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Rion eyed him. Trust had to start somewhere and Rion had more than proven he was willing to go the distance to erase the scars of his past.

Talon extended his hand. “I could assist.” Silence enveloped the pair. Arianna looked between them, tears staining her cheeks, but her smile could have lit up a room. To his surprise, Rion took his outstretched hand and Talon pulled his king to his feet.

Chapter Ninety-five

Arianna

Avalon had planned further ahead than he’d previously let on. He’d found a neighboring village where the residents were more than willing to aid their queen.

Arianna’s father had spoken with the elders and had elaborate plans in place in case they needed to retreat. Instead, they simply needed a place to rest.

With Niall in irons and the royal city destroyed, the Fae in the large village welcomed those who sought sanctuary. In fact, they were so ecstatic to have their queen among them that a mated pair had even offered up their home for her to temporarily occupy.

Arianna had tried to refuse, but the pair wouldn’t be persuaded. Talon said she deserved it, and when her friend’s gaze lingered on Rion, she heard the words he didn’t say.

He deserved it, too.

So she’d relented, just for one night, and walked into the small yet comfortable structure with her mate at her side.

Her father stationed guards at the doors and below the windows with a promise that no one would disturb them for the rest of the night. Thank the gods. She just needed one moment of reprieve after the near constant chaos of the last several days. Arianna pulled the curtains shut for good measure.

“We should clean up,” Rion said from the foyer. He swayed on his feet and she wondered if he would collapse right there on the floor.

“Do you want to go first?”

He shook his head. “I think I need to sit. Just for a few minutes.”

Arianna nodded and fell into awkward silence. At one time they would have bathed together, likely stayed beneath the steam for as long as the water remained hot. And she wanted to. She wanted Rion more than she craved breath, but that fear had started to return and he’d noticed it, too.

When his hands had grazed the scar on her arm, she’d jolted back as if she’d been burned. And when his lips had touched her throat, she’d stiffened and her breath had caught for all the wrong reasons.

“I’ll make you some tea first,” she offered. It was the least she could do, yet it didn’t feel like nearly enough. Rion had just saved an entire city full of people and all she could offer him was tea. To say she felt pathetic was an understatement.

Arianna put an old kettle on the stove and turned the knob. Silence filled the small space again, but this time she took the time to study her surroundings.

There was an unlit fireplace along the back wall with a mantle full of pictures and trinkets that told the story of a family with two children. Toys leaned against one corner and two small pairs of slippers sat by the front door.

Everything about the home was kind and inviting. It was the kind of place she longed for and hoped to one day have. Maybe she’d be blessed with a few children of her own, too. Arianna eyed Rion. Provided he wanted any. They’d never broached the subject and she’d been taking a preventative tonic since her return to Móirín. Just to be safe.

Rion sat in the wooden rocking chair and leaned his head back, exhaling as he closed his eyes. The sofa looked more comfortable, but he probably didn’t want to dirty the furniture. Arianna examined herself and grimaced at the blood staining her shirt. She certainly looked like she’d been through hell.

The kettle screamed and both she and Rion jumped at the sound. Arianna scented his magic and her fear rose, coating the living space with its acrid tang. She tried to shove the feelings away to no avail.

Rion’s face softened. “Sorry.”

Her lips parted. She hated the way he looked at her. As if he were ashamed. She hated herself for causing those feelings. Nothing had been his fault. Nothing at all, and here he was having to keep himself in check so he wouldn’t frighten her.

Arianna rummaged through the cabinets until she found a container of dry leaves. She popped the lid off then smelled the contents and sighed in contentment. Lavender and mint. Just what they both needed.

Maybe everything would go back to normal after a good night’s sleep. They didn’t have anything to worry about now, save for rebuilding. The hard part was convincing her mind it could rest.

Arianna filled a tea ball with leaves, then crossed the room and placed the steaming mug on the square end table.

“I won’t be long,” she promised. Rion only nodded, his eyes closing once again.

Arianna raced up the stairs, turned on the water, and scrubbed her body as fast as she could. She ripped the brush through her hair, threw on a pair of button up pajamas from the closet and promised herself that she’d clean everything first thing tomorrow morning. Afterward, she’d give the family their home back. There were enough people outside residing in makeshift tents. She wouldn’t let those who normally lived here be one of them.

Chapter Ninety-six