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But Rion had to be out there somewhere. It wasn’t like someone could just disappear.

Arianna stood, her breakfast largely untouched, and left without a word. His heart plummeted. She was a female without her mate. A soul in the world that had lost half of herself.

Talon had never been religious and sometimes he wondered if the gods reached down to help them at all, or if they sat on their grand thrones in the sky and laughed at the misery of their subjects.

Chapter Sixty-five

Arianna

Arianna paused in her doorway and stared at the folded letter resting on the floor. Arianna glanced up and down the hall once and spotted Raevina regarding her cooly from the other end. The female had brought her own guards to stand beside those from Móirín. No one entered the hall or left without Raevina’s permission. Did she know who had put the note there?

Arianna entered her room and picked up the folded letter with trembling hands.

I’m looking. Don’t give up hope.

Was this from Gavin? It certainly looked like his handwriting.

Don’t give up hope.

She was trying, but every day was harder than the last. Arianna gritted her teeth, fighting back tears, clenched the paper in her hands, then marched from her room and straight to Raevina. The female stood straighter at her approach, if such a thing were possible. “Did someone pass by my room this morning?”

“Not that I’m aware.” Her gaze drifted toward those who’d been stationed to stand guard while she was at breakfast. They shook their heads, not needing Raevina to repeat the question.

Raevina gripped the hilt of her sword. “Is there someone in your room?”

Arianna quickly shook her head. “No, no, I just thought—”

“Best if I have a look, just in case. Don’t write off a gut feeling.”

Arianna nodded, thankful for the female’s help, and followed her to the doorway. Raevina searched her closet, the bathroom, beneath the bed, and even along the walls as if someone could be hiding in the shadows. Which, in Fiadh’s case, she supposed they might be.

“All clear.” She scented the air again. “Though it smells a bit like Pádraigín’s magic in here. Perhaps we should move you to another room, just to be safe.”

Arianna shook her head. “No, I’m sure everything is fine.” She clutched the note in her hand, hoping she wasn’t giving herself away.

“You’re hiding something.”

Arianna’s face heated. “It’s nothing, really.”

Raevina’s brows pulled together. “I want to protect you, but to do that, I need to know everything that might put you in danger.”

“It’s not dangerous,” Arianna promised.

“You’re absolutely sure?”

“Yes.” Raevina scanned her a final time before walking toward the door.

“I really am here to help you, my lady. Please don’t hesitate to ask for my assistance.” Then she closed the door.

Arianna sighed and waited for the female’s footsteps to echo back down the hall before she pulled the piece of paper from her pocket again. Gavin. He’d pledged himself to her in the council room, right in front of everyone, yet something had happened between him and Ellie.

He’s watching.

I’m looking.

Who was watching and what was he looking for? Rion? Could she trust Gavin to help her? And if he didn’t know Rion’s exact location, did he at least know who might be responsible for taking him? Could he confirm that Rion had been taken?

As much as she wanted to seek Gavin out, Arianna realized he was warning her. And if she raised suspicion, she could very well be killing Rion in the process.