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Arianna turned and headed back for her bedroll without a word. She curled in on herself with her back to the fire and that pain returned to his chest tenfold. One of his warriors rose and joined him, eyeing Arianna’s sleeping form with a sad gaze. “You should get some sleep.”
Talon looked up at the stars. “I should.” But he knew he wouldn’t.
TALON HELD the reins of her horse, guiding it down a familiar trail. The trees in Móirín were thicker, but without their leaves, they looked as bare as those from Brónach. He cast her a glance, wondering if the familiar scent of this place would perk her up. She’d not spoken since The Demon’s departure.
Talon nodded at three of his warriors, urging them ahead to announce their arrival. He didn’t want anyone crowding Arianna, not until she crawled out of the dismal place she’d locked herself up in.
The trees thinned, and they passed beneath an archway of branches that opened into a clearing. The house itself sat at the end of a long road lined with pear trees on either side. Talon remembered himself, Ellie, and Arianna gorging themselves on the fruit in late summer, their bellies so full there was no room for supper.
Water trickled down a stream that cut through the center of the yard, emptying at the lake in the back. Flowers grew along the waterway, the gardens well-kept and beautiful in spring. But right now, nothing bloomed, leaving the creek bare. How many times had they played in that stream, shoving one another into the water and running when their caretakers came to reprimand?
Talon peered back at Arianna and his heart skipped a beat. She was observing, taking in the landscape and the familiar scents before locking onto the lake. Her lips parted and for the first time, recognition sparked in those beautiful cerulean eyes.
It’d been so long since she’d seen any trace of home. He knew she’d suffer with emotional scars, but perhaps the familiar waters could help chase away some of that darkness. Maybe he’d talk to Avalon about allowing her to stay here for a time, away from the busy streets and crowds of people.
He wouldn’t be the one to tell her father about her abilities. She’d do that when she was ready. Because once she revealed herself, they’d escort her to the royal city and crown her queen of their four countries. The texts claimed her mate would come from Pádraigín. A land full of wind and illusion magic. Talon wondered if he’d get to accompany her. He wanted to. He wanted to be by her side forever.
Talon stopped beside the house, handed the reins to one of his warriors, and reached up to help Arianna dismount. She braced her hands on his forearms and landed on the soft earth without a sound. Her eyes still hadn’t left the lake.
The double side doors were open, waiting for them to enter, but Arianna didn’t walk inside. Instead, she headed around the back, and he followed. They had so many memories in this place. His mother bringing out sandwiches when they were hungry. Her mother splashing them in the shallows. Their fathers laughing, free from the stresses brought on by politics.
But one summer, his father left on a mission, never returning to his only son. Then her mother followed shortly after. That season had been a haunted one, the three holding one another beside the water’s edge. And his mother had cried with them despite trying to keep everything together. Avalon stopped visiting the cabin and Talon began his training. And their childhood memories faded.
Arianna held her arms close to her body and stared out at the beach. The wind caught a tendril of her hair, pulling it from the loose bun and gods—what was he supposed to do? Arianna was the light in the darkness. What did one do when the light faded?
He stood at her side but kept a comfortable distance. “Everyone told me you were dead.” Arianna tilted her head. “Some gave up after a week, claiming you were too frail to defend yourself. It took others months to arrive at the same conclusion. And when half a year had gone by even your father told me we should have a proper funeral to honor your passing.”
Talon clenched his jaw. “But how could I? I knew,” he whispered. “I don’t know how, but I knew you were alive.” His body trembled and Talon clenched his jaw in an effort to steady himself. “I know you need time. I know you’ve been through unimaginable pain, but when you’re ready, I want you to know I’m here. Even if you don’t want to talk, just know I’m here.”
The silence stretched for an impossibly long time, then Arianna took a step toward him. Then another and before Talon knew it, she was leaning her head against his shoulder. She didn’t speak, but words didn’t matter. Talon leaned his head against hers and wrapped one arm around her shoulders. They stood there, gazing out over the lake, reliving memories from a more peaceful time.
And Talon swore he’d never leave her side again.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Rion
Familiar and foreign. A land that haunted him with hostile memories yet carried those most precious. A place he strove to avoid and a home he yearned for.
Rion strolled through the dense forest, trees still barren from winter. Sprites played between his feet, weaving in and out, catching the particles of dirt floating around his body. He didn’t dare let his guard down here. Not when he knew warriors from Brónach hid in the treetops.
Rion kept moving, walking along the path he’d played on as a child. Memories of his mother and sister surfaced with every passing step, and he resisted the urge to grab at the gaping hole in his chest. He’d been happy once, just like any other kid. But that happiness had vanished like smoke on the wind, and he’d created his own future.
The trees grew larger and larger until he stood before the wall that surrounded Brónach’s capital city, Nàdair. The giant redwood trees hadn’t changed, standing over three hundred feet tall and twenty feet wide. They circled the entire city. They were guardians grown by their ancestors to protect its citizens. The trunks were so close, not even an insect could have hoped to crawl between their bark.
He let out a long breath and stalked toward the entrance where one tree was missing to allow Nàdair’s citizens passage to and from. Four sentinels stood at attention, likely scenting him before he’d even stepped on the path. He briefly wondered if they’d try to stop him from entering the city, but though they gripped their weapons, none drew on him.
Rion strode past several guards inside, all watching him with a careful eye. He knew they’d already sent someone to inform his siblings. What an encounter that would be.
The sun settled behind the redwoods before the first house entered his view. Those from Nàdair lived as one with the forest, weaving the trees hollow to form their houses within. Some residences kept their homes crisply maintained, while others let the trees and plants run wild with natural beauty.
They’d built platforms into the canopy several feet above him, with bridges, ladders, and multiple levels. Citizens stood up there now, watching him as he passed by. He scented their hatred. Their fear.
How long had it been since he’d set foot here? Six years? Seven? He’d escaped their eyes for so long, but now he was The Demon again. A monster created by the vilest god imaginable. He’d earn no sympathy here. Not that he deserved any. How many of their family and friends had he slaughtered over the years? How many innocent lives, like Arianna’s, had he destroyed without a passing thought?
The palace loomed in the distance, casting its long shadow onto the city below. Rion wasn’t sure who he dreaded seeing more. Saoirse, with her sympathy or Alec, who seemed to carry the hatred of their entire country on his shoulders. Even when Rion had been a teen, Alec hadn’t challenged him, though Rion wondered if Saoirse had a say in that matter. Alec had a hundred years on him and as a son to the two strongest Fae in Nàdair’s history, he wasn’t one to be trifled with.
Rion tried to ignore the hushed whispers as he wandered down the main street. He had no intention of hiding. He’d march straight through the front doors like he owned the place. Because he partially did. He was a lord after all, even if he never hoped to rule. A slight smile crossed his face at the thought. The entire country of Brónach would likely try to assassinate him.
