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Talon stopped at a familiar pool of water. He smelled her, but somehow the scent was still too faint for his liking. Like she’d passed by and simply disappeared without a trace. He took a small step forward, eyes searching first beneath the bridge and then in the water itself.

But there, resting in the very place where Arianna used to dip her feet in the cool liquid, sat a single frozen rose with a tendril of her dark hair attached.

Talon’s entire body shook and with trembling fingers, he picked up the flower, caressing the attached strands.

Her scent. Her strong, alive scent.

He gazed out onto the water and several little eyes stared back, as if reassuring him it was true.

Arianna was very much alive.

Chapter Eleven

Arianna

Two days passed, and another knock at the door had Arianna scrambling to her feet. She scented Rion’s irritation at the disturbance and had no doubt he’d likely kill the males responsible once he was back on his feet.

The thought should have frightened her.

She wrung her hands together. What would she tell them? They’d given her a knife and promised her refuge if she finished The Demon off, but as soon as they’d handed her the blade, Arianna knew she couldn’t follow through. She’d hidden it beneath her blanket and prayed Rion hadn’t noticed.

Arianna turned the handle and the hinges creaked. She stared into the male’s hard gazes, but before she could speak a calloused hand slapped her across the cheek so hard it sent her careening into the nearest wall. Their magic rushed forward, crawling over her skin and wrapping around her throat. She clawed at it, desperately seeking air and freedom.

Her gaze shot toward the bed and fear flooded her body. Rion. If he died—but Rion’s magic was already moving. Somehow, in mere seconds, he’d gotten to his feet, the sand a raging storm circling his body. The particles covered the entirety of the room and he snarled so fiercely it altered his features completely.

She scented their fear, but the males lunged anyway, their vines shooting forward to claim their prize. But Rion’s magic was faster. He shredded the greenery as if it was a child’s plaything, then lifted the two would-be assassins with ease and threw them through the open doorway.

Rion stormed past and she hunkered down, willing herself smaller. Earth spilled from the cabin in his wake, and she tried not to cringe as those particles roamed over her legs like angry insects rushing to the aid of their queen.

The two scrambled to their feet and took several steps back as they accessed the male they’d hoped to kill. She could see the fear in their eyes, smell it spilling off them. The earth darted toward the pair like a viper and wrapped around their wrists. It yanked them to their knees, and the males screamed in agony and horror.

The sand circled their wrists and blood dripped down their arms, splattering the ground. Rion silenced their screams by sending thousands of particles down their throats until they were suffocating in silent horror. Arianna turned away when their bodies fell.

Those in the vicinity were silent, staring at the creature they’d feared for decades. They’d come to see an end to their nightmares after hearing about the attempt on his life. But he’d killed that hope in one blow.

Rion stared at each of them, his sand rising once again. It reeked of blood now, but he didn’t recoil from it. His breath clouded in the frigid air.

“Anyone else?” He screamed, a growl radiating from deep in his chest, reminding her exactly who he was. Arianna didn’t bother looking up. She knew no one else would challenge him. Not today.

It felt like he stood there forever, waiting, wanting it even before he stepped back inside and slammed the door.

Arianna kept absolutely still, unsure if she even remembered how to breathe. He pressed his back and head against the door, let out a long breath, then slid to the floor.

Her entire body trembled, frozen by the fear he invoked. Despite the time she’d spent in his presence, Arianna was once again the female slave thrown into his cabin on that first night. Males were aggressive after battle. Known to kill anyone who crossed their paths and right now, she was the only one here.

Rion’s body shook, and he kept his head down, taking in steadying breaths. She knew he was in pain, but clearly, that didn’t hinder his abilities. His gaze met hers and Arianna flinched at the hardness there. His eyes roamed toward the sting in her cheek and she flinched again when she scented his anger.

Rion’s gaze traveled to her neck next, where he’d bruised her a few nights ago then landed on her scared wrists, still raw from his magic. Both stared at one another. Neither moved.

Rion composed himself and braced one hand on his knee. He grunted, trying to rise to his feet, but fell into the nearest wall instead. Arianna shot toward him, arms extended, and her heart skipped a beat when his magic wrapped around her body, trapping her like it had those two males.

She tried to calm her racing heart, tried to place him back into the mold of that injured male from a few nights ago. Her voice was too quiet and she knew fear poured from her in waves, but Arianna still managed to get the words out. “Let me help you.”

His lips parted and the hardness to his gaze vanished as if shattered by some unseen force. She reached out a hand and though his heart rate spiked, Rion took it.

Carefully and slowly, Arianna slid her fingers down his wrist and wrapped an arm beneath his shoulder. They stood together, his other arm bracing against the wall for support.

Despite his display moments ago, their movement was slow, and she was certain with the adrenaline dissipating, the pain was unbearable. Fae were quick to heal, but not that quick.