Chapter Four
Arianna
Zylah arrived early, helped her into a bath, then left Arianna to tend to herself. She sat in the warm water, relishing the way it relaxed her muscles. She scrubbed herself from head to toe with a lavender citrus soap, glad to finally wash away the dirt and grime from her body.
Arianna watched bubbles rise to the surface after she poured a cup of water over her shoulder.
The Demon had attacked Talon. She’d watched it with her own eyes, but something about the situation had been off.
Talon hadn’t reacted as if he’d felt threatened.
He’d reacted as if the actions were from someone not in their right mind.
It made sense, she supposed, that The Demon wasn’t stable.
Arianna stared at her hands. No, that wasn’t right. The moment had been … different. Emotional. She’d heard Saoirse call the creature’s name from downstairs. She’d scented the female’s worry, then had heard Zylah’s reassuring voice once they’d stepped back inside.
Part of her wanted to reason that it was all just an act, but then The Demon had looked up at her.
He’d seemed genuinely surprised and even ashamed that she’d witnessed the nearly violent exchange.
His magic was so volatile. It required little effort to cut or maim.
Even so, Talon hadn’t shied away from it.
She wasn’t even sure her friend had been afraid.
Arianna’s head hurt again despite the warm water relaxing her muscles.
She finished rinsing the suds from her body, then stood, reaching for the clean towel to dry herself off.
Arianna carefully dressed in the clothes provided by Tierney.
They were soft and warm, the same kind of clothes Ellie was currently wearing in the other room.
They were waking her soon, but Zylah had commanded Arianna to eat dinner first, just in case they wouldn’t get the chance to do so later. Arianna had reluctantly agreed.
Once in bed, Zylah traced runes over her spine again, then tucked her back into the pillows. She could move so much easier now.
A few more days, she promised herself. Just a few more days and she’d get Ellie away from these people.
Arianna fiddled with a loose string on the quilt while she waited for Zylah’s return.
Whispers sounded downstairs, so soft, for once, she couldn’t pick them up.
Frustration bubbled through her. She hated the secrecy, knowing perfectly well it concerned her or Ellie.
She hadn’t been able to hear much of the exchange between The Demon and Talon earlier, either.
Arianna blamed her head injury. It had been messing with all her senses.
The voices continued and Arianna tapped her foot.
She pulled the string clean out, creating a small hole in the square.
Arianna stared at it, a wave of guilt washing through her as she remembered the way Tierney had been nothing but kind.
Destroying her belongings didn’t feel like a proper way to express her gratitude.
Arianna ground her teeth, then finally pushed herself up to a sitting position. If they were going to make her wait, then she’d just go to Ellie herself. Let them protest all they wanted, if—a faint knock rapped against the door and Arianna froze.
That alluring spicy scent wafted from under the door, eliciting feelings through her that she didn’t want to face. Now or ever. Arianna gripped the edges of the quilt. She’d told Talon and Zylah both that she didn’t want to see him. She didn’t want anything to do with that creature or his lies.
Anger pulsed through her anew.
Arianna braced herself, waiting, but The Demon didn’t turn the handle.
Her mouth went dry as adrenaline flooded her system.
She glanced toward the window. She could escape now if she wanted to, but doing so would leave Ellie in their hands.
Arianna mentally cursed to herself. They had the perfect weapon to keep her compliant. Was that the reason they kept delaying?
“Arianna?” Her entire body jolted at the sound of her name on his lips. It was like a soft caress against her skin, one she wanted to fight against, but couldn’t resist. It was the pull of midnight that tempted the soul to do dangerous and seductive things.
Arianna inched herself back on the bed and pulled her magic to the edge of her fingertips.
She knew she couldn’t avoid him forever.
He had a spell on her friends to convince them of his sincerity.
They were going to be traveling to Nàdair together.
Which meant that if she didn’t face him now, she’d have to do so when they left.
She couldn’t fight him, she didn’t have the strength yet.
But she would soon. Could she play his game until then?
Arianna took a steadying breath and recalled the memories from their escape.
He’d helped them. He hadn’t killed Ellie.
Because he and Vairik had a plan together.
They had to. There wasn’t another explanation that made any sense.
He’d gone years, decades, roaming his country as a monster.
He was the one responsible for her mother’s death.
He’d taken The High Lady of Móirín in the dead of night.
He’d stolen her away from her mate. Her younglings.
He’d ruined everything.
“Can I come in?” The Demon’s voice broke through her thoughts, shattering them like a hammer coming down on a sheet of ice.
The pain in his tone pierced something broken in her own soul.
But someone like him couldn’t feel pain.
It was all an act, right? Would he manipulate her just like Niall had done?
What if she looked into his eyes and he took control and guided her every move from this point onward?
What if he used her to destroy Alastríona?
Arianna cleared her throat. “What do you want?”
He was silent on the other side for so long that Arianna wondered if he’d heard her. His rapid heartbeat told her he had. The door creaked and Arianna braced for him to rip it right off its hinges.
Instead, she heard his body slide to the floor, his weight pressing against the frame. “I just—want to know you’re okay.”
Arianna opened her mouth and closed it again. Talon claimed she hadn’t been able to kill The Demon in the past. But that had been before she’d ever killed anyone in her life. Things were different now. She had blood on her hands. Her only obstacle would be ensuring he didn’t ensnare her first.
“I’m fine.” Her voice was clipped, and she knew he could scent the lie even from here. She was far from fine. Her sister had been incapacitated, and she was a prisoner among faces that had once been her allies.
“Okay.” The Demon didn’t move.
Mate. She tried to feel for the thing her mother had always described. A tether within her own mind and body. All Arianna felt was an empty void.
Mates were gifted lifelong bonds. It was a blessing from the gods themselves. Even if one partner chose to never accept said bond, they’d still feel the presence of the other for the rest of their lives.
So why didn’t—an idea struck her. Had Gavin done something that would have made a bond apparent? Had Zylah drawn a rune to accomplish the same goal? Did they believe she’d be able to feel their false creation and thus wouldn’t try to escape?
Zylah had mentioned their bond hadn’t yet solidified, but what did that mean exactly?
Arianna bit the inside of her cheek and steeled herself. She could do this. They hadn’t killed her or put her in chains, which meant they wanted her compliance. If they got it, then Vairik would have an even stronger hold on the continent.
She wouldn’t have to do much, and it was just until they reached Nàdair. Once inside the city, she’d demand their High Lord put chains on every single one of them.
Arianna took another steadying breath, preparing herself for what she was about to do. Face a monster.
“You—” She nearly choked on the word, hating the only option she’d been given. For Ellie, she told herself. “You can come in.”
A beat of silence echoed from the other side of the door. “Are you sure?”
“No,” she admitted. “I’m not really sure about anything.
” She didn’t need to lie. Their goal was to attempt to convince her.
All she had to do was go along with the act.
It was perfect, really; they knew she didn’t believe half of the things they were saying.
Which meant she could slowly allow them to believe otherwise.
She heard The Demon stand, the wood creaking as his weight lifted. The handle slowly turned, then the door swung open to reveal his form.
Beautiful. He was so sinfully beautiful that it was hardly fair.
The Demon stood a few inches shorter than the doorframe, his hair and clothing just as disheveled as she’d seen them earlier through the window.
Arianna quickly scanned his body for weapons, not that he needed them.
But his magic wasn’t out, either. The only thing this creature carried was the tray between his hands that held the dinner Zylah had promised.
Arianna studied his face. Auburn hair hung loose, nearly falling over his eyes again.
Again? Did she remember it being longer?
He held perfectly still as she surveyed him.
A statue carved by the gods. His body was battle-honed.
He’d easily overpower her physically, but something in his eyes told her he wouldn’t even try.
There was so much agony there, written in the lines of his expression.
It tugged at a part of her she didn’t want to recognize.
Rion. That’s the name Talon had used. Talon, of all people.
Her friend who had gone to war with this creature time and time again.
Talon, who had trained her, warning about this monster’s ruthless fighting methods.
Talon, who had instructed her to avoid being in the same room with him at all costs. Talon, who would die to protect her.
Arianna’s eyes flicked toward the chair at her bedside, then returned to the monster in the room. If he sat there, he’d be too close, but judging from the faint scent, he’d already been in here while she was unconscious. Why?
An awkward silence filled the space. She knew he was waiting for an invitation. Luring her as if she had a choice in any of this. Her heart raced faster. She scanned his body again. Still no sign of his magic.
She could do this, she reminded herself. Just for a little while.
“I—Talon told me,” she stopped herself, searching for the words.
What if they were right? What if this male really did care about her and her for him?
Should she try to preserve his feelings?
Would she regret the words that fell from her lips once her memories returned?
Could she even trust those memories? A tendril of darkness snaked through her mind and Arianna’s anger returned tenfold.
She clenched the quilt still draped over her lap.
“I’d prefer it if we weren’t alone.” She wasn’t sure it was possible for the agony in his eyes to get any deeper. Arianna waited for him to lash out, for his face to contort with anger, if only for a brief second.
The Demon simply nodded. “Okay.” He held up the tray. “May I put this on the table?” His head tilted toward the small nightstand beside her bed. Arianna chewed her lip before nodding. Her magic pulsed in her palms. Ready. Waiting.
He crossed the room on impossibly silent feet. Her breath hitched when his scent wafted over her. The Demon slid the lamp to the side before easing the tray onto the table. He stepped back, but stared down at her. Their eyes locked, both searching for something neither would find.
Too close, too close, too close.
Frost covered Arianna’s hands against her will and his eyes flashed to the blankets, seeming to scent and note her magic. He missed nothing; she’d have to remember that if she hoped to catch him off guard. She shifted on the bed and winced slightly.
His hand flexed. “Do you want me to—”
“No,” she said too quickly, hoping he wouldn’t reach out for her. “I’ve got it.”
Rion pulled a small vial from his pocket and set it beside her tray. “It’s medicine. It’ll help with the pain.”
Arianna eyed it warily. “You made it?”
“No, you did, right before we went after Ellie.”
Ellie. He said her sister’s name as if they were friends.
Anyone not friends with her sister always called her Evelyn.
Arianna studied the vial, and images of her and Zylah stirring a pot in the middle of a small cabin surfaced.
Zylah had been teaching her while they simultaneously practiced new healing runes. Arianna’s brow furrowed.
“I won’t crowd you,” he said, his gaze returning to the tray. “I just—” his jaw clenched. “I’m here. If you need anything. Zylah will be in once you’re done and we’ll see if we can wake Ellie.”
Arianna’s heart jolted. She hadn’t expected them to want to wake her sister.
If Ellie knew the truth about everything …
unless … unless they didn’t think she’d remember.
And if Ellie did remember—Arianna’s heart tugged as she recalled Kirian.
How was she supposed to comfort her sister after something like that?
“I’m—” The Demon stopped himself, then shook his head before spinning for the door.
This powerful male looked … defeated. His hand clutched the doorframe, and he hesitated again.
Arianna watched his fists clench and unclench.
She thought he might say something else, but then he was gone, his heavy footfalls stomping down the stairs.
The front door opened and slammed shut a moment later, and a hushed silence fell around the group below.
Arianna peered out the window, but all she could see was ash falling from the sky.
Her gaze traveled to the dinner on the tray.
A thick broth with meat, potatoes, and vegetables.
A glass of orange juice stood beside it.
She furrowed her brow. All things she loved, right down to the oozing chocolate pastry in the corner.