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Her lips parted. That was it. That was all it took for the speck of trust she’d gained to be wiped from the map. He’d come for her. He’d protected her, and she’d betrayed him by protecting one of the enemy.
Rion disappeared into the shadows of the trees, and she sank to the ground.
Silence echoed and her stomach churned at the stench of blood across the field.
She’d killed. For the first time in her life, Arianna had crossed that line, but how was she supposed to feel? She should regret her actions. Repent for them, but if she hadn’t fought, then Rion might have died.
But those warriors had all believed they were eliminating a threat. They viewed Rion as a monst—her stomach heaved, and Arianna vomited. She gasped for breath against the pain in her abdomen. Gentle hands pulled her hair back and her stomach clenched again and again until there was nothing left.
Eoghan knelt at her side, keeping her hair away from her face and kept silent, waiting for her to finish. “He—he listened to you.”
She took a steadying breath, trying to focus on a shriveled piece of grass. “I’m as surprised as you are.”
Eoghan leaned down to examine her side. “Let me look at that wound.”
Arianna shook her head. “Your arm is worse.” She chewed her lip, debating. He already suspected something so why not give him a reason to believe? Arianna forced herself to look at the bodies left in the aftermath. Could she have prevented this? Maybe sheshouldstop hiding. “Let me see it.”
Eoghan waved his uninjured hand. “Don’t trouble yourself, I can tend to it later.”
Arianna sighed and before he could protest, she laid one hand on top of his forearm and the other on the bottom. “Keep this to yourself.”
Eoghan opened his mouth but snapped it shut again when her hands began to glow. Arianna could feel the muscles within shift, reconnecting like a braided rope before the skin followed. She didn’t have much energy left, but she had enough for this.
He collapsed beside her, mouth gaping, staring at the closed wound with a look of utter disbelief. “Your—”
“Please, don’t say anything.”
He continued staring then composed himself and bowed his head. “Do you know who you are?”
Arianna chewed her lip. “I do, but…I’m not certain what I want to do with it yet.”
She wasn’t sure how old Eoghan was or what Brónach taught their people, but she could at least assume he was older than Rion. And judging from his expression, he probably knew more about The Divine than she did.
Eoghan’s awestruck eyes watched her as if she were a fabled creature. “All right, whatever you ask of me.” His gaze shifted to the bodies then back to her. “I can still take you home. If you like. It’d be an honor.”
Arianna shook her head. “I can’t leave him like this.”
“The Demon?”
“Rion,” she corrected. He gave her an exasperated look. “He won’t hurt me.”
Eoghan opened his mouth to protest and closed it again, struggling against some internal battle. “I swear to serve you, thus I’ll only ask that you be careful, Lady Arianna.”
Chapter Nineteen
Arianna
Arianna limped toward the cabin, clutching her side. Eoghan had fussed extensively over her wound, but she assured him she’d care for it once she made amends with Rion. He wasn’t convinced and as she walked, feeling the wound pull and blood roll down her skin, Arianna questioned her own judgment.
She wondered if everyone would be so willing to listen to her once she proclaimed herself their queen. Would they grovel at her feet and agree to every word she uttered? She hoped not. Divine or not, one person couldn’t run an entire continent. She needed advisers willing to challenge her, demand explanations. The last thing she wanted was a group of mindless slaves.
Arianna hobbled past tent after tent in silence, Eoghan at her side, and cringed when every Fae who saw them ducked their heads and backed away. They knew who she was, and they remembered Rion’s wrath. Arianna imagined they were still reeling from Rion’s return. He’d been brimming with anger. She only hoped that anger hadn’t led to unnecessary death.
When Arianna could see the cabin, she paused and glanced at Eoghan. He inclined his head and took a step back. She supposed seeing her off was better than following her to the door. She didn’t imagine Rion’s reaction would prove pleasant if he did.
Arianna let out a long breath and stepped forward. The sight of her blood had infuriated him, and she’d practically slapped him in the face by defending one of her captors. She tried to imagine their roles reversed. Would she be as furious if he’d done the same? Confused, certainly, but then again, she hadn’t lived through a lifetime of betrayal and deceit.
She clutched her side harder when she reached the little stone walkway and paused at the door. Arianna knew he’d likely already scented her approach and the fear that accompanied it, but she turned the handle anyway and walked inside.
