Chapter Twenty-One #2
The Nàdair citizen smiled at them both, offering comfort and sympathy with a single look, then tugged them toward her open door. The blonde didn’t possess the strength to resist. She followed, and both disappeared behind a solid oak door.
Another stepped forward, taking a family with three younglings.
Still another enveloped a child walking alone.
Over and over again, Fae emerged from their houses to claim one family after another.
Arianna stared open-mouthed, her heart on the edge of breaking at the sight.
She didn’t know if the High Lord had commanded it or if the citizens simply did it out of their own rising compassion.
They weren’t prisoners at all.
Arianna thought back to the war. She’d once thought it senseless.
So many people had died. Then she’d learned the truth, or what the world thought had been the truth.
A bitter pill most didn’t realize yet was that everything had ultimately been Vairik’s doing.
Those in Levea had lost so much due to one male.
Their High Lady. A sane ruler. Now their home.
All because of something one individual had deemed an injustice.
Because he couldn’t accept one female’s choice.
Her gaze drifted toward The Demon again.
She noted the way he was walking with a limp now.
His gait was also heavy from exhaustion.
Somehow, away from the fighting, he looked worse with his blood-stained clothes, disheveled hair, and hollow eyes.
Eyes that wouldn’t stop glancing her way no matter how hard she tried to avoid meeting them.
Arianna clenched her fists. One male had done so much to tear the entire continent apart, and it was her job to put it all back together.
She couldn’t do that until Vairik was dead.
And even after his death, her people would still have to find a new home.
They’d need to eradicate the Dark Fae from the land.
They might even have to eventually go to war with Fiadh, if it still stood.
Arianna searched the crowd behind her, hoping to spot the future High Lady of said country. If they could get Raevina on the throne, then their countries would be allies, thus avoiding another war altogether. But that was only if they managed to eliminate Vairik and his followers.
Arianna turned forward again, watching the palace loom closer with every step.
Nàdair. This was where she’d establish her stronghold.
This was where she’d begin setting things right.
If Alec aided her cause, she’d rid the land of Vairik and his ilk forever.
Judging from the way Alec had been fussing over his mother, he wouldn’t be hard to win over.
He probably hated Vairik even more than she did.
But first she had to convince him that not everyone on his council was trustworthy.
Exhaustion crept through her, begging Arianna to rest, but the creature within was ready for another fight.
She had to face this now, before Ellie arrived and was subjected to anyone working for Vairik.
Arianna wouldn’t let that male near her sister ever again.
The people, or what was left of those who hadn’t been offered shelter, collected around the outside yard of the palace. They let their packs fall to the ground and slid ungracefully to their knees. Some laid back, breathing heavily, while others tended to their wounded companions.
Servants were already pouring from the palace doors, carrying blankets, bandages, and trays full of steaming food. It seemed Alec had commanded someone to prepare before he’d even left the palace walls.
Arianna studied the wounded. Part of her wanted nothing more than to drop everything and help, but another part of her knew securing the palace took precedence. She’d visit the infirmary afterward.
Arianna paused again upon noticing the humans.
She furrowed her brow. They’d never been allowed in Nàdair before.
Had the High Lord changed his mind after her order from Ruadhán?
One of them knelt before the injured and drew a rune, the symbol coming alive with a bluish sheen.
Her heart leapt. The rebels. Did that mean Sive was here, too?
Had all of Connall’s people made it? Did Alec already know about Vairik?
Arianna followed the guards inside. White assaulted her senses as she gazed upon massive marble pillars that stretched from floor to ceiling.
The walls, the floors, the ceiling, they were all white, with a slight tinge of gray blended into the marble, giving it a cloud-like appearance.
She watched as The Demon handed Kaylee off to a waiting servant. The poor youngling didn’t even stir.
Rion turned to Whelan next. “Watch over her.” The young male nodded and ran after the servant, his gaze never leaving Kaylee’s limp form.
Arianna’s attention snagged on the intricate carvings of vines in the marble.
She marveled at how accurate Niall’s vision had been all those weeks ago in one of Ruadhán’s gardens.
He’d gotten every detail right. Her gaze moved straight, wondering if she’d ever see Eimear sitting on the throne again.
Perhaps she’d even see—splitting pain sent her staggering.
Arianna simultaneously gripped her head and reached out to steady herself.
A strong hand caught her flailing arm, pulling her upright.
She yanked away from The Demon’s grip, stumbling again, but he caught her wrist this time.
That painful current pulsed down her arm.
“Let me go,” she demanded, her voice echoing throughout the hall. She hadn’t meant to shout, but her head—gods above, her head.
“I’ve got her.” Zylah. Arianna allowed the half-breed to guide her toward one of the massive pillars.
She slid to the floor, then Zylah began drawing runes over her back.
Arianna sighed in relief at the cold magic trickling down her spine.
Her vision cleared, and the pain dissipated, allowing her to absorb her surroundings once again.
The Demon stood just a few feet away, staring down, helpless. Anger pulsed through her and she clenched her jaw, turning toward the door on the other end of the hall. Just a few more feet and she’d be rid of him.
Arianna forced herself to stand. They continued straight and entered the next room. A sitting room of some kind. She ignored it and kept moving, anticipation building in her core.
The next set of heavy doors swung open, and they finally entered the throne room.
A large chair rested at the rear with three steps leading up to the platform.
An intricately decorated table sat off to the right side with seven chairs pushed neatly underneath.
A floral pattern had been carved into this one too, just like everything else in the palace.
Arianna couldn’t imagine the amount of hours that had taken.
She thought back to Levea for a moment. There’d been patterns carved throughout her home city as well.
Only years of peace could have allowed the time for such beauty.
She hoped to give the people of the next generation that same kind of time.
Maybe it was the way the Fae of old had coped with the shadows that had haunted them back then.
Arianna searched for Alec or Saoirse. Neither were present, though that didn’t come as much of a surprise.
She was certain the two were still settling Eimear into the infirmary.
Once Ellie arrived, Arianna would be at her sister’s side, ensuring all her needs were met.
She turned back toward the door, chewing her lip.
She prayed the Dark Fae hadn’t entered the mountains.
She hoped Gavin hadn’t been forced to fight and defend his mate.
Guilt gnawed through her now, but sending the two away had been their only option.
Protecting Ellie in the middle of a blood bath simply wasn’t plausible.
Servants filed in one at a time, each carrying something new.
Some had trays full of food, while others carried drinks.
She noted a few towels as well. Arianna cringed as she looked herself over.
She definitely needed a bath. But she needed safety first. She deserved that, as did everyone else who’d run to this city for protection.
“The High Lord will be here in a moment,” a male announced.
He stood straight, with his arms folded behind his back.
He was immaculately dressed, his hair slicked back.
One stray dark strand fought for freedom, hanging over the male’s forehead in defiance.
“He sent refreshments if you wish to partake while you wait.”
Arianna stared at the table, but remained where she was.
Everyone did the same. The male merely bowed his head slightly and stepped back toward the throne.
Arianna resisted the overwhelming urge to pace.
Her fingers played with the loose fabric of her pants, then found a tear in the bottom of her shirt.
She glanced over to find The Demon watching her yet again.
Why was he always looking at her? Why couldn’t she have a single moment—
The door to her left opened and Arianna turned, expecting to find the High Lord, but instead a male with dark skin and long locs strolled through, his eyes carefully scanning the crowd.
Arianna’s breath hitched as she took him in.
He appeared nearly the same as the last time she’d seen him.
Dressed for battle, weapons at his sides, though they carried a few more jewels here.
That dark gaze finally landed on her and paused. His lips parted, and the relief on his face was nearly palpable.