Chapter Eight
Arianna
Arianna had dressed, changed, and now sat in the living area with Ellie across from her. Ellie’s young face was gaunt, the skin stretched too far across her cheekbones. She’d eaten again, thank the gods, but only thanks to The Demon’s prodding.
Arianna clenched her fists. Why him? She hated him. Gods above, she hated him with every fiber of her being. What had they done to Ellie that would result in her only obeying that creature’s demands? Was it because of Gavin?
Her gaze wandered toward the male. He never left Ellie’s side. From an onlooker’s perspective, he displayed nothing but concern. But what if it was a mask? What if he was the one preventing Ellie from telling her the truth?
Arianna wanted to escape from these people, travel the road on her own with Ellie at her side. No one would turn The Divine away.
She relaxed her hands, letting her fingertips splay over her thighs.
No, that had been a stupid plan from the start.
Vairik had eyes everywhere. He was likely the one who’d formed the factions that wanted her dead.
Yet another obstacle in her path. The only thing she’d accomplish by stealing her sister and running would be to put them both in even more danger.
Her best course of action, no matter how much she was loath to admit it, was to stick with these people until they were safe in Nàdair.
She prayed that was actually where they were headed.
Talon had laid out a map earlier, and she’d studied it alongside him, memorizing the landscape and landmarks that would guide her to Brónach’s capital city.
She wouldn’t follow their lead blindly. Arianna knew how to find her own way.
Talon had taught her as much. By memorizing the landmarks, she’d be able to tell if they diverted from the correct path.
But even if they did, what would she do? What could she do?
Arianna examined her little sister again.
She could hear the echo of Ellie’s laughter in her mind, visualize the way a smile easily broke across her face at the smallest of things.
Tears choked her as she thought of the mischievous glint in her sister’s eyes whenever she did something their father didn’t approve of.
But Ellie didn’t do any of those things now. The female before her wasn’t the Ellie she remembered. This female was a shell. A ghost.
Talon had gotten Ellie out of bed that morning.
Between his and The Demon’s prompting, they’d convinced Ellie to walk down the stairs.
Her movements had been slow and jerky, as if she didn’t quite know her own body.
But her face. It was as if Ellie wasn’t even in her own head.
Her sister was lost, floating in the darkness, and no one knew how to reach her.
She’d settled on the sofa and Arianna had fed her a meager breakfast. Arianna wished she’d eat more, but they didn’t dare force it. Something was better than nothing.
Raevina had voiced leaving her behind, which had earned a hiss from Talon and a glare from The Demon. Raevina only rolled her eyes.
But Arianna wouldn’t leave her behind, either. She’d carry Ellie herself if it came down to it. Taking her sister made their journey slower, but not impossible.
Except slow meant more opportunities for Vairik to catch them.
The difficult truth of the matter was that even if someone stayed behind, Vairik’s Dark Fae would eventually swarm this place.
They’d even warned Tierney and her partner not to remain here much longer.
Talon had offered for them to join their troupe, but both had politely declined, stating they had family to visit first.
Which left the group with two options: Either someone carried Ellie the whole way, or they took a horse and cart, something the couple already had in a side building outside. They’d chosen the latter. Slow but effective.
Talon had followed the male outside to inspect the cart, then had promptly begun loading it with food and supplies. The couple likely would have given the clothes off their backs if they’d asked.
“Remember,” Saoirse said, speaking to Tierney. “Come to Nàdair and ask for me directly. You’ll be rewarded for your assistance.”
Tierney bowed. “It’s been our absolute honor.” Her gaze briefly flashed to Arianna, but the female’s stare turned longing when her eyes landed on Ellie. To Arianna’s surprise, Tierney’s eyes misted, but she blinked the emotion away quickly.
Talon and the male pushed the door open, strolling in mid-conversation.
“You’re sure it’ll be enough?”
“Enough for what we need. Thank you.” He clasped the male’s arm, and the male returned the gesture.
Talon turned to them, looking everyone over, then paused on Arianna. “Ready?”
She glanced at Ellie one final time then stood. She wasn’t, not really, but Ellie needed someone who could help her, and they’d only find that help in Nàdair.
Arianna stepped aside for Talon, who approached Ellie slowly before kneeling in front of her.
“May I carry you?” They waited, breaths held, but Ellie didn’t respond.
Talon reached for her carefully, scooping Ellie into his arms as if she were a small child.
Emotion swam through Arianna all over again at her sister’s helplessness.
Talon’s jaw worked, but he simply turned and carried her out the front door.
“Be safe,” Tierney called as Arianna started for the door.
Arianna gave her a small smile in return. “You too.” Then she exited into the ash-covered landscape.
It took her breath away. She’d viewed it from the upstairs window, but somehow seeing it without a sheet of glass made it far more real.
A gust of wind picked up, swirling the ash in a small tornado. Arianna covered her mouth, hating the burnt stench of it. It reminded her too much of death and despair. Her hope was already hanging by a thread.
The trees were lined with the gray substance, resembling snow blanketing the branches.
She remembered taller trees with snow on them.
A moment when she’d trudged through the icy fluff, but she hadn’t been upset then.
She’d been … exhilarated? Her gaze moved sidelong until she found green eyes staring at her.
His lips were slightly parted, cheeks flushed in a way that had heat rising to her own.
Arianna quickly turned away, doing her best to ignore the throbbing in her head that Zylah had relieved just moments before.
She was thankful for the short sleeve tunic Tierney had given her.
Her other clothes had been beyond repair.
It hugged her frame, showing off her feminine features.
Even her hair was mostly down, save for a loose braid tying the top portion away from her face.
Her pants were comfortable even if a little form-fitting.
The female had even supplied Arianna with a new pair of boots.
Arianna suspected the female had purchased them while they’d been out collecting information on Levea.
She ran her hands down her sides, feeling the dip of her waist. She’d spent so much time hiding her body from lecherous eyes that being dressed in anything decent still made her feel overly exposed.
Those horrendous days felt like both a lifetime ago and as if they’d happened just yesterday.
Talon placed Ellie at the rear of the open wagon, nestling her in layered furs. He stepped back, then reached for her again, adjusting her body position since she didn’t seem inclined to do it herself.
Once Talon jumped down, he held out a hand to help Arianna climb in. More furs sat beside Ellie’s, all positioned against the back wall. Only four other boxes rested inside. Provisions for their journey.
Two horses were strapped up, one pawing at the ground as if anxious to set off.
Zylah jumped up onto the edge of the cart, leaving her feet dangling.
Apparently, it had been universally agreed upon that she should rest during the first part of their journey.
The female didn’t appear as if she wanted to, but Arianna had seen the way her hands had been shaking earlier.
Even runes used the body’s energy reserves.
Gavin stood next to the wagon, Ellie’s ever-present shadow.
Arianna’s heart tugged in sympathy at the way the male stared at her little sister.
There was so much longing in those dark eyes.
He’d seemed so boyish when she’d first met him in Ruadhán’s halls.
He’d been uncomfortable, his cheeks tinted red after he’d witnessed …
witnessed … Arianna furrowed her brow, then a sharp pain lanced through her temple.
She grabbed the area, wincing. Zylah’s head snapped around, the female already bracing one hand to lift herself.
“I’m fine,” Arianna assured before Zylah could fully rise, but the words came out breathless. Gods, if she could just figure out what triggered the headaches, she could make them stop.
Her gaze returned to Gavin. He was the one who’d keep them hidden from Vairik’s spies. She hated that they needed his abilities, but also prayed his magic was strong enough.
Saoirse, to Arianna’s utmost surprise, sat at the front, taking the horses’ reins.
She looked better. More color had risen to her cheeks.
It hadn’t stopped Zylah from fussing over the female.
Arianna knew they’d all tried not to overhear the conversation between the pair.
An unfortunate impossibility. Still, it was nice to know the dynamic between the females was shifting, especially given everything they still had to face.
Talon and Raevina took up positions on either side of the wagon, both pointedly ignoring one another. Hopefully, they’d fix whatever was between them, too.
Gavin’s magic rose and expanded, blanketing everyone in a glamour that would blend them in with the landscape. Saoirse snapped the reins, the wagon lurched, and Arianna reached for her sister, bracing to ensure she didn’t fall over. And just like that, they were off.