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But Arianna couldn’t rest. Not yet. She kept healing, kept moving from body to body, no longer caring who knew and who didn’t. After how hard they’d fought to protect her, she refused to let any of them die.

Talon barked orders to those with enough energy to move and set up a perimeter, instructing the able bodied to check for survivors in the surrounding rubble. She didn’t want to imagine the funerals or the cries of pain when those in shelters discovered their loved ones weren’t coming back.

Rion settled himself in a far corner and Arianna watched him carefully before kneeling at her sister’s side again. Ellie had fallen asleep before the battle even ended.

But she was alive. Thanks to Rion, her little sister was still alive.

So, what did that mean for her?

Arianna stood with a heavy sigh and walked away without a word to anyone. She knew all eyes followed her, as they likely would for the rest of her life, but she also knew they’d give her a minute to herself. Because they understood exactly how she felt.

Arianna hid behind the nearest structure and leaned her head against the crumbling stone. She tried to take a deep breath, but the acrid air burned her throat and she coughed instead.

Her vision blurred and Arianna tilted, but strong arms pulled her against a warm body, and she let herself fall into him, knowing exactly who stood beside her by his scent alone.

Arianna’s body trembled but for the first time in over a month, her heart felt whole. He’d done so much in the span of an hour. He’d eliminated their enemy, he’d saved her sister, then he’d help secure a place for them to rest.

But how much good would it take to erase a lifetime of sin? How many lives need to be saved to replace one stolen?

Arianna pushed away from him and Rion let her, but his hands remained lightly on her shoulders as if awaiting her next move.

“I need to know,” she rasped. “I need to hear it from you.” His heart pounded. “Did you—did you kill—” Arianna couldn’t finish the sentence.

“No.” She searched for the lie, trying to scent it in the surrounding air, but she only tasted fear. So much fear. “I swear,” his voice shook. “I took her, I won’t deny that, but Iswearto you Arianna, I never hurt her.”

Arianna tried to calm her breathing. “And the rest?” It all came crashing back.

I don’t want you anymore.

“Lies,” he whispered. “All despicable lies.”

She didn’t move. Couldn’t as she tried to process his words and the truth in them. She didn’t have the courage to meet his gaze.

Her father believed Rion had killed her mother, yet Rion claimed innocence.

And neither male was lying.

“I—”

“Arianna?” Her head whipped toward Talon’s worried face. He paused mid-step and took in Rion’s hands on her shoulders, but before he could speak and before she understood why Arianna found herself running into Talon’s arms. He held her close, and she finally let the last few hours come crashing down. The pain, the hurt, the fear. And when she turned back around, Rion was gone.

Chapter Forty-Five

Saoirse

Saoirse studied those seated in the small room, a gathering she’d never thought to see again in her lifetime. Avalon, Móirín’s High Lord, sat in a chair with his hands folded, rage pouring from his body. Ten warriors, six male and four female, surrounded him, each standing with their weapons drawn, eyeing her younger brother. And three of his council members sat at the very back with wary expressions.

Saoirse had ensured her sentries kept their weapons away. Tensions were high enough without provocation. She eyed Rion, oddly the calmest among them.

She was certain the female was alive. But had he spoken with her? Had he explained himself?

“Your assistance was the last thing we expected,” Avalon began.

Saoirse cleared her throat. She didn’t have time to prepare a speech, but blunt truth had served her well in the past. “Before the war, our families were allied for centuries. Upon learning the truth, we felt the need to rekindle that alliance.”

Avalon’s hateful gaze locked on Rion, though her little brother didn’t seem to notice. “And you claim, after all these years, that this—creature had no involvement in my mate’s death?”

Saoirse stiffened at the word ‘mate’. Not a wife. Not a lover. His mate. She never wanted to experience the depth of that loss.