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And nothing.

Talon didn’t know what to do. He didn’t want to return to Arianna empty handed, but he didn’t have the heart to break the news to her, either.

Rion was alive. Of that much everyone was certain, but no one could find him. Not Saoirse with her warriors from Brónach. Not Niall with Ruadhán’s elite. And certainly not him, no matter how many experienced Móirín warriors he took with him.

It was like the male had just disappeared and, according to Ellie, he’d been completely silent down the bond. Or what was left of it. He’d overheard the sisters talking.

Talon shook his head. They were in a mess. The council wanted a coronation. The world wanted their queen. He needed his friend. But all Arianna desired was her mate returned to her, safe and sound.

“This is ridiculous,” a familiar voice echoed from the hall. Talon broke into a sprint and rounded the corner to find four guards with pensive gazes, a very angry Ellie standing before Arianna’s open door, and Raevina staring them all down with her arms splayed outward. “She’s been in there for two months. There’s work to be done. The ambassadors aren’t here to pledge themselves to the city’s regent.”

“She’s indisposed,” Ellie said, but Talon could hear the warning growl in her voice.

Raevina clicked her tongue. “He’s not even her mate, and the sooner she accepts that and gets out of that room, the better off she’ll be. You think our enemies are just going to sit by forever? Have you heard what’s happening out there?”

“I know well enough what’s happening.”

“Then why isn’t she—”

“What’s going on?” Talon demanded, and he could have sworn the guards signed in relief at his presence.

Raevina turned on him and something in Talon’s heart pulled toward the female. He hadn’t had a chance to speak with her since the ball. They’d both been busy with their own tasks, but her beauty hit him just as hard now as it had then. Long braids around her perfectly shaped face. That flawless skin that seemed to call to something in his blood.

Talon shook his head, trying to clear it.

Raevina said, “She needs to come out of that room.”

“Why?” He stepped closer to Ellie, trying to peer inside. Shit. Arianna was awake, but for the first time in a while, she was focused on something. On Raevina, but Arianna didn’t appear to be absorbing her words. She was just staring at the female.

“Why?” Raevina looked stunned. “What do you mean, why? She’s the queen. There are things that need to be done.”

Talon noted the sweat beading on Raevina’s forehead. Her slightly labored breath. “Are you feeling all right?” he asked.

Raevina waved one hand. “Don’t change the subject. It’s been two months. If The Demon hasn’t returned by now, then he isn’t coming back, and it’s time for you two to stop coddling her and demand she fulfills her role.”

“If people like you don’t leave her alone,” Ellie seethed, “I’m taking her back home to Levea.”

“And how do you plan to do that? There are factions everywhere, both for and against her, demanding she make an appearance. Civil war is breaking out over her demands with the slaves and she’s done nothing to sort it out.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Ellie said between clenched teeth.

“Talon?” Arianna’s small voice had him in the room in seconds, Ellie on his heels. Raevina remained in the doorway, watching, her arms crossed as she leaned against the threshold. Arianna gave him a hopeful look and Talon’s stomach plummeted when that hope died in her eyes. Like it did every time he returned.

He hated it. Hated himself for being the one to cause it.

“When are you—” A sharp hiss and intake of breath had Talon’s head swiveling toward Raevina. She’d collapsed against the door frame, holding her side. Talon stood, ready to assist her, but she righted herself. Her color had paled a shade and bags appeared beneath her eyes. Talon thought she might be sick, but Raevina straightened and stepped back. “You’re the queen,” Raevina said. “Start acting like it.”

Then she was gone, her boots echoing off the smooth floor. Talon thought he smelled something acrid in the air. He turned toward Arianna who still watched the doorway as if Raevina might reappear, and felt his heart pull for his friend.

He would spent his whole life hunting down the male Arianna needed, and right now he’d give anything to find him.

Chapter Fifty-eight

Saoirse

Saoirse sat on one of the many stone benches in the garden, head between her hands as she stared at the dirt path, watching the beginnings of rain gently pepper the ground.

Saoirse knew she should move. She should go inside, sort through the plans and details, but despair had grabbed hold of her that morning and left her plummeting into a deep chasm.