Chapter Twenty-Five
Rion
Eimear had excused herself, claiming she was hungry shortly after their conversation. Alec had promptly offered to escort her, which left Rion and Saoirse to return to the study between their rooms and blow the dust off an old chess set.
He’d won, of course, and they’d stayed up long into the night discussing the atrocities and delightful memories from their past. He’d panicked the moment Saoirse had mentioned her friend’s death all those years ago.
It was exactly what had caused him to run to the mountains in the first place.
But Saoirse, being Saoirse, had forgiven him.
He’d told her he didn’t deserve it. She’d stated she didn’t care and claimed they might not live another month, and it wasn’t worth him going to the grave with that regret.
Rion ventured a guess that he’d go to the grave with a lot of regrets and burn in the deepest part of hell where he belonged.
Both had nodded off for a time, sitting in comfortable silence before Saoirse eventually wandered back to her room to prepare for the day. He’d done the same, refusing to return to a cold bed without the body next to him who could chase away all his nightmares.
After dressing and scrubbing his face in a vain attempt to wash away the exhaustion, Rion ventured to Arianna’s room, only to be informed that Cahira had escorted her to the throne room.
Rion wasted no time. He needed to see her, hear her voice and heartbeat, and just know she was alive and well.
He could smell breakfast from down the hall.
Rion slowed and paused on the threshold when he saw Arianna with a plate of food in her hand.
She reached for something across the table and his breath hitched at the smile on her face.
She was reacting to something Saoirse had said.
His sister was reclined back, drink in hand. He swore she had an iron stomach.
Rion scanned the rest of the room, taking in the council members, guards, and Liam.
He tried not to linger on the last one. Arianna sat back, redrawing his attention.
Loose hair framed her face, and she pushed it back, that glorious smile warming his heart.
She’d showered. She was clean, and well, and eating.
He feared yesterday’s revelations might have sent her spiraling, but she appeared …
better today. It was far more than he could ask for.
Rion stepped inside, and her head jerked toward him, as if some part of her was so aware of his presence that she couldn’t help but be drawn to him.
Their eyes met, but instead of the cold scowl she’d been giving him for days, Arianna appeared …
curious? He froze, watching her eyes trace his body, starting at his face, then working their way down.
Was she searching for weapons? His magic?
Something else? Part of his mind lingered just outside the door to their bond, desperately wanting to reach for that single strand, just to see how she’d react.
He didn’t dare.
Her gaze rose to meet his again, oceans swirling in those gorgeous cerulean eyes.
His heart jolted. Would she ask him to sit next to her?
Just the idea of being close—she turned back to Talon, smiling at a conversation Rion hadn’t been listening to in the slightest. His heart sank.
It would have hurt far less if Talon had slammed a fist into the side of his face.
Rion stepped through, making his way over to Saoirse just as Avalon strolled through the side door. The male definitely hadn’t slept, though Rion was willing to bet most of them hadn’t.
Arianna immediately stood, but her father waved a hand before sitting next to his daughter. He threw various foods on an empty plate. It seemed strange, somehow, to see a High Lord casually sitting with the rest of them.
Rion grabbed a few things for himself, his mouth watering at the smell. He glanced at his mother, wondering if her threat meant he wouldn’t have to constantly be worried for his own safety anymore. Well, once the war was over, of course.
“How is she?” Arianna asked, her food forgotten. Rion studied her, surprised she hadn’t been to visit Ellie herself yet. Maybe that just meant she’d slept in a bit.
Avalon adjusted his sleeves. “The half-breed—”
“Zylah,” Saoirse corrected.
“Right, my apologies.” He cleared his throat, his eyes haggard. “Zylah has kept her sedated. We tried waking her once, but—” Avalon shook his head. “It was just more of the same.”
Arianna chewed her lip. It stole every ounce of Rion’s attention. “I can try being there next time, see if it makes a difference,” she offered. He would too, though he felt voicing it probably wasn’t appropriate. He’d do whatever it took to drag Ellie out of the hell inside her own mind.
Avalon nodded, relenting in a way that seemed so out of sorts for his character. Rion had glimpsed the relief on his face when the male had found Arianna on the battlefield. He loved his daughters fiercely and had already felt the sting of loss once.
“Later,” Eimear said, sitting a little straighter.
She waved to the servants. “Leave us and close the doors. We’ll come for you when you’re needed.
” The servants bowed low before exiting.
Rion watched them leave, then turned to his mother curiously, his heart soaring at the determination in her expression.
She’d come so far since escaping from Niall.
Eimear folded her hands. “It’s time to address how we go about winning this war.”
“The floor is yours,” Alec said.
“We need to venture into the catacombs. There’s a library with a wealth of knowledge that may help us understand what we’re up against.”
“A library?” Liam questioned. “I’m sorry, my Lady, I’m not sure we have that kind of time. Vairik is likely already on his way—”
“He is,” Eimear confirmed. Rion’s heart jolted with the knowledge. “But even he has things to prepare. Which means we can do the same.” She eyed everyone in the room in turn. “If we don’t do this, we lose.”
Silence blanketed the space. “Are you able to see what’s so important?” Alec asked.
Eimear shook her head. “I only see two threads. One is us entering and one is us choosing not to.”
“That settles it then,” Rion said. He hated the way Arianna jolted at the sound of his voice.
“I assume it’s not as simple as walking through the doors?” Saoirse asked.
“Of course not. There will likely be traps. Vairik wasn’t able to penetrate the walls, which tells me the magic there is strong. We’ll need a team dedicated to protecting Arianna and Rion while another team scouts the area.” Eimear met Avalon’s gaze next. “And we’ll need young Evelyn.”
Avalon scrunched his brows. “Why?”
Eimear paused, as if searching her own mind, or perhaps their future. “It’s … difficult to say, but she’s the closest thing we have to Vairik. She was his captive. I’m sure she overheard things that may prove useful.”
“We’ve already tried waking her,” Avalon said. “She’s not well.”
“Neither was I. Sive will be able to help her.” Eimear turned to Arianna. “She’ll be able to help you as well.” His mother’s gaze flicked to him and Rion’s heart jolted. Had she seen the runes Sive had carved upon his skin? Had she seen him lose control?
“Won’t waking Evelyn waste time?” Alec asked.
“A team will need to venture into the catacombs to ensure it’s safe first anyway. I’m unable to see past the wards our ancestors put in place. That will give us time to address her condition.”
The door behind them opened and Rion turned to find Sive strolling through, her head held high, golden locks braided back, weapons at her hips, and most notably, no swell to her stomach. Fear flew through him, even as he recalled his mother’s words about the youngling—child—being perfectly healthy.
Arianna stood first. “The baby.”
A smile spread across Sive’s ethereal face. “Finally asleep. I apologize for my delay. The child didn’t wish for me to leave.”
“She’s okay now?” Arianna inquired. “If you need—”
Sive waved one hand. “She’s currently fast asleep in her father’s arms.” Sive turned to Alec. “We appreciate the considerable accommodations. And the staff. The sleep has certainly been appreciated.”
Alec inclined his head. “You’ve done far more for us than we could ever repay.” His brother’s gaze moved to Eimear, and Rion thought he saw a glimmer of emotion there.
Rion turned back to Sive. “How did you escape Vairik? How did you get out of the mountain?”
“It’s a story for another time. I’m told I can be of assistance?”
“Can you really help my daughter?” Avalon asked.
Sive gave him a gentle smile. “I can, as I helped Lady Eimear and so many others.”
“Do you know what’s in the catacombs?” Rion ventured to ask.
Sive finished crossing the room and paused beside the table. “Weapons we’ll need in order to put an end to this war.”
“What kind of weapons?” Alec pressed.
“The kind that will change the course of our future and call upon allies we haven’t worked alongside in a very, very long time.”
“The Guardians?” Arianna questioned.
“Among others.”
“I don’t understand,” Alec said. “What allies?”
Sive smiled again. “Do you really believe we’ve lived on this continent for thousands of years and never had any contact with intelligent beings beyond ourselves and the humans?”
“I—” Rion couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen his brother at a loss for words.
“Get a team ready,” Eimear said, looking straight at Liam. “Take your best warriors and proceed with caution.” She turned to Arianna next. “It’s time to wake your sister.”