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Niall sighed in the awkward silence that begged him to leave. “I feel we’ve gotten off to a bad start.”

“Lying tends to do that,” Arianna said, moving another piece without really looking at it. She just needed something to do with her hands.

Niall didn’t respond at first. “I could have handled it differently,” he admitted. “I could have told you the truth up front and been better prepared. I—” He stopped himself. “I apologize. There’s no excuse for my actions. With the centuries I’ve lived, I’m afraid I’ve learned to rely on deception far too often. It’s a crutch of immortality.” He tried to smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I hope it’s not too late to start over. I’d like us to be friends.”

“Just friends?” Arianna wasn’t sidestepping the discussion. If she was going to stay, then she would lay out all the rules right now.

Niall eyed her mate. “I think we’ve already had this discussion, but to solidify my intentions, I’ll reiterate: I have plenty of males and females to satisfy my physical desires.” He clasped his hands. “Males and females who are plenty willing and free of chains unless they wish for them.” She knew the comment was meant to shake the tension, but Arianna kept her face blank. “I won’t ask you to join me in my bed unless you wish to.” Rion growled, but Arianna could have sworn she saw something in Niall’s gaze spark. “Of course, your mate is welcome to join when he’s able to share.”

Arianna gaped at the audacity. “What?”

“It’s only the newly mated and young who feel so territorial over their coupling. As centuries pass, many couples, mated or not, grow bored physically and find alternate forms of entertainment, often with other couples.” He gave her a knowing smile.

Arianna cleared her throat and returned to staring at the glass pieces. Her queen was surrounded. She couldn’t let Niall distract her with his nonsense.

He seemed to sense her switch in demeanor and tried again. “Can we not be allies, you and I?”

“I won’t marry you,” she stated and Rion froze. She hadn’t told her mate all the details of Niall’s previous conversation. “Even as a political front. I’m not comfortable with it and if it’s something that will be demanded of me, I’ll remove myself from the city.”

Niall’s gaze softened. “You’re so willing to leave.”

“I’ve been given no reason to stay.”

“Do you find living here so abhorrent?”

“I find it foreign and wasteful. I see strangers down the halls looking to me for answers and a council that’s loyal to someone else. I see a future that’s already been decided without my consultation and quite frankly, if I have to threaten to leave at every turn, then I’d rather keep some of my dignity and go now before I’m viewed as a child throwing a tantrum.”

“We don’t view you that way at all.”

“Rion is my mate,” she continued. “The council will have to deal with that. He will be present at all future meetings and will stand at my side as I fulfill my role to the people of Alastríona.” Arianna met Niall’s hesitant gaze. “I know what the texts say and I don’t mind ruling with you, but I will not do it under false pretenses. We can be allies, but it will be on my terms and no one else’s.”

Arianna felt Rion’s pride swell down the bond. Pride for her. For his mate rising to stand up for her values and beliefs. She waited, her attention going back to the board as if Niall’s answer meant nothing.

“Not much for tradition, are you?” Arianna didn’t respond. Niall seemed to be contemplating. If he didn’t agree then she’d have to search for a new home. She couldn’t return to Levea, not with the growing rebel factions. “I agree.”

“To what?”

“Everything.” Her lips parted. “Many of our rules were put in place long ago. Too long ago, it seems. I will discuss all this with the council and sort through the details before our next meeting.” He paused. “We want you with us, Lady Arianna.” She locked eyes with him. “We want you as our queen to guide us toward a better world.”

Chapter Thirty-one

Arianna

The week flew by in a whirlwind of activity. Every morning before breakfast, they joined Ellie for dancing lessons. It was still excruciating, especially when she could feel every territorial thought radiating from Rion down the bond, but they were managing. If Rion could handle Talon dancing with her, then he could handle anyone. She hoped.

After breakfast, they proceeded to the training yard where Ellie detailed her adventures sneaking into office spaces. She still hadn’t found much. Just more ledgers and some old notes that mentioned an affair between two married couples. It left Ellie frustrated and Arianna fearful. She just prayed her sister wouldn’t get caught.

Every day it seemed the crowd watching them train grew. She hated it. Arianna was certain rumors of her abilities were circulating through the manor, but as long as no one provoked her again, they wouldn’t glimpse those sort of powers.

The ancient magic baffled Ellie and Talon who both tried to get her to summon it to no avail. Ellie threatened to attack Rion again just to see if it would surface, but Arianna had promptly growled at her sister and Ellie had relented. For now.

Arianna stretched a sore muscle in her side and tried to focus on Ellie instead of the gathering crowd. She was successful for the most part. That was until Rion removed his shirt.

She could have died right there. Sweat rolled off his frame and he tossed the soaked fabric onto an empty bench before shifting back into a stance.

Her mouth went dry and her lips parted. She’d never seen him train like this. Not so openly and without restraint. The way he moved, gliding from one position to another with his magic trailing him. His muscles flexed and he pulled at the earth beneath his feet, taking it up and up and up before it all crashed back down. But it didn’t hit the ground. It dispersed instead, circling his body once again.

“Gods above, one would think you’ve never seen him without his shirt on,” Ellie said. Arianna jerked her gaze away, cheeks heating. “Hey Rion,” Ellie raised her voice and Rion turned, chest rising and falling. “Care to cover yourself up? The Queen can’t focus.”