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She fell into step beside the female and Talon followed close behind.

“I’m Cadhla, the village head.”

“Arianna.”

The female smirked. “I always imagined The Divine as someone much older than myself, but I suppose none of us are born with the wisdom of centuries. We must grow and learn from our mistakes just like everyone else.”

Arianna knew what mistake the female was referencing but she refused to acknowledge it.

“Five years into the war,” Cadhla began. “We were still a peaceful village, kept out of the conflict sweeping across the land. We thought we were far enough away from the chaos that we wouldn’t attract attention. Thus, we invited those who didn’t have a home to reside here.” She met Arianna’s gaze. “You see, The Demon took whatever he wanted. Land, homes, supplies, and even our lives where it suited him. And he took it with no regard to how we might survive otherwise.”

Her voice lowered. “We were supposed to be sending aid to their camps and we weren’t. He took it as an act of defiance.”

A dark look crossed her fair features. “The Demon showed up at our gates with a legion of warriors. Some tried to resist, and he tore them apart. He forced many of us to watch so we would learn the cost of disobedience. His men took all our food and—” her voice cracked as she continued. “I tried to tell my son to stand down, but he was young. Maybe even about your age.” Cadhla paused, seeming to relive the horrid memory. Arianna had stopped breathing.

“My son charged The Demon head on and that monster wrapped his foul magic around him so tight that it crushed him in an instant.” Her hands were shaking now. “Just like that, gone. And that horrid creature smiled.” Tears were spilling down Cadhla’s face now, her cheeks and nose flushed.

“No matter what you might think or how you might feel, you have to know who he is at his core. I mean truly know. You could talk to anyone in this village and they’d have a similar story. Is that the kind of male you wish to give your heart to?”

Arianna struggled for words and failed to find any suitable so she just said, “He’s not like that anymore,” But her voice was small and the words felt hollow in the face of this female’s pain.

The female shook her head. “Males like him don’t change. It’s not in their nature. They don’t happen upon a pretty face one day and vow to cast their bloodlust aside the next. He’s a monster and a murderer and he will show you that soon enough. I just hope you’re ready when he does.”

The female excused herself after that, leaving Arianna reeling in the dark memory. She felt hollow, her heart aching for the people and everything they’d lost. Not just their homes, but their family members. And she suddenly realized her life had been so easy compared to theirs.

Her hard days had been spent with hope. She’d known where her family and friends were. She’d been able to sleep with the knowledge that Ellie was safe in her bed while these Fae had mourned and buried their dead.

Arianna had come to help but barely twenty minutes in and she already wanted to go home. She couldn’t. So, with a heavy heart, Arianna healed those who were injured while the villagers shared their heartbreaking stories.

Each one felt worse than the next. They spoke of a very different male from the one who had kissed her farewell that morning. Her soul felt raw and bare, like they’d ripped her heart from her chest and bruised it with their heartache.

Niall sauntered over after she healed a young male with a broken wrist. He’d told her a story about losing his parents and about the nightmares where flashing green eyes haunted the darkness.

“It helps them to have someone listen to their plights,” Niall said as if trying to console her.

But it wasn’t helping her. Not in the slightest, and she knew Rion could feel her swell of emotions. His were silent and Arianna wondered if he’d pulled himself back on purpose, hoping to give her space, or if the distance between the village and Ruadhán had something to do with it.

I am the monster they claim me to be.

He’d said those words to her once, but they hadn’t possessed much merit until now.

He’d been a story she was told as a child. Writing in a textbook while she’d attended school. A warning from Talon and her father.

Rion had been afraid to let her come here because he’d known exactly what she would see.

Rion had changed their lives forever and there was nothing anyone could ever do to make amends.

With an aching heart, Arianna spent the day healing the rest who were injured. She filled a new well and helped spread water across the fields. They even let her assist with building the skeletal foundations for a new building. But despite the labor, it was the emotions that left her exhausted when the sun began its descent in the sky.

Arianna joined the others as they approached their horses, but Cadhla stopped her again. “I hope you’ll consider everything you saw today.” She offered a gentle smile. “Please come visit us again. You’re welcome anytime.”

Arianna maintained her smile even though all she wanted to do was run the entire way back to Ruadhán. “Absolutely. I was happy to help.” Her heart was heavy. So very heavy.

Arianna swung up into her saddle and was the first down the path with Talon following and the guards scrambling to keep up. She couldn’t meet Talon’s gaze, nor those of the other guards. They had already known. Everyone knew the depth of Rion’s actions except her.

She’d only ever seen him kill those who had attacked him first and she’d convinced herself Rion was simply defending himself. Had he really stalked villages and burned them to the ground? Had he killed innocents simply for disobeying?

“My Lady,” Niall’s call from behind had Arianna pulling on the reins of her mare. He pushed his horse into an easy trot then stopped before her, eyes pinched with concern. “You’re leaving?”