Chapter Thirty-One
Arianna
Arianna ran to her room, pulled her hair back in a tight braid, buckled her weapons in place, then returned to the throne room in record time. The others trickled in, though individuals like Raevina were always prepared for anything. Liam had washed his face, but he wore the same clothes, ready to tackle another day. She hoped they’d all get to rest soon.
Sive and Liam guided their group to the door that would lead them underground, and ultimately to secrets that hadn’t been uncovered for millennia. Only Zylah and Gavin were absent. The half-breed was tending to Ellie, mentally preparing her sister for the task to come.
Ellie had reluctantly agreed to help last night. No one liked involving her, least of all Gavin, who was adamantly fighting against Ellie leaving her bed at all. According to others, Gavin rarely left her room. Ellie hadn’t complained about his presence. Arianna wished she’d complain about something.
At the end of the hall, a small group of people stood before a perfectly carved arched doorway. A thick slab of marble had been swung outward, hanging on metal hinges that hardly looked as if they could support the weight.
A table had been scooted off to one side, and a large painting leaned against it. Arianna supposed it was only because of Eimear that they knew the entrance existed at all.
Maybe after the war, they’d bring some of their findings to the surface and let the people read through their real histories. It would be the start of a new era. The start of the truth.
Despite wanting to rid the world of Vairik, Arianna would ensure no one ever forgot him. Future generations needed to learn how his tyranny began, that way they’d know to riseagainst such leaders in the future. She wondered how many from Pádraigín would die due to false beliefs. How many more didn’t have a choice?
Liam led the way, descending the flight of stairs with a few from Fiadh at his side, each balancing small flames in their palms to light the way. A few more orbs floated ahead, illuminating the massive hall. The ceiling towered above them, growing taller with each descending step. The same carved vines from the hall seamlessly wound their way inside, shifting to a golden color that shimmered in the firelight. But instead of white marble, everything here was coated in gray stone.
Rion remained close, magic swirling around his feet. His hand never left the hilt of his weapon. It was the closest he’d been since she’d pinned him in the throne room with a blade to his throat. She glanced over quickly, noting that the small wound had already healed. Arianna couldn’t help staring at the column of his throat and the way the muscles there flexed whenever he moved his head. Rion turned toward her and Arianna abruptly looked away.
Saoirse followed directly behind, a knife in her palm as she, too, scanned the shadows. Arianna couldn’t see the female’s magic, but she could scent it in the air. Raevina and Talon walked just ahead, both ready and willing to give their lives should the need arise. She prayed it wouldn’t.
Arianna’s magic stirred with every step, growing, growing, growing until it crawled across her skin. It ached to skitter across the floor, almost as if it remembered this place. Had Laoirse ever ventured inside, or was it hidden even then? A thrum echoed around her that reminded Arianna of the forbidden forest. She felt stronger here. More connected to their world somehow.
All were silent, listening and observing, the only sound their breaths and footfalls and clothing brushing against the hilts of their blades.
A musty smell rose, greeting her, and Arianna clenched her teeth. She was suddenly reminded of the stairs she’d raced down in her quest to locate Vairik. Arianna swore she could still hear the gruesome sounds of the Dark Fae feasting on what she now presumed to be Connall’s warriors. The crunching and tearing still haunted her nightmares.
“Almost there,” Liam promised, as if sensing her unease.
Ten more steps and Liam walked out onto a level floor. The space had already been lit with several sconces that lined the walls. The flames flickered on a phantom wind and Arianna’s skin prickled as she scanned the area. Just like in Levea, there were statues throughout the space, many set into alcoves carved out of the stone. Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust and cobwebs. It looked as if nothing had been disturbed for centuries, just as Eimear claimed.
Arianna glanced down either side of the long hall. Each end carried a slight curve to it, as if it might circle in on itself.
“This way,” Liam instructed, walking to their right. The warriors stationed throughout the area inclined their heads to the warrior in passing, but promptly bowed upon seeing her. Voices ahead had Arianna’s heart racing with anticipation. Weavers and Fae alike stood before carvings etched into the side wall in an arc. Green and gold were inlaid into the symbols that ran up and down either side of a largely empty center.
“This is a door?” Talon asked, doubt flooding his voice.
A woman stood and Raevina stepped closer to Talon, eyeing the Weaver who hadn’t so much as spoken. The woman had chestnut hair that hung down to her shoulders, though one side had been braided back. Her wide eyes stared at Raevina, scanning the female from head to toe. Raevina’s lips pulled backfrom her teeth and Arianna braced for a fight. Declared or no, Raevina and Talon were still mates. If something about this woman made Raevina feel threatened—
The woman turned toward Arianna instead. “We’ve finished deciphering the runes, my Lady. It’s a simple lock that won’t cause any harm to you or your mate.”
Arianna bristled at the word. It didn’t go unnoticed.
Talon stepped forward. “Róisín, wasn’t it?”
She beamed. “You remembered.” Raevina didn’t look nearly as impressed.
Talon nodded, pointedly ignoring Róisín’s excitement as he examined the runes himself. He didn’t reach out to touch them. After Sive’s warning, Arianna wasn’t sure she wanted to touch them, either. “Why so many symbols?”
“Most are warnings,” Róisín replied, “Others are traps.”
“Traps?”
The woman grimaced. “If anyone who isn’t the rightful King or Queen tries to enter, their magic will be stolen and added to the wards.”
“Better than being folded into pages,” Saoirse said, stepping closer.
