Chapter Two #4
But when he talked about her time in The Demon’s care, her memories were different.
She’d been with Zylah, not that creature.
The pair had stayed with one another in a hovel full of other half-breeds that struggled daily for their own survival.
They’d attended to chores, fulfilled every disgusting desire his warriors demanded, and kept their heads low until the day Talon had finally shown up to set them all free.
But those memories were also … strange. She hadn’t noticed how fragile they were, as if the images were frayed at the edges, ready to unravel if she were just brave enough to tug on the ends.
Arianna didn’t tell him as much, she only listened, trying to imagine herself at The Demon’s mercy.
Trying to imagine a version of herself that would have shown such a creature compassion.
How many times had she witnessed Talon’s pain?
How many times had she seen her friend’s hollow eyes because of that monster?
And she’d saved him?
Talon told her about how she’d protected Rion from her father next. Her brow furrowed at that. She remembered her anger, but couldn’t recall the reason she’d chosen to stay in that small cabin rather than return to her room on her family’s estate. She remembered Ellie visiting a lot, too.
Perhaps she’d simply desired solitude or maybe some of the things her friend was telling her were the truth.
It was a long while before he finished. Long enough that she’d set her empty bowl on the side table. The sun had shifted behind her as well, leaning more into the afternoon hour.
Silence engulfed the room when Talon finally paused.
“So,” she started. “You’re telling me that I fell for someone who kept me as his prisoner?”
Talon grimaced. “You claimed the relationship was different. That things happened between you.”
“What things?”
“I don’t know. You never went into detail.”
Arianna chewed her lip. Her memories didn’t feel false, exactly.
She could see the colors, taste the things she’d eaten, feel the cold sheets when she’d woken up on brisk mornings.
But those edges were still there, sewn through everything.
Were they because of Vairik? Niall? She’d been alone with both males, it was difficult to believe they wouldn’t have tampered with her mind. Especially Vairik.
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 did for 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.”
“I don’t care what Zylah thinks. I want her up and I want that damn chain off her.”
Another beat of silence. “Okay, but if she panics, we’ll have to put her out again.”
“And then what?” Arianna challenged. “We just watch her slowly starve to death?”
Talon’s face paled. “There’s not a good answer.”
Arianna’s anger simmered, burning through her. Tears brimmed to the surface. “I don’t like this. I don’t like any of it.”
“Neither do I.” He stood. “Get some rest. I’ll send Zylah up later to help you shower, then we’ll wake Ellie.” He moved to the table and picked up the tray, but paused before turning toward the door. “Do you need anything else?”
Arianna shook her head. Her throat burned from swallowing back tears. She was so tired. Tired of everything. Arianna refused to look at him again, lest the dam break. She knew Talon was barely holding it together, too.
“Okay. I’ll be downstairs if you need me.” She didn’t respond, but when the door clicked shut, Arianna loosed a breath and a hot tear trailed down her cheek. Ice coated her hands and the blankets she’d been clenching. Her magic was just as volatile as it had been before they’d gone after Vairik.
They’d be traveling soon, which meant she’d come face to face with that creature downstairs.
She hated everything about him. From his face, to his magic, to the way he’d looked at her with utter devastation, as if his world had been ripped out from under him. It would be better, easier, if he looked at her with some level of contempt, just so she could confirm the lies to herself.
Mate.
Him.
How did they expect her to believe she’d ever cared for someone so heartless? The thought was absolutely abhorrent. If they wanted her to believe a facade, then they could have at least come up with something better.
Unless they weren’t lying at all.
Arianna took a steadying breath. She just needed to have patience and take the days one at a time.
They’d get to Nàdair, she’d ensure her sister was safe, then she’d figure out whether her friends had been affected by Pádraigín’s magic or if they were really traitors.
Beyond that, she’d discover if her father was still alive, then make plans to eradicate Vairik and his ilk from the face of the continent.
She was a queen that was meant to bring peace, but it seemed their entire world would have to shatter first.