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Not that the citizens would take his side. Hell, no one would. Separating from Arianna had been a fool’s hope.

“I can see that brain of yours churning,” Ellie said. “So let me settle something right now. Coming after you in any way would only hurt my sister and after watching her wallow in grief for a month, I’d rather not witness it again.”

A month. Pain hit him hard. He’d done that to her.

“Why in there?” he nodded toward the trees.

“Because I don’t want certain entities to overhear what I have planned. Arianna is going to Ruadhán whether we like it or not and unless you want to be left behind, I suggest you follow.”

Rion loosed a breath and searched their surroundings, letting small grains of his magic wash over the area. She was right about one thing. They weren’t alone but who was to say the spies wouldn’t follow them into the trees?

He almost laughed to himself. He knew the females were close but relying on the strength of their relationship felt like fate mocking him. Like it paralleled exactly what he’d always wanted from his own family.

“Okay.” He followed and she grinned, spinning around to jump from the path and into the trees.

The sounds of the city faded, replaced by the scents of the forest. Rion caught the Fairy Folk peering at them from around the branches and stumps and he watched Ellie’s expression brighten in their presence. Maybe she felt it was a good omen. He certainly hoped so.

A male scent drifted toward him and Rion stopped in his tracks, his magic rearing up to wrap around his body.

“Relax,” she said. “It’s just Kirian.”

“Why is he here?”

“Because I want him here.” They rounded a tree to find a tiny clearing and Kirian sat on a blanket with an assortment of food spread out before him.

The male stood awkwardly and though he smiled at Ellie, Rion noted the trace of fear in his scent. Ellie hugged him and planted a chaste kiss on his cheek before the two sat beside one another.

“Kirian, I’m sure you remember Rion. And Rion, this is Kirian.”

The male bowed his head slightly. “It’s nice to meet you. Officially.” Right, because the last time he’d seen the male, he’d been fussing over Ellie’s unconscious form. Well, he’d seen him in the infirmary wing too, but the male had paid no attention to Rion. His focus had been entirely on Ellie.

Ellie handed Kirian the bag and grabbed a wrapped sandwich. “What’d you bring us?”

“Your favorite, of course.” He glanced at Rion. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, but I made you one as well.”

Ellie patted the blanket. “Come here, sit.”

His lips parted as he stared at the pair. He doubted the sandwich was poisoned, but there was no telling who else might have overheard her plan, who might have watched them enter the trees and who might lay waiting just outside.

He turned, feeling a pulse of aggression down the bond and stared toward the estate.

“Don’t worry about her,” Ellie said. “I’m sure our father will piss her off, but he won’t hurt her and neither will Talon.”

Rion clenched his fists. “Why am I here?”

Ellie stopped filling her plate. “I told you.”

“So get to the point.”

She sighed. “I was looking forward to eating first, but I guess hoping you’d relax was a just wishful thinking.” She wiped her hands on her pants. “I overhead my father talking to a representative of Ruadhán last night. He arrived before the others and they plan to leave with Arianna first thing in the morning.”

“Let me guess, I’m not invited.”

She made a mocking voice. “The Demon is not to come near the city.” She ground her teeth. “I’m sure you can guess the rest.” He could. He was no stranger to assassinations.

“Yeah.”

She clenched her fists. “They don’t even know you, they’re just going off some stupid prophecy.”