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Her entire body shuttered upon seeing the familiar shelves lining the walls filled with endless books, half of which she’d never read. Her bedside lamp, carved in the likeness of a willow tree, still sat upon the side table. And her last read lay beside it, though she had no memory of the story within its pages.
Her room. Arianna ran her fingers over the soft comforter and cool sheets beneath. She took in the lavender scent on the linens and settled into the familiar pillows. How many times had she imagined herself here?
Talon’s voice broke her trance. “Your father commanded me to go after him.” Arianna clenched her jaw. Talon would obey. He had to, and she’d suffer the pain of ultimately losing one of them. Talon’s voice lowered. “I won’t if you ask me.”
She blinked. “What?”
Talon knelt at the side of her bed and took one of her hands in his. “I’ve been without you for so long, Arianna. The thought of you hating me is a burden too great to bear. So, if you ask me, I won’t hunt him down.”
Her voice quivered. “But he’s your High Lord.”
“And you’re my queen.”
Her lips parted as she stared into his faithful eyes, taking in everything that was Talon. He’d never given up the search, even after her father had declared her dead. This male, this compassionate, strong male had been everything to her once, and that loyalty hadn’t diminished with the time she’d been away. He was till her best friend. Her family.
A silent tear rolled down her cheek, exhaustion taking over. She laid her head back on the pillow and tightened her hold on his hand. Talon seated himself on the floor, folding his legs beneath him, content to stay with her, she realized, for as long as she needed.
“I love him.” Her voice broke and Talon stilled. “He killed my mother and I still love him.”
Talon’s thumb moved back and forth across the back of her hand. “Tomorrow,” he said. “We’ll get through it one day at a time, starting tomorrow.”
ARIANNA STAYED in bed the following day and the day after that. Talon brought her meals, forbidding even the servants from entering to tend to her needs. Somehow, he knew how fragile she’d become without her ever voicing it. She couldn’t face all their questions. Not when she didn’t have answers. Not yet.
Arianna curled into herself.
I don’t want you anymore.
He killed your mother.
Both statements were good enough reasons to forget him and move on as if the last two years of her life were nothing more than a horrible nightmare. But she couldn’t forget his tender kisses or the urgency in them as she willingly pressed her lips to his. Nor could she forget the way he’d ran his fingertips over her skin and the tears he’d shed.
She knew his last words were lies. But her mother. How could she ever face her people again if she were to forgive Rion? How could she stand before her mother’s grave with him at her side?
Her heart ached, far more than she’d ever experienced and she clutched at that place in her chest. He couldn’t have a mate. She knew that. She’d known it long before she’d given herself to him. And when she met her mate how would that male react to the knowledge that she’d given herself to a demon? Would she disgust him? Would he refuse the bond?
But more importantly, could she ever forget Rion? He’d once told her eternity was a very long time. How much longer for those in misery?
Her mate. She rolled the word over her tongue. He’d be king of the Fae. A powerful leader that would sit at her side. And she’d be the tainted queen. She wondered if he’d kill Rion out of sheer territorial dominance.
Her doorknob turned and Arianna lifted her head, expecting Talon when another familiar scent struck her hard. Before she had time to sit up, Ellie’s arms were around her neck, clutching her so tightly she couldn’t draw breath.
“You’re here.” Ellie’s voice cracked. “I didn’t believe them then I caught your scent.” She squeezed tighter. “You’re really here.” A flood of emotions bombarded her at once. Delight at seeing her beloved sister again. Guilt for not thinking about her as soon as they crossed the bridge into Levea. Fear that she’d scent The Demon and want to strike him down like her father had.
The females stayed that way, holding one another with tears rolling down their cheeks until Talon interrupted with a soft knock at the door. He twisted the handle a second later and carried a tray full of tea and sweets.
“Talon says you haven’t left your room and that father has already been a jerk.” Ellie’s face scrunched as she looked over her sister’s thin form. “He says you haven’t eaten much either.”
Arianna stared at her little sister. Ellie could have been her twin had she’d not been born a few years later. But the two were different now in every way. She’d caught a glimpse of herself at the lake house. Ellie’s cheeks were round and full of youth, while Arianna’s were hollow and sunken in. Her eyes were bright and so blue in color they twinkled in the morning light. Arianna’s were dull and lifeless. And the smile on her face. How long had it been since Arianna smiled like that? Was the time she’d spent in the cabin really only a few days ago?
“I missed you.”
Ellie’s lower lip trembled, and Talon took his leave. Her little sister curled up on the bed next to her and Arianna laid back, willing her racing heart to steady. She didn’t release Ellie’s hand. “He hasn’t left your side, has he?” Arianna shook her head. Ellie sat up again, pulling Arianna with her. She grabbed a small plate with a cake and plopped it in her hands. “Eat and tell me everything.”
Arianna stared at the pastry and the perfect icing that coated it. “There’s a lot to tell.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Silence echoed in the small room. Ellie scooted closer until their knees were touching. “Were you really The Demon’s captive?”
“Rion,” Arianna corrected. “His name was Rion.”
