like the greatest of sins.
Instead, Rion remained still, his magic in check as he drank in the sight before him. Carefully, he leaned against the wall, letting his head rest against the cool marble. Her back rose and fell with slow, even breaths.What are you thinking?Perhaps she was lost in a pleasant memory from her childhood. Something that had existed before the darkness of the world had done so much damage.
