But to erase moments entirely … was it even possible? If that creature was really her mate, that would make him the most important person in her life. To remove a bond that deep—she remembered how distraught and distant her father had been after her mother’s death.
No, it seemed more likely that this was all just a facade. Pádraigín’s magic had to be at work, perhaps on all of them. Gavin was still here, after all. He was Vairik’s grandson, and he’d already admitted to having the ability to lie.
Arianna studied the corners of the room. How easy would it be for someone like him to conceal themselves in the shadows? Niall had hidden the half-breeds from her when she’d first arrived in Ruadhán.
Talon could be a traitor, but he could just as easily be a victim. Perhaps he was being manipulated, too. Niall had wanted to be crowned king, but what if Vairik had simply switched tactics and had decided to place The Demon in his son’s stead?
But … Vairik hated The Demon, right? Or was that just another lie, too?
Arianna grabbed the side of her head. Were any of them safe? If Talon was just a pawn, then he might be in danger. They all might be in danger.
“You okay?” Talon asked, leaning forward.
No, she wasn’t. She was reeling, trying to sort through the swell of truths and lies. How was she supposed to sort through it all? Who was the source? Who had betrayed her? Gavin was from Pádraigín. Raevina was from Fiadh. Both could be working together.
Could she trust anyone?
Ellie. She could trust Ellie. Maybe that’s why they were keeping her sedated, because her little sister actually knew the truth.
Arianna didn’t answer; instead, she asked, “And you’re just … okay with him? You’re okay with all of this?” She waved one arm through the air.
“I wasn’t at first,” he admitted. “But I watched the way he treated you and it changed my mind. That and what he didfor the citizens when Ruadhán fell.” Arianna didn’t know what Talon was referring to. She didn’t remember much beyond the aftermath. “You should know: Ellie risked her life to bring him back to you.”
“Ellie … saved him?”
Talon nodded. “We thought we’d lost them both.” Arianna didn’t remember that, either. Nothing made sense. It didn’t feel right. But Talon was looking at her, waiting, hoping.
She could go along with them for now, play into their lies and deceptions until she found a chance to escape. Or until she rooted out the traitor. Her father would help, too. He’d tell her the truth. But … Levea. She didn’t even know if her father was still alive.
Arianna swallowed the lump forming in her throat and changed the subject. “Where do we go from here?”
Talon clenched his jaw. It was clear he’d hoped to break through her mental barriers. “I’d like to see Levea for myself.”
“What about the Dark Fae?”
“They’ve swept across the country, but most appear to hide during the day. Raevina and I can circle above to ensure we avoid them.”
“What about the rebels?”
“Raevina and I found a map in Ashling. Connall’s base was already circled. All we can hope is that they managed to escape in time.”
Arianna’s heart clenched all over again. There’d been so many younglings there. “And if Levea really is gone?”
“Then we head to Nàdair,” Talon said. “The mountains will help deter the Dark Fae. I’m sure Brónach’s High Lord has already taken precautions after Levea’s fall. If he’s smart, he’ll have blocked the pass entirely with the same redwoods that surround their capital city.”
“You plan to cross through the mountains?”
Talon nodded. “According to you, Rion,” she cringed at the name, “and the rebels, the creatures there are actually Guardians that protected The Divine and her mate. They might be able to help us.”
Right, that was something else Connall had told them. But Ellie … If they ventured to Levea first, it would risk exposing them. Not only that, they could very well encounter the dark creatures that had destroyed their home city. She wanted to see the level of destruction just as much as anyone else, but—
“We head straight for Nàdair.” Talon grimaced, and he looked like he wanted to protest, but she continued. “We can’t risk Ellie. Once she’s safe, we’ll see if anyone there has information on Levea.” Silence filled the room. Talon watched his hands, twisting his fingers back and forth. “We can’t take on a whole army of Dark Fae by ourselves.”
“I could fly there,” he offered. She hated the desperation in his voice. “Just to see—”
“No, I need you with us.” It wasn’t just for Ellie’s sake. It was because Talon was the only one she knew more than the others. And if that Demon turned on them— “I want to wake Ellie tonight.”
Talon’s jaw worked. “Zylah thinks you should wait.”
