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If Arianna thought the look Niall had shot Talon was bad, it was nothing compared to the death glare he tossed at Ellie. Her sister didn’t back down.

Niall picked up his glass again and sipped the wine as if he needed it to maintain his composure. “I’m afraid I’ve worked too hard for that.” He pointed a long finger at Rion. “I’ve leashed that one. Quite easily I might add.” Niall raised his free hand and waved. A pair of males entered the room and every muscle in Talon’s body froze as they dragged a struggling Raevina between them.

Blood dripped from her nose and irons were clamped around her wrists, a short chain binding her hands together. She still managed to free one of her arms and slam an elbow into one of the guard’s nose. He cursed and another two flew through the side door. The injured one drew a dagger and pressed it against the base of Raevina’s throat.

She stilled, but it wasn’t fear Arianna found in the female’s gaze. It was cold, unrelenting hatred.

Niall smacked his lips. “Ah, do you hear that? I believe this is called checkmate.”

A tang of fear floated around Talon that Arianna didn’t quite understand. Her friend’s throat bobbed, then she noted the way Talon seemed to tally every scrape and bruise along Raevina’s skin. Almost as if he were tucking the information away for later.

Niall rose from his chair. “You’re out of options,” he said casually, then cast a sideward glance toward Ellie. “And if you so much as move, I’ll make sure those arrows find your heart.”

Ellie gritted her teeth but remained silent. Arianna hadn’t realized her sister had palmed a dagger. She had likely planned to launch it at Niall’s heart, cold as it was.

He drained the last of his wine and studied the bottom of the glass. “It’s funny, isn’t it? That the gods made us so powerful yet weakened us where our mates are concerned. It’s no wonder my father loathes the idea of them.”

Talon growled, but he didn’t move. Arianna looked between him and Raevina again. Mates. She’d noticed Talon’s attentions toward the female, but, gods. Niall had his mate.

Arianna’s voice shook, but it wasn’t for the reasons Niall assumed. “You already have the throne and the city. What do you want from me?”

“The people,” he said simply. “They flock to you, their queen. You really should hear the way they speak of you with such reverence.” Niall eyed Rion and she stepped closer to her mate as if she could shield him from the male’s wrath. “The revered and the pariah.” He chuckled. “Fate really is a cruel thing, isn’t it?”

Arianna didn’t respond. She didn’t know how to.

“I tried doing things the noble way by attempting to win your heart, but it seems you won’t allow that to happen with that one in the way.” His gaze returned to her, but Arianna refused to back down, even as her body screamed at her to run, run, run.

“I could have made you happy, you know. You would have eventually forgotten about him and lived a life of comfort where the people adored you.” Niall shook his head. “But we’re beyond pleasantries now. I need you to declare me as the rightful king so my plans may continue.”

“What makes you think I’d ever agree to that?” she seethed.

Niall raised a brow. “I’m certain you realize by now that you don’t have any other choice. Unless of course you wish for this to end in bloodshed. I would, however, like to avoid ruining my tunic. The seamstress just finished it this morning.”

Arianna chewed her lip and felt Rion’s hand tighten. She squeezed it again. Three times. Niall seemed to notice.

He sighed. “I like order and I would very much like this night to go according to plan, but you get to ultimately decide how this ends.” Niall lifted a hand and the archers surrounding them notched their arrows. “I can, for instance, command my warriors to fire and end the lives of everyone in this room.” His hand lowered and the archers relaxed. “But that would leave you in a state of grief I’d rather avoid. Instead, those under my command could shackle your friends and place them in the dungeons where they’ll be relatively cared for. So long as they behave, of course. And they’ll remain alive so long as you comply with my demands."

Arianna studied the archers. “For someone claiming they need my assistance, you have an awful lot of Fae already willing to serve you.”

Niall chuckled. “Yes, well, that’s what centuries of work affords you. Loyalty. I’ve kept their lives comfortable and asked for very little in return. You, however, have come in here and threatened to tear down the very foundations our world was built upon.”

Arianna eyed the guards again. She recognized a few faces, even if she couldn’t place them. Arianna knew exactly what kind of comforts Niall referred to.

“Slavery isn’t a comfort or a foundation.”

“It’s a very profitable business. And many rely on the income to maintain a certain lifestyle.” Niall stepped closer, eyeing Rion for a moment. Arianna growled in warning and Niall’s face contorted in anger. “I can promise you one thing: If you don’t comply, the grief you suffered the last few months will feel like nothing compared to the agony you’ll experience next. You had friends to care for you then. This time, you’ll only have me.”

Niall dropped his glass and it shattered on the floor, causing all of them to jump and tighten their hold on their weapons. Water and ice mixed together as the guards from Móirín readied themselves for a fight. The only one who didn’t react was Rion.

Niall pointed to him. “Your mate can’t hear us, in case you’re wondering. I have him in a complete state of suspension. He’s currently fighting his instincts to protect. Only in his case, your mate can’t be sure of his enemies.” Niall cocked his head. “I could keep him like that for eternity if I wished, though I think death would be more of a mercy, don’t you?”

Arianna’s throat went dry and Niall continued. “I still see hope in your eyes. Do you think your father will show up to rescue you?” He chuckled. “Let me tell you a little secret, Arianna of Móirín. I have manipulated and set things in motion that you can’t even begin to imagine. I have eyes everywhere and I hear everything.

“There was once a male who thought he could challenge me. He was prodding in all the right places, unfortunately for him, and asking too many questions. My father demanded I deal with it, but the male was too powerful for me to simply kill. I needed him to continue in his role. Remember when I said I liked things easy? So, instead of removing him, I decided a distraction was in order.”

Niall circled around the table and popped open the bottle of wine. “I tried little things at first, but it was never enough. Even his daughters couldn’t distract the male from his pursuits. I increased the stakes to our game, but he was so damn stubborn.” Niall shook his head. Arianna’s heart was thundering now. “Unfortunately, I had to take drastic measures.” He poured the blood red wine into his glass. “All this time, you’ve been hunting for the wrong culprit.” Niall pointed to Talon. “Or rather, you have been hunting for the wrong one. It was such a brilliant plan.”

“Bullshit,” Talon snapped, but Arianna’s heart felt as if Niall had shoved a javelin through it.