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Rion sprinted through the forest like a male on his first hunt. Loud, sloppy, untrained. His mind whirled, raging a war within itself that he still wasn’t sure he could win.
He’d never given much thought to his name, but in that moment, he wished he’d been called something else. Anything else.
Rion.
The pain in her voice. The sorrow he’d caused. It’d almost made him turn around and fall to his knees right there and beg her forgiveness for the vile words that’d fallen from his lips.
But Talon was right. What kind of life could he expect her to live at his side? Even if they ran, how long would it take for someone to find them? For his enemies to catch up?
His gut twisted with the earth that swirled around his body. He’d never see her again. He hadn’t even had time to process it or properly say goodbye. They’d held one another through the night. She’d saved his life more than once. And gods, he’d broken her.
But maybe not completely.
She’d mourn for him, mourn for the time they’d spent in one another’s arms, but she’d spoken fondly of Talon before. Perhaps that male could put her back together. He could give her the life Rion couldn’t. He could protect her.
It didn’t make the pain in his chest lessen.
Arianna would take up her title as queen and they’d request his presence at formal meetings. He’d refuse, as his siblings would expect. Because he had a reputation.
Rion gritted his teeth. And that reputation was exactly what’d caused him to lose the only thing he’d ever cared about.
It was fitting, really. He deserved punishment for the sins he’d committed. He deserved to yearn for her, to hear about her for the rest of his life, and never be able to see her beautiful face.
Because The Demon Lord of Brónach should never have fallen for a Lady of Móirín.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Talon
Talon sat before a fire, watching Arianna’s sleeping form. Two of his warriors stood outside the cave, keeping careful watch over the landscape while the other six slept, preparing for the journey home. They were out of Brónach territory now, but slavers and hosts of other unfriendly companies still roamed the wilds. He’d take no chances where Arianna was concerned.
He wrung his hands together and glanced at her again. She’d crumbled to the dirt when The Demon left, folding in on herself, clutching her chest as if someone had ripped out her heart. She’d screamed and his blood still ran cold when he thought about that pain-filled shriek. All for that creature.
Rion had done his job well. So well in fact, that Talon had wanted to rip him to shreds for the indecent things he’d spoken. The Demon hadn’t let his mask slip once, but that racing heart had Talon wondering. Could such a creature care for another? Had he truly loved Arianna?
No. Talon clenched his hands together. He’d seen The Demon rip mothers away from their children, crush brothers, fathers, and sisters without a passing glance. He’d seen a male beg for his life, only to be silenced with a swift flick of The Demon’s wrist.
So why did his heart ache? What made him want to chase that creature down and formulate a new plan?
Arianna’s eyes fluttered open, and she sat up, glancing, for a brief moment, at the sleeping males surrounding her before meeting Talon’s gaze. Guilt crashed through him like a tidal wave. He’d done this. He was the cause of her tear-streaked face, the bags beneath her eyes. Talon had never seen his childhood friend so…broken.
“Are you hungry?” He kept his voice low, hoping the others wouldn’t wake. She just shook her head and stared at the fire. After a moment, Arianna rose and padded toward the cavern’s entrance. Talon followed.
He didn’t know what to say or do. She longed for a creature as vile as they came, and he’d been the one to send said creature away. He should be relieved. He’d imagined finding her a hundred times. The two would smile, embrace, and race home to tell Ellie the good news. Things would return to normal, and he’d ask her out to dinner. Maybe they’d take a stroll through the streets or swim beneath the giant falls.
Móirín would celebrate with a party as grand as the solstices, and her father would make a speech about his daughter’s triumphant return. He’d imagined her in a dress to match her eyes, the fabric flowing with the waters that surrounded the capital city. And she’d be happy, smiling for all to see.
But reality was a cruel thing. This wasn’t happiness, this was sorrow and unending pain. Part of him felt as though he’d taken her prisoner, clasping shackles around her heart instead of her wrists.
Gods, had he done the right thing?
But what other choice did he have? Avalon believed The Demon killed his mate. He’d never forgive. Would such knowledge help Arianna recover or send her spiraling into a deeper depression? And what if she never snapped out of it?
Arianna drew the blanket tighter around her shoulders. No, he tried to convince himself. She would heal. Ellie would know what to do when they arrived in Levea. It wasn’t as if Arianna and The Demon were mates.
He gritted his teeth, a new reality sinking in. The Demon wasn’t her mate, and neither was he. Her mate would be the king of Alastríona. The strongest Fae to walk the continent. Once she found him, that bond would snap into place, and she’d forget all about The Demon. And their kiss.
A fresh tear rolled down her face and Talon’s heart clenched. “We’re stopping at the summer house tomorrow.” She didn’t look at him. “I’ll send a runner ahead to inform your father, but we’ll keep your return quiet until you’re ready.” If the city got wind of it too soon, every Fae in the capital would gather to welcome her home. She already looked ready to crumble, he didn’t think a celebration would help.
