Chapter Twenty-Three
Rion
Rion checked the sentinels stationed around Arianna’s room.
The first was Cahira, one of Raevina’s companions and someone who had guarded Arianna during his absence.
The rest came from her father’s personal guard, all males and females who were put in iron and made to swear fealty all over again.
A few also came from Alec’s personal forces, warriors Rion had worked with in the past, including Eoghan.
He studied the schedule of their rotations.
Alec had ensured that no one group could overpower another in the event of a betrayal.
It was as good as things could get, all obstacles considered.
He would have gladly stayed by Arianna’s door himself day and night if it weren’t for Saoirse pointing out that he looked dead on his feet.
Rion took a breath, met Eoghan’s gaze one final time, then headed for his old room. He knew the male was full of questions, but Rion didn’t have the energy to answer them. Someone else could fill the male in on why Arianna couldn’t stand to be in his presence.
Rion clenched his jaw. She’d spoken to him. Arianna had allowed him to fill her in on some things, at least. Maybe that meant there was finally hope. They’d talk again, of that much he was certain.
Rion pulled the key from his pocket and unlocked his room. He did a quick scan to ensure no one was hiding in the shadows, then he showered, put on clean clothes, and collapsed onto his mattress. Rion draped one arm over his head and stared up at the ceiling.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d laid in a bed alone.
The space beside him was cold. A void. He longed for that gentle heartbeat.
It was the lullaby that lulled him to sleep, a constant thrum that reminded him the person he treasured most in this world was alive and well and safe.
He ached for the gentle smell of lilies and the way it would engulf him whenever she rolled over.
The way her body would conform to his, scooting toward his warmth even in her sleep.
Rion clenched his jaw. Gods above, he missed her. Rion had once told her he could leave. He was certain then that he could have given her anything she wanted, but now? Now, he’d do anything to get her back. Anything, absolutely anything to remind her of the promises they’d made to one another.
Memories swam through him, all things he couldn’t mention without overwhelming her further.
Arianna had listened to him without malice.
She’d been genuinely curious even if she was still wary.
Maybe in the morning he would find her on a veranda and just …
talk. Show her he wasn’t a—Rion bit the inside of his cheek.
He was a monster, or had been one, even if he’d been manipulated into it.
Rion scoffed. He had to give Vairik props for his level of creative torture.
He’d truly made Rion’s worst nightmares come alive.
Rion rolled over, staring at the far wall across his room. Cold. Empty. Lifeless. Just like he felt now.
RION GLIMPSED her figure at the end of the hall, her loose hair shifting gently in the warm breeze as she stared out over the edge of the balcony.
Moonlight reflected off the strands, haloing the top portion with a bluish glow.
A white nightdress gently rustled around her ankles.
Her shoulders were relaxed and the very air around her radiated an air of calm.
Rion remained at the far end of the corridor, utterly still and hidden within the shadows. Gods, she was radiant. A light he might never touch again. Arianna stared up at the stars dotting the night sky, seeming to drink in the ethereal sight before her.
Rion’s heart ached with longing. He wanted nothing more than to ease closer.
Perhaps she’d allow a bit of conversation.
But … how long had it been since he’d seen her like this?
Just enjoying something without her guard up.
She looked so beautiful lost in her own thoughts.
Disturbing her felt like the greatest of sins.
Instead, Rion remained still, his magic in check as he drank in the sight before him.
Carefully, he leaned against the wall, letting his head rest against the cool marble.
Her back rose and fell with slow, even breaths.
What are you thinking? Perhaps she was lost in a pleasant memory from her childhood.
Something that had existed before the darkness of the world had done so much damage.
Rion’s hairs rose, his skin prickling as a familiar sensation cascaded over the space. His magic spun to life with barely a thought and he stood straight, eyes scanning the area for the disturbance.
He scented the air, eyed the shadows surrounding Arianna. Nothing. She wasn’t reacting either. Did she not scent his magic? His heart raced and Rion padded forward on silent feet. Maybe she’d lose her sense of peace, but better that than—
A male appeared behind her, green, tattered cape billowing with his sudden movement.
A milky white eye met Rion’s, then a horrible smile spread across the male’s ominous face.
Rion’s eyes widened, he stepped forward, arm outstretched, but Arianna didn’t even have time to turn before the knife was buried in her back.
Rion’s scream drowned out her own, his magic exploding as he raced for her. Vairik pulled the knife out, blood splattering across the marble. Then he dragged the sharpened edge across Arianna’s delicate neck.
Rion’s stomach dropped as crimson stained the lace across the top of her bodice.
It soaked through the fabric in seconds.
Vairik vanished and Rion hit his knees, catching Arianna before her head could slam against the stone.
Her mouth opened. Words didn’t follow. Rion held her, one hand over the gaping wound across her throat.
Gods no, please, no, no, no. He wasn’t sure if he was speaking out loud or not.
Arianna’s eyes were wide, body trembling.
A tear rolled down the side of her face.
“It’s okay,” he whispered, voice cracking.
“It’s okay, it’ll be all right.” Her body stilled, the light fading from her cerulean eyes. Agony tore through him.
Rion jolted upright in bed, chest heaving, one arm outstretched, with Arianna’s name on the edge of his tongue. He wasn’t sure if he’d actually screamed or if his throat was merely raw from emotion. He half expected Saoirse to burst through his door at any moment.
Rion dropped his head into one hand and forced his heart to slow. Then he was out of bed, pulling his boots on before he threw open the door and flew down the dark, silent halls.
She was safe. He knew she was safe. He could feel that much down their sliver of a bond, even if everything else had been erased.
Still, that didn’t stop him from nearly running up a flight of stairs and stopping just down the hall.
Eoghan was still there, standing at attention.
He met Rion’s gaze, staring at him wide-eyed.
Vairik wasn’t here.
Not yet, anyway.
Arianna’s steady heartbeat met him from the other room and Rion let the tension fall from his shoulders.
Alive. Arianna was alive and resting, but if he stayed here, she might not remain that way long.
Rion just shook his head and backed away, moving further down the hall, trying to shove away the images from his nightmare.
His eyes burned, his body, too. His heart raced just a little too fast and his breathing was erratic from the adrenaline and exhaustion.
Rion paused to lean his head against the wall once he’d rounded the corner.
He allowed his eyes to close, soaking in reality.
Maybe he’d lie right here and try to get a few more hours of sleep.
But gods, he missed her warmth. He longed for the way her fingers would comb through his hair, as if she could erase the nightmares that plagued him with a single touch.
If he ever got her back, he’d never run after a nightmare again.
He’d let her quell his fears, no matter how long it took.
With his heart far calmer, Rion pushed off from the wall and ambled down the vast halls of Nàdair’s palace, taking in all the ornately decorated finery.
He let his fingers trace the carved vines, a detail he’d memorized and added to his cabin in the forest. Part of him had never wanted to forget his home.
Perhaps that part had ached for both his mother and Saoirse’s company.
Rion glanced toward the billowing curtains.
The servants had left the windows slightly ajar to allow the cool night breeze through.
The scene felt … lonely somehow, as if those free flowing curtains longed for the tether that held them in place.
Rion wondered what color they’d been the night his life had changed forever.
The very day everything had been stolen from him. Literally.
Vairik.
Rion clenched his fists.
It had all been a lie. Right from the very beginning. Were it not for a male hell-bent on his own revenge, Rion would have lived a very different life. His mother wouldn’t have suffered. His family would still be whole … and so would Arianna’s.
Rion swallowed hard and stared at each painting in turn, relishing in the silence of the night. No one wandered the halls, save for those stationed to keep watch. Blissfully, they remained focused on their task and left him be.