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Oh. Well, that certainly changed things. But of course he wouldn’t want to go to Móirín. He was more hated there than in his own country. Nothing would change for him.

“Okay, where do you want to go then?” Talon’s gaze shot toward her, but she ignored it.

“Home.”

Home? To Brónach? But he’d said he didn’t have anyone there. His sister maybe, if he were willing to rekindle their relationship, but he hadn’t been there in years. He’d said so himself.

Could she travel to Brónach? She could if she went as The Divine. They’d welcome her just like those from Rion’s camp. “Then I’ll go with you.”

“Arianna,” Talon protested.

“I don’twantyou to come with me.” She flinched, Rion’s intonation hitting far harder than his words. Cold. So very cold.

Panic crept into her voice. “I don’t understand.”

His heart beat wildly now, but he turned to her with a wicked smile. Something she’d only seen him show his enemies. “The game’s been fun, don’t you think?” Rion tilted his head toward Talon. “She was certainly sweet.”

A rage-filled snarl ripped from Talon’s throat, but she was between them before Talon could lunge.

“Stop it, both of you. Rion.” She thought she saw him flinch at his name. “What’s going on?”

He stared at her for a long moment, seeming to consider then that same wicked smile returned. “I’m a demon, remember?”

“You’re not.”

“Oh, but I am. You think you’re the first female I’ve toyed with? Certainly, the most interesting.” He laughed and a chill ran down her spine. “You soaked up every word like a child starved for affection.”

“Stop it.”

Rion stepped toward her, and Talon pulled her behind his body. Rion smiled again. “Relax, I wouldn’t want to kill her precious Talon. I’ll leave her for you, part of the enjoyment is knowing they’re still alive. Knowing The Demon has forever tainted their bodies.”

Talon growled. “Leave.” Rion smirked, gave her a final look, and brushed the shrubbery to the side as he left the den. She stood there immobilized, breath barely escaping her lips. Despite his words, Rion’s heart continued to pound, his breathing too fast.

No. No, this was because of Talon. He’d said something to Rion last night. That had to be it. He was leaving because they’d agreed returning to Móirín was in her best interest. He was just trying to hurt her.

Arianna ripped her arm from Talon’s grasp and ran from the den. Rion had only made it a few steps.

“You don’t have to do this. We’ll figure it out. We can leave Móirín and Brónach behind, we’ll travel across the sea, whatever you want.”

His heart skipped, but when he turned, that same wicked smile still marred his face. “Persistent, aren’t you? Or is it desperation?” He sighed and shook his head as if speaking to a child. “Let me spell it out plainly.” Rion met her gaze then, his hard and unflinching. “I don’t want you anymore.”

“Then why did you say all those things to me?”

He shrugged and made a show of thinking. “I find it fun,” he ran his eyes up and down her form. “And I would have said anything to get that body on top of mine. My commanders chose well, I’ll have to reward them when I get back. Maybe I’ll get another plaything just as sweet.”

He turned and Arianna stared at his back, clinging to the sound of his racing heart. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes. “Rion.”

He didn’t turn and her heart fractured a bit. His earth floated up, dancing around him as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

“Rion.”

He shifted into a sprint, moving further and further away, and something in her splintered.

“Rion,” she screamed, hit her knees, and Arianna’s heart shattered completely.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Rion