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“Define weird.”

“Earlier in the library, I saw someone around the corner, but it was like they were . . . cloaked in shadow or something. Then they just vanished.”

Rion led them up the stairs. “I didn’t smell anyone.”

She hadn’t scented anyone either. Arianna sighed and rubbed her temple. “I might be losing my mind.”

“You most certainly already have.” He tried to stifle a grin. “No one in their right mind would have brought me here.” Arianna gave him a playful shove, but Rion pulled her close. “Don’t doubt yourself. If you saw something, then chances are it was real, we just have to figure out what it means. Pádraigín’s talents could be responsible.”

But why? What were they hiding and was it worth waiting to find out? If they were laying a trap for her—or worse, her mate—then she needed to intervene. Then again, maybe Niall didn’t know about it, either.

Arianna thought about all the things she’d been sure of months ago and the way those things had changed in such a drastic way.

She’d believed Rion was a monster. That the Dark Fae in the mountains were mindless creatures that murdered any who dared enter their territory. Both had proven to be false. Then there was the bond that wasn’t supposed to exist, yet lay before her so clearly. Maybe she needed to get her hands on a copy of the ancient texts and read them herself.

“I’m starting to feel like everything I know is a lie.”

Rion led them past the bedroom and out onto the balcony where she could see the last rays of the sun dipping below the horizon. “Maybe it is,” he said too quietly.

“That’s reassuring.”

Rion didn’t reply at first, so Arianna tugged him close, waiting for him to collect his thoughts. “Before you came into my life, I’d stopped believing in anything. Hope was a thing for fools. There was only power and obedience.” He shook his head.

“Then you told me I wasn’t a monster. You told me you loved me.” His voice grew thick. “Then the bond appeared. None of that was supposed to happen. I’m not supposed to have the ability to create anything aside from destruction.”

“And yet here you are.”

He nodded. “The texts are adamant about what and who I am. But they’re just as adamant about what and who you are.”

“So how did they get one of us so wrong?”

He shrugged. “It makes one wonder if we should be listening to them at all.”

“Well, maybe we can try to read and decipher it together.”

He raised a brow. “You want to solve the great mystery of the ancient texts?”

She grimaced. “Maybe during down time. I just don’t know where to start. All this,” she gestured with her hand toward nothing in particular, “is just as confusing as your stupid game of chess.”

Rion took her hand and angled her body to face him. “One,” he held up a finger. “Chess is not stupid.” She huffed out a laugh. “And two, this world you’re part of now is exactly like that game. They want the upper hand. They want to stay three steps ahead of you at all times.”

“So what do I do?”

He smirked. “You’re the queen. The queen can do anything she wants. You’ve been compliant and played their beginning round. I’d say it’s time to make a few plays of your own.”

Arianna couldn’t help but admire him. She’d come here to change lives, and now she had a real opportunity to do it.

Arianna nodded. “I’m going to bring it up at the next meeting and you’re—” A female yelled off to their right and Arianna startled. Rion’s magic flew up to surround them but upon realizing no one was attacking, Arianna leaned over the railing to get a better look.

She couldn’t make out their faces in the dimming light, but three sentries stood around a lone figure with their weapons raised.

“Who are you,” she overheard one guard demand. “And how did you sneak into the garden?”

A female voice answered. “I already told you. I’m here to see Arianna. I came with those from Móirín—”

“Half-breeds are not permitted here at this hour. You will return to your quarters and await instructions.”

“I—” A guard grabbed her wrist from behind. One moment, they were standing, the next, they were off their feet, flying back as if they’d been struck in the chest by an invisible force.