Chapter Thirty-Eight
Arianna
Arianna stood at the crystalline pool’s center, staring at the water trickling down from a small set of rocks that separated it from the lake behind. It barely disturbed the surface, as if caressing the pool with a lover’s touch.
It made her think of Rion.
But Rion was miles away, making the final preparations for a war they couldn’t win. Part of her father’s royal guard had accompanied her here, along with a guide from Nàdair to ensure they made it in time. In time for what, she still didn’t know.
A conversation with Eimear hadn’t helped in the slightest. They had one chance of winning. One slim chance, yet it was hanging by a thread. And everything relied on her. She just wished she knew what to do.
Arianna’s eyes burned from crying. She’d done it all night. She’d tried to bid farewell to her sister, but Ellie had reverted back to her comatose state. Sive claimed she was awake, but her sister just … refused to move. It was like she was trapped in her mind all over again.
Arianna had hugged Talon. The two had stared at one another, both knowing in their hearts that it would be for the last time. Her father had clutched her tightly, making her promise to be careful despite the dangers he was about to face himself.
And Rion. She hadn’t seen Rion at all. She’d looked for him, but they’d run out of time.
Another tear rolled down her cheek. If Raevina hadn’t interrupted them, would Arianna have recovered her memories? Maybe she would still be standing here, still crying, but at least she’d have all the missing pieces of herself.
Maybe in the end it didn’t really matter.
A branch cracked and Arianna spun. Her magic burst out, lifting the water in several tendrils that hovered in the air, ready to strike out like vipers. They knew coming here was a risk, but—
Arianna met a pair of emerald eyes. A sob escaped her throat. Rion let his heavy pack slide from his shoulder and hit the ground.
“You’re not supposed to be here.”
“There’s time.” There wasn’t, but she wasn’t about to argue.
Rion approached, heart beating fast as he stepped into the water until it covered his entire lower body. She didn’t realize how much she’d been craving his presence until he was standing mere inches away. It was too far, but she didn’t know how to close the distance.
Vairik had stolen everything. Absolutely everything. And the male was about to take even more.
“I didn’t get to say goodbye.”
Arianna’s throat tightened all over again. Her lips trembled. “There’s really no hope, is there?”
“Not much I’m afraid.” In just a few hours, he’d fight on the battlefield. In just a few hours, he’d be nothing more than a corpse. They all would be.
Arianna folded her arms across her middle, as if she could hold in the heartache threatening to swallow her whole.
“This could be the last time I see you,” he started. “I want—I wish we had time. I wish I had the next century to court you, if you allowed it. I wish—I just wish we had time.”
“I’d let you,” she admitted, swiping at her eyes before glancing up. “Court me. Sounds a lot nicer than our current situation.”
He smiled slightly. “Book shops and tea houses?”
She laughed but choked on it. “Seems you already know me.”
“Not enough. Not nearly enough.” He stepped closer and with dripping fingers, brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
That same electrical pulse buzzed beneath her skin.
“Would you allow me to kiss you?” Her breath hitched.
“I know it’s selfish, but,” he offered her a shy smile.
“I’ve always been a bit selfish where you were concerned. ”
Arianna didn’t answer. Her throat had closed up entirely. He leaned in, searching her eyes, waiting. “You’re in control,” he whispered. “You can tell me no.”
Arianna tentatively pressed her hand against his chest, right over his racing heart. The images didn’t matter anymore. This male loved her. He’d proven it time and time again. Not only was he willing to burn the world for her, but Rion would set himself on fire in an effort to save it.
For her.
It was all for her.
His head lowered, eyes half lidded. One hand glided to the back of her head while the other cupped her cheek. Then Rion kissed her. Deeply. Desperately. Her stomach fluttered, and she felt lighter than air, whisked away by some fairytale she’d forgotten ages ago.
His electrifying touch reminded Arianna of the joy she experienced when she leapt from Levea’s waterfalls.
The brush of his lips on hers conjured moments spent in cozy blankets beside a warm fire while snow drifted from a gray sky.
The way his hands tightened, pulling her impossibly closer felt so much like home.
It was sunsets and rainbows and cool summer rain. It was secrets and promises and tokens of affection.
It was everything.
Everything she’d ever dreamed of.
He let their lips part and Rion pulled her into a tight embrace, his body trembling. “Just for a moment,” he promised, voice cracking on the words. Her heart cracked with them, then she wrapped her arms around his back and held him close.
They stood in the still water, listening to the soft trickle of the falls. His shoulders shuddered and he squeezed her tighter. She wondered if he hoped to repair their bond through touch alone. She wished he could. She just wanted one memory. One thing that was real.
Rion pulled back slowly, his hands lingering on her shoulders. A single tear rolled down his face, and she caught it, rubbing her thumb back and forth across his jaw. He leaned into the touch, then kissed the inside of her wrist before stepping back.
Her soul begged her to heal him. But she couldn’t mend a broken heart. And that’s exactly what Rion of Brónach had. A broken heart, shattered from years upon years of torment.
She’d mended it once, but that had been another lifetime entirely.
He was nearly out of the water before he turned slightly. “Thank you.” The words hit harder than his previous ones. Harder than if he’d actually said goodbye.
Her mate. This male was her mate, and he was walking away, taking her world with him. Her own emotions swam and Arianna reached out with a tendril of water, gently wrapping it around his wrist. He paused.
“You said something back in the room,” she started. He turned to stare at her. His eyes hollow. Defeated. “You said you were mine. Heart, body, and soul. What did that mean?”
“Exactly what it sounded like.”
“It’s more than that.”
His chest rose and fell. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Her brow furrowed. “Tell me. Please.”
Rion turned away, staring at the ground.
He opened his mouth. Closed it again. Then he took a shaky breath and said, “On the mountain, you told me to get on my knees. I obliged because I’d already knelt for you before.
” He smiled slightly. “Though you were on your knees, too. A priestess laid a white cloth over our hands, binding us together. I was glad you were the first to say the words; I was shaking too much to even remember them.”
Arianna’s lips parted, her heart pounding as he continued.
“The priestess sang the sacred rites while you spoke, promising yourself to me for eternity. Then it was my turn and every word that fell from my mouth did so with utmost sincerity. I’ve never believed in promises as much as I did in that moment. And I meant every single word.”
Arianna might have staggered back if she wasn’t in the water.
“We had rings, but agreed to hide them away until things were sorted out with Pádraigín. The political impact of a union with you is expected to be … extreme.” He swallowed hard.
“Our bond almost solidified that night. It was so close. We could feel that final strand of connection. It teetered on the very edge.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He looked at her again, eyes swimming with anguish. “You were overwhelmed enough just knowing we were mates. I didn’t want to add unnecessary stress. Especially when no one knows.”
“And now?”
“Now this might be the final night I get to gaze upon my wife’s beautiful face. When we die, I doubt I’m joining you in a pleasant afterlife.”
“You believe your soul is damned.”
“No belief needed. I know it’s damned.” He offered a wry smile. “I just wanted to tell my mate that I love her and I’ll love her even when I’m burning in hell.”
Arianna just gaped at him. More tears spilled down her cheeks. Rion bent to pick up his pack. He heaved it over his shoulder, gave her one final look, then disappeared through the trees.