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Rion cursed again and ran back. He laid the ax on the floor and bent to help her up. As soon as his hand met her shoulder, Eimear lunged for his throat.

Rion snatched the ax before she was over him and used the handle to keep her teeth from clamping around his throat. She growled and thrashed, snapping her teeth and snarling like a wild animal.

He had just enough leverage to buck her off before rolling out of range. Eimear lunged for him again but the chains pulled taunt and Rion cringed at the way the restraints jerked her back. She didn’t seem to notice.

Rion just stared at the rage in his mother’s gaze. Eyes that were so much like his own. Kaylee had fled as soon as Eimear moved. He could still hear the girl’s footsteps as they slapped against the stone.

Great. He’d have to navigate this dark maze to find her before they ran to the surface.

But first, he had to convince his mother he wasn’t a threat.

His heart hammered in his chest as Rion stood in the doorway. Eimear hadn’t backed away. She remained close with the chains pulled taunt, eyeing him as if he were the one who’d placed her here.

Rion knew the look well. She glared at him like he was a monster. He’d taken that look from so many others through the decades. He deserved that look. Earned it.

But he couldn’t take it now.

Not after all the beatings. Not with starvation and weariness trying to convince his muscles to give in. And not with his fractured bond.

So Rion collapsed right there on the stone. His knees hit the surface hard and he just sat there, staring at her, broken and unsure of himself. He needed to escape, but he couldn’t do that without her. and if she didn’t trust him. . . Rion had three other chains to break and she’d likely snap his neck before he got the chance.

Rion thought of Arianna at that moment, about all the times she’d spoken to him as though he were a cornered animal. What would she have done in the situation?

“I’m here to help,” Rion tried.

Eimear still stared at him, like she expected him to fade and shift back and—but that’s exactly what she expected.

Niall had shown him false images for months and Rion was certain he’d done the same with Eimear. Which meant she didn’t know whether this was real or imagined. Did she think him Niall in disguise? Did she believe killing him would finally end her torment?

Rion looked at his bloody hands. How distorted was her reality? How many times had Niall offered her hope only to violently tear it away?

“I don’t know what to say to comfort you,” Rion said. “I’m not good at these sorts of things.” He peered at her and noted the softness on her face. A dangerously crafted façade designed to lure him in. A muscle in her hand flexed and he knew those claws would rip out his throat if given the chance. “But I promise I’m not with that monster.”

She didn’t speak, only stared.

“I’m from Brónach,” he continued. “I have a mate who is waiting for me. Niall wants her for himself, that’s why I’m here. And if I don’t get back, the bond we have will shatter.”

Eimear might as well have been stone.

“Please,” he begged, still on his knees. “Let me set you free.”

Something in her face changed then, just a spark, but Rion saw it through the dim light. Freedom. It was likely all she thought about now, the sole thing that kept her going.

Rion lifted the ax. She might still attack him once the chains were cut. Maybe he’d get lucky and she’d run. Either way, he had to try.

Rion stood and she backed away a step. He gestured to her arm. “Set it on the ground and I’ll cut you free.”

Eimear eyed him, then the ax, then him again before sinking to the ground in a way that reminded Rion of a cat.

Her gaze never left him as Rion dared to venture closer. She was going to kill him. He’d seen murderous intent enough times to know. Still, he couldn’t just leave her here.

Rion slowly lifted the ax, then let it swing to sever the chain that bound her to the floor.

His mother didn’t move. She hadn’t even flinched as the sound still ricocheting through the room. Rion pointed toward her ankle and she slid it forward, her gaze still trained on him. Rion cut it quickly, right against the shackle.

Eimear finally extended her left arm, the only thing still keeping her captive.

Rion took a deep breath, prayed to the gods, then cleaved the chain in two.