Chapter Twenty-Two #2
Even now, she noted how Garrett’s scent had changed. He’d previously carried the scent of Brónach. Now he smelled more like the wind-swept plains.
Several of those wearing the silver pins backed toward the doors, their hearts hammering so loud it nearly drowned out everything else.
Alec didn’t move, but she noted the sly smile, as if he were pleased by her brazen actions. Or her ruthlessness. Perhaps The Demon wasn’t the only vicious sibling. Their father certainly had his own reputation.
“Anyone else have a problem with her demands?” Alec inquired, his eyes sweeping across the room.
Four males bolted in one direction, and another eight ran in the other. Alec’s magic burst from the floor and grabbed their screaming forms, choking the life out of them before anyone could intervene.
The others present had frozen in place, their hands covering their mouths. Alec just shook his head. “My council. What a disappointment.”
“My Lord,” another said, his voice wavering. “I don’t understand—”
“We are on the brink of war,” Alec said.
“Levea has been destroyed, Ashling—or the false one—has exploded, Fiadh has made their alliance with Pádraigín public. And yet you all refuse a simple command.” He growled, the sound making Arianna bristle.
“As far as I’m concerned, those unwilling to suppress themselves have something to hide, and that makes them traitors. Put on the iron.”
The same one speaking reached for a band. “But, there should be a trial—”
“We’re beyond trials. Our queen,” Alec pointed to her, “has valuable information and from what I’ve gathered, we’ve been infiltrated far deeper than any of us could have ever imagined.
This is your last chance. If you’re not working for the High Lord of Pádraigín, then put on the damn iron and pledge yourself to your queen. ”
Silently, one by one, those standing on the outskirts of the table inched forward and took a bracelet, sliding the offensive metal onto their wrists.
Many visibly shuddered, others grimacing at having their magic stripped from their bodies.
Good, maybe they’d know how the slaves had felt every day of their lives.
Alec turned to Arianna. “Brónach, as a nation, pledges itself to your service. Whatever you have need of, ask and it shall be given.”
Arianna gazed out over the room. Her breath caught as she realized everyone, including Alec and her companions, had obeyed.
Saoirse remained close to Rion, her gaze nervously darting around the room.
Raevina stood beside Talon, appearing just as unhappy as ever.
And Talon, he’d locked his eyes with hers, as if to say, look, I haven’t betrayed you.
The realization speared her straight through the heart. Talon, in all of this, had told her nothing but the truth. He—he hadn’t been trying to deceive her. Gavin wasn’t responsible for messing with her mind. Which meant—her eyes traveled to The Demon. Which meant—
Alec’s deep voice broke through her spiraling thoughts. She swore she was going to vomit again. “Now, pledge yourselves by your Fae honor, and we can move on with learning everything we need to know to win this war.”
Alec offered her a slight bow, this one a bit lower than the first, but Arianna wasn’t here to force a High Lord to his knees. She needed these people to trust her, not hate her.
The first began approaching, but Arianna raised her hand. “Verbally is fine, I think we’ve all had enough of bowing for a lifetime.”
“As you wish.”
They pledged themselves one at a time, reciting the same words their ancestors had done in ages past. Even Raevina joined in, though the female dropped to one knee with her companions at her side. Arianna had seen the way Cahira’s eyes had glistened upon seeing Raevina alive and unharmed.
The last male was the same one that had caught The Dem—Rion’s attention. The room turned to face him slowly, not because of who he was, but because of the hesitation. His jaw worked as he glanced between his High Lord and Arianna.
“Liam,” Alec said, signaling that it was his turn, even though it was obvious.
The male lowered his head and shook it slightly. “I’m sorry, but I cannot pledge myself to an unknown queen.”
The room fell painfully silent. Arianna noted the way The Demon’s heart rate spiked and his slight step forward. Would he stop her if she tried to attack him? Would he stop his brother?
“And why not?” she asked, drawing everyone’s attention. She nodded toward the bracelet. “You were willing to put on the iron.” Which clearly meant he wasn’t working for Pádraigín.
“Because I have nothing to hide, but I took a vow to my High Lord and this land. I swore to protect him, this country, and our people. I swore to uphold all our laws and ensure justice was served. How then, with that vow, can I again pledge myself to a queen I know nothing about? How can I be certain I’ll be able to uphold both vows in the presence of the gods? ”
The room watched, pensive and silent. Judging from Liam’s uniform and the way Alec had addressed him, this male was clearly someone of importance.
He wasn’t defying her because he refused to follow her; he was denying her because he didn’t know anything about her.
Because Arianna needed to prove herself in the wake of the imminent threat.
“You said you’d pledged yourself to the people of Brónach and to your High Lord. Does that mean you will fight to defend them against any enemy?”
“With my last breath,” Liam said.
“Then keep your current vows, they are good enough for me.”
The entire room seemed to loose a collective breath.
Alec finally seated himself. Suddenly he looked ten years younger, as though years of stress had melted from his shoulders.
He waved one arm and someone ran to the doors.
Servants filed in, tidying up the place without command.
The bodies were dragged from the room, the blood cleaned up with white clothes that were quickly dyed crimson.
Food plates were replaced and drinks served anew.
“Now,” Alec said, inviting her to sit next to him. “Tell us everything you know.”
She did, and her companions joined in, detailing the lies and deceit.
The way Vairik had corrupted their entire land.
The actions of the previous Divine and what she’d done in her grief.
They told him about Connall and The Weavers and The Guardians, too.
The High Lord of Brónach listened intently, only asking questions when he sought clarity.
Everyone had slowly stopped eating to absorb the information.
Alec clasped his fingers, clearly running scenarios through his head. Arianna wondered if Sive would be able to help the male sort through fact from fiction.
After a moment of silence, Rion asked, “Why wasn’t our mother with you?”
Alec sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I had to come back.” He almost looked ashamed. “She wanted to stay. I left my guards with her, but,” he looked back up at Rion and Saoirse. “You both know how stubborn she can be.”
Arianna wondered what else Eimear might be able to tell them when she woke. The female carried her own story, though many parts of that story would likely remain locked in the High Lady’s heart for eternity. Just like with Ellie.
Arianna looked at Rion, really studying him.
They’d been right. Everything Talon and the others had told her was true, and she’d—she’d tried to kill him.
Her mate. But—why didn’t she remember him?
Was Vairik still in her head? Were the shadows summoning a headache even now due to the remnants of that vile male’s magic?
Arianna pressed two fingers to the side of her temple.
“Arianna?” Talon’s voice. She glanced up and noticed that many were staring. She winced, feeling the weight of the last few days washing through her.
“I think that’s enough,” Alec declared, rising. “You need rest. We can pick up tomorrow or the day after. I’ll have scouts posted on both sides of the mountain. If Vairik is preparing an army, we’ll know.”
“Hopefully,” Saoirse added.
Everyone stood slowly. A half-breed approached.
“We have your rooms prepared, if you’d like to follow me?
” Her smile was kind, genuine. And she looked …
happy. Arianna had previously thought the half-breeds nothing more than captives.
Had anger blinded her? But how could anyone be happy stuck in the same position they’d occupied while in chains? Unless she’d assumed that, too.
Sleep. She needed sleep. She’d evaluate everything tomorrow with a clearer head.
Arianna followed the female through the palace.
The halls were grand, and those same markings had been carved into every column and pillar.
They were so realistic that Arianna wondered if they were carvings at all.
Perhaps the Fae of old had actually grown vines and plants inside the halls, and over time, they’d imprinted themselves into the very stone.
She took in the large vases full of flowers, the paintings that lined the walls.
The extravagance. So similar to Ruadhán.
Arianna remembered having a conversation with someone about it.
She remembered—sharp pain lanced through her head.
She reached for the wall, her body tottering, but Zylah was there a second later, drawing the same runes across her back.
They helped, but their effect was waning, as if the pain was stronger somehow.
The half-breed guiding them twisted her hands together, clearly concerned. “Lord Alec ordered food and drinks brought to your room. He had them made only by those he trusts.”
“Are you one of those few?” Rion asked.
“I trust her,” Saoirse said from somewhere behind. Arianna’s head was still spinning.
Zylah spoke next, words that had the tension returning all over again. “Did she free you?”