One. They were one and even if she couldn’t remember Rion as her mate, she could feel it in the way their magic danced with one another. Together, they were whole and at peace.
With the pool full, something clicked over. A mechanical sound echoed off the walls. Then something metal turned, fell, and slid into place. Another did the same. Then another. And another. It filled the entire chamber with the sound of heavy metal and gears that none could see.
The runes on her skin began to fade. They lifted, then crawled back into the stone, settling into their respective spaces. Arianna remained still, waiting, just in case the structure needed time before she pulled away. She certainly didn’t want to have to do this again.
It wasn’t until the warmth in the stones faded that the door itself opened with a hiss of breath. The rest of the area remained glowing, pulsing with Arianna and Rion’s magic.
Arianna finally let her arm fall. Rion stepped toward her, then stopped himself, as if remembering their current awkward predicament. She wondered if she might have allowed him to pull her into his arms or if part of her would still recoil from his touch.
Another time, she told herself.
Both studied the faint crack in the door, the stone carved so perfectly they hadn’t been able to see the seam before now. Arianna rubbed her arm, trying to push the sensation of the runes away. Thankfully, they hadn’t permanently branded her.Her skin was as smooth and flawless as it had been before, save for the scars inflicted by Rion and the slavers. They would always be there, a constant reminder of the hell she’d endured.
“Are you okay?” Saoirse was the first to ask. She stared at her little brother a moment before reaching for his arm. Saoirse turned his palm over, examining the skin.
“I’m fine,” he assured, then gently pulled away. Arianna noted the sadness on Saoirse’s face, though the female was quick to hide it.
Rion’s eyes scanned Arianna from head to toe, lingering on that same arm. She wondered if he wanted to touch her just as Saoirse had done him.
“I’m not hurt,” she declared before anyone could ask. And she wasn’t. But the sheen of sweat covering Rion’s face mirrored her own. Both were slightly ashen as well. He looked just as drained as she felt. It was as if the door had taken all but a drop of her magic, leaving just enough for her to defend herself should the need arise.
The creature, Laoirse, who had been so active the last few weeks, had finally fallen silent, resting.
Liam stepped forward first with three warriors at his side. They drew their weapons.
“Wait,” Arianna called. “I have to be the one to go first, right?”
Liam grimaced then stepped back. Rion took his place beside Arianna and together they reached for the door, slowly letting it swing open. Despite his exhaustion, Rion’s magic still rose to surround them.
Talon, Raevina, and Liam followed just behind, ready to pull them back. Everyone had their weapons drawn. Everyone aside from Arianna. For some reason, the darkness beyond didn’t scare her. It beckoned her closer. Whispering like an old friend.
The door moved aside easily. Silently. And inside, that same bluish light illuminated the entire space. It raced across the walls and ceilings and even the floors. The light moved like water, filling floral patterns like leaves unfurling in spring.
Swirling crevices filled with blue light as well, reminding her so much of Levea that her heart ached. Fires roared to life in the corners, catching Raevina’s attention. Jewels reflected the flames, casting a rainbow of colors across the stone. Arianna wondered if it reminded the female of her home. Perhaps Raevina longed for the mountain as much as Arianna craved Levea’s waterfalls.
A library surrounded them. It was exactly what they’d been promised, yet so much more. A large foyer sat before them, decorated with soft chairs, plush carpets, glass vases full of flowers, and delicate lace beneath trinkets and decorative statues.
Arianna stepped forward, mouth slightly agape as she took in the perfection. This place hadn’t been touched in thousands of years, and yet it looked freshly polished, like attendants saw to the care of everything surrounding them.
“I—I don’t understand,” she said, turning toward Sive. “How?”
Sive placed a hand on one of the white tables before tracing the petals of a pink peony. “It’s not a glamour,” she said, as if speaking to herself. “It’s,” her brow furrowed, “the magic here is old. So very, very old.” Her gaze lifted and Arianna’s followed. Above them, the domed ceiling was covered in glittering gold with that same blue light lining the artwork. Even Raevina, who was usually stoic about such things, had her mouth slightly agape, eyes nearly sparkling with admiration. Talon seemed to be taking note.
Just like in Ruadhán, statues sat at the end of the bookcases, glass cases held relics from their past. Trailing floralgreenery covered the shelves, caressing the volumes with a gentle touch.
A large circular staircase led to the levels below. Arianna stepped toward it carefully, glancing down into the darkness that stretched beyond her line of sight. Fear curled in the back of her mind before being washed away.
Liam and his warriors began fanning out, scanning the space with equal amounts of caution and intrigue.
“Be sure not to leave this room without everyone following,” Róisín cautioned. “Just in case.” Right, because she didn’t want anyone trapped down here. Arianna half wondered if the magic that had preserved everything came from those who’d tried to infiltrate over the years. She shivered.
“All right,” Saoirse stated. “Where do we start?”
“From the bottom.” Arianna didn’t know why she said it, but something in the darkness was tugging her down.
“Stay in groups,” Liam cautioned.
Raevina clicked her tongue, then started down the stairs. Talon and another Móirín guard followed close behind.
