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Arianna shifted positions and let Rion rest in her lap. He fell asleep quickly, one hand holding onto hers. She caught Talon staring at them and the reality of her situation hit her.
Talon was here. Which meant she’d be going home. She’d been discussing it with Rion on the mountain, but how was she going to convince Talon or the other Fae in Móirín that Rion wasn’t a threat? It wasn’t as if she could march him through the city gates and expect her people to just accept him.
Arianna chewed her lip. She was The Divine. If she took up that role, things would change. She’d stop the war, but would declaring herself queen prevent her from being with the one she loved? Would the Fae of Alastríona accept him on her word alone?
She could always approach her father first. It’d take some explaining, but with Talon there, she might be able to set up a meeting, have the two talk—no, her father would demand his execution. Then maybe—a soft touch startled her, and Talon half drew his weapon when her adrenaline spiked.
She gave both males a half-hearted smile. “Sorry.”
Rion tilted his head toward Talon and his half-drawn blade. Arianna eyed them both, ready to intervene again, but Talon sheathed his weapon.
“What’s wrong?” Rion asked.
She gazed into those emerald eyes, watching the firelight dance in them, illuminating the flecks of gold within the iris.
“Just thinking.”
“Worrying more like,” Talon retorted. Rion shot him a glance, but there was no malice in it. “She’s always been like that. One to worry about the world’s problems while trying to solve them on her own.”
Rion stroked her arm with a featherlight touch and Arianna didn’t miss the murderous gleam in Talon’s gaze.
“You two know one another,” she accused. Talon glanced away and Rion turned his head when she looked to him for answers. “Tell me.”
Talon kept his gaze averted. “It’s not hard to guess.”
Her lips parted. “You’ve fought?”
Talon smirked. “I damn near killed him once.”
“You didn’t escape unscathed.”
“No, but I didn’t have a healer.” Talon’s gaze drifted to Arianna then and he lowered his head. She’d been hoping to delay that conversation. “How long have you known?”
She swallowed. “Since I was fourteen.”
“Did you tell Ellie?” Arianna shook her head. Talon looked dumbfounded. “All those times your father berated you, put your name in the dirt and you just took it.” He leaned forward. “You’re the queen of our people, Arianna.”
“I—”
“You have a responsibility to fulfill.”
Rion barely held in his growl. “She’s obligated to no one.”
“You have no right to intervene, she’s not—”
“Calm down,” Rion hissed. “You’ll only upset her further.” Talon, who looked ready to murder, turned a concerned eye toward her. Arianna kept her mouth closed and refused to meet his gaze.
“You could stop the war,” Talon said, his voice softer.
She still couldn’t look at him. “I know.” It’s what she’d been telling herself all along. She was supposed to be their queen, but what did she know about leadership? And if she took up that title, Rion might not have a place in her life at all.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Talon
Talon stood at the den’s entrance blowing warm air into his hands as he stared up at the midnight sky. Stars sparkled in its vast expanse and though it looked like home, this barbaric land was far from it. He longed for the way the mists curled from the bottom of the falls. The gentle breeze that shifted through the rocks, seemingly carrying magic of its own. He blew out a long sigh.
The Divine.
