Page 10

Rion

Time raced and stood still, coming in waves. Some moments felt like water crashing through him, dragging his mind beneath the surface while others felt like everything had frozen over. It left him wondering when the next crack would come or whether his reality would shatter entirely.

Those surrounding him whispered, more to themselves than to him, but there were a select few that were brave enough to speak to the unpredictable creature in their midst.

The group that’d promised aid moved fast, yet it also felt as though they were trudging through mud, climbing a steep mountain peak after a fresh snow with no end in sight.

Somehow, the Dark Fae had disappeared. He remembered killing a few, sending his magic out to crush their bodies. The warriors accompanying them had seemed grateful, but he’d hardly paid them any attention. Not with Arianna fading.

No, she’d be fine. They’d get to this promised camp, she’d heal, then they’d escape back to the village to—to … Rion bit the inside of his cheek and tasted blood. Physical pain was the only thing rooting him in their reality, that and the steady rhythm of Arianna’s heartbeat.

They rode in a wagon now, the contraption pulled by two horses. Rion couldn’t remember where it’d come from. He’d hardly listened to the explanations. He didn’t care. He just wanted to get wherever they needed to go. He just prayed that it wasn’t directly into the enemy’s hands.

Arianna’s heart, though steady, sounded … wrong. He couldn’t explain it. He only knew it wasn’t right and she needed help as fast as these Fae could provide it.

His gaze roamed over the blood soaking her tunic, then the stains on his hands. There was more on his clothes too.

Too much.

Too much. Too much. Too much.

Only one other person sat in the wagon with them. A female, her hands trembling and also covered in his mate’s blood. Bruises lined her neck. He studied them, wondering if he’d been the cause. Rion searched for the memory, but there were so many others. He’d killed someone, maybe several of their comrades.

They only had themselves to blame. He’d warned them not to touch her. Or had he done it before?

A male remained nearby. The same one who’d stopped Rion from killing them all. He’d convinced Rion this female could ease some of Arianna’s pain. Possibly stabilize her. It was only after Arianna’s heart had skipped another beat that he’d relented.

His hands shook. He couldn’t heal her. He had no power here.

“Can you close the wound?” The male asked, his voice frantic. The others were worried too, he could scent it in the air all around him and he hated it. He hated them. He hated himself for ever allowing this to happen.

“I’m trying.” The female sniffled and Rion glanced up just long enough to see a tear roll down her dirt-stained face. A sliver of guilt trickled through whatever emotions were swirling around his heart.

He had hurt her.

Rion’s gaze flickered back to Arianna. His chest tightened and his lungs constricted to a point where he could hardly draw breath. It felt as if the vines of Brónach had come alive inside his body and were choking him from the inside out.

“Control yourself. Set your grief aside. She needs you.” The male’s hand rested on the female’s shoulder in comfort. Rion’s magic crawled over the male’s arm. He couldn’t control it, not that he wanted to. Anyone close to Arianna was a threat. He wouldn’t let anyone else harm her.

The female held her hands over his mate, tracing symbols across her abdomen. Rion’s magic snaked around her body, daring her to cause anymore damage. He’d tear her apart.

The rest of their comrades walked beside the wagon, keeping a healthy distance away, at least as much as they dared with the Dark Fae still lurking somewhere in the forest.

Rion risked looking up, trying to gauge where they might be headed. North, but north to where? Ashling? Niall? An iron cage?

Strange magic pulsed from the female’s symbols that did nothing for his nerves. It twisted his stomach in strange ways. He’d nearly lashed out at first. Maybe he had. That might explain the bruises. But as he’d watched, he’d sworn he could see a slight change to Arianna’s wound. It was still open, but the profuse bleeding had finally stopped.

Nothing made sense. Healing magic was supposed to be reserved for The Divine so where was this female drawing her energy from and what did it mean?

Sweat beaded against her forehead and her teeth were clenched. “I can’t heal this. I need Sive.”

“We’ll be there soon, just keep her steady.”

The female cast a fearful glance toward him for a split second. “But she’s—”

“It’ll be okay. She’ll know what to do.”

Rion clenched his jaw. He wanted to grab them both and demand answers, but anything drastic might interrupt this female’s concentration. He was afraid to imagine what might happen if she pulled her hands away from Arianna.

Rion hated the secrets and the unknown. He hated relying on others. And right now Arianna was at their mercy.

His life was a living nightmare. Worse.

The wagon rolled on and on and on through an endless sea of trees. The female remained hovering above his mate, her back bent and both arms outstretched. The symbols glowed with a faint bluish light that flared before sinking into Arianna’s abdomen. He wanted to ask a million questions, but he didn’t dare to utter a single word. One slip, one miscalculation and he might lose Arianna forever.

Then he’d be—he’d be—nothing. All over again, he’d be nothing. Less than nothing.

“Almost there,” the male whispered, as if he could read Rion’s spiraling thoughts. “You’ll feel a barrier as we pass though, but it’s nothing to worry about.”

Rion’s fists clenched. “A barrier for what?” His voice wasn’t his own. It was dark and empty. Like he’d reverted back to his previous vicious self. Without Arianna, it was all he knew. It’d made people from his past listen and obey.

“Pádraigín’s magic keeps us hidden from the rest of the world.” Rion’s eyes went wide, but the male continued before he could protest. “We’re a small group composed of every nation, much like Ruádhan was.” His gaze roamed back to Arianna. “There are … younglings there. Fae and half-breeds. I know you fear for her but please don’t take your frustration out on the little ones.”

Younglings. If there were younglings, then there wouldn’t be chains. Right? Or was that only wishful thinking? Niall certainly hadn’t had an issue with it.

“Then keep them away from me.” The words tasted foul leaving his tongue, but it wasn’t meant as a threat toward the little ones. He couldn’t be sure of himself right now. He wasn’t sure when his control might slip and if Arianna’s heart stopped—

The male’s face paled, but he nodded and stepped way. Rion watched his whispered exchange with another. Two Fae glanced his way before disappearing through the trees.

They were running to warn someone. Running to announce their arrival and everything in him wanted to stop them for fear of what it could mean. They could lay a trap for him and if they succeeded, then Arianna wouldn’t have anyone to protect her. But if he killed them all and ran—he looked at her again. If he ran again, she wouldn’t make it.

Calm , he willed himself. Breathe . He just needed to keep a clear head. If he did that, then he’d be able to anticipate a trap before it was laid. He’d see through their intentions if—he wouldn’t. Not right now. Who was he kidding? He’d lost his first battle when he’d been distracted by her mere presence. He’d failed to see Niall for the threat he was because he’d been too busy trying to please his mate and show her that he could be more than just a blood-thirsty monster.

Maybe change was the problem. Maybe holding himself back was what had caused half of their messes. If he gave up caring, he could easily rip the world apart and lay it at Arianna’s feet.

Only … she wouldn’t want that. She’d forgiven him for so much but everyone had their limits. If he killed these people, would he finally find those limits?

“It’s just ahead,” the male said, his voice soft and coaxing. Just ahead. Hope? Salvation? Betrayal?

Rion’s magic circled tighter and moved faster, pulsing in time to his heart beat. His throat went dry all over again. The horses kicked their feet out, surging forward slightly to get away from the circling grains. He tried to keep his magic away from them, just so they wouldn’t jostle Arianna anymore than necessary, but it was so damn hard.

Another Fae stepped forward, taking the reins and whispering soft words to the creatures as if they might comfort them. Rion tried to listen too.

They won’t hurt Arianna.

They won’t hurt Arianna.

They won’t hurt Arianna.

The words felt like a lie from a stranger.

Rion scented the magic before he felt it. It buzzed through the air and as they passed through, Rion felt it cascade over his skin like a thousand insects. He bent toward Arianna and the female tending to her leaned back.

Then it vanished just as quickly as it’d come.

A line of Fae appeared before him on the other side, all watching with pensive gazes. He stood in the wagon, scanning each of them one at a time.

Nearly three dozen.

His jaw worked.

Then he saw the smaller silhouettes in the distance, each hiding behind more Fae.

The younglings. A village. Masses of eyes watching from every angle.

None had their weapons drawn. None had weapons at all.

The wagon veered left and Rion watched each person in passing. Their gazes were curious, awestruck even as they stared at his magic. Some raised up on their tiptoes as if they might be able to spot something else. They whispered amongst one another and their fear was … different. It didn’t carry the same harsh tang that he normally scented. Because it wasn’t directed toward him.

“There’s a bed waiting inside,” the male said, interrupting Rion’s thoughts. “We should—”

Rion spotted the small cottage the male had gestured too and was moving before he could finish his sentence.

The female who’d been tending to Arianna leapt from the wagon too, keeping close as Rion carefully scooped his mate into his arms. His ankle throbbed, nearly buckling as he put weight on it. Arianna groaned and his heart jolted at the sound.

“It’ll be all right,” Rion whispered, even if he wasn’t sure he believed it himself.

The male opened the door and Rion stormed past him, thankful to find the interior void of more bodies. He immediately turned toward the bed and deposited Arianna on a soft, cream colored quilt.

Once again, the female approached and placed her hands over Arianna’s wounds. That unnatural light returned and Rion could only watch the strange magic in helpless anticipation.

The same male from earlier stood on the threshold. “Sive is on her way,” he assured. The female at Arianna’s side nodded.

“Who is she?” Rion demanded.

“Our best healer.”

Rion gritted his teeth, then took in the layout of the room. There were two windows and the front door. Three points of entry.

His body itched to pace the length of the cottage, but he remained still, watching the female’s magic for any sign of malintent. Those who’d greeted them hadn’t carried any weapons, but were they gathering them now? Were they plotting the best way to separate him from his mate?

He couldn’t calm his still racing heart and the female seemed to note his rising panic. Her gaze met that of the other male’s, but that male only nodded in reassurance, as if saying anything might set Rion off all over again.

There were several here with the ability to use Pádraigín’s magic. Would they try to knock him out? Steal the air from his lungs? How many were they willing to sacrifice in order to subdue him?

Rion’s heart was pounding so hard the only thing he could hear was the racing of his own blood. He needed to calm down and—Arianna’s heart skipped again and Rion hit his knees at her side, grabbing her hand, uncaring that the female tending to his mate could reach out and touch him with little effort.

Gods, please, please, please. He couldn’t lose her. Not like this. Not when she was so young and had barely had any time to live.

More bodies gathered by the door. Rion swallowed a lump in his throat and turned to stare at the female that had stepped inside. A male stood behind her, one hand lightly resting on her shoulder.

Rion couldn’t stop his magic as it glided across the floor, daring the new arrivals to take a single step. He scented the air and every hair on his body rose. Something about her was … different. Ancient. Her scent was similar to the female currently tending to his mate, but also different in a way he couldn’t grasp. It reminded him of the way an older Fae smelled when they possessed more magic than their younger counterparts.

This was who they’d called to help his mate? Did they really believe he’d let someone like her anywhere near the anchor that rooted what was left of his soul to the world?

Did he even have a choice?

This female, Sive, took a step into the room and Rion growled, rising to his full height as he placed his body between her and Arianna. The male at the female’s side grabbed her arm, trying to pull her back, but Sive gently rested a hand on his chest and drew a symbol there. It glowed for the briefest moment before disappearing.

The male’s heartbeat slowed. His breathing eased too. The pair stared into one another’s eyes, seeming to have a silent conversation of their own before she turned back to face him.

No. Not her. Anyone but her.

Something was wrong. Different. Rion pulled his lips back from his teeth. He didn’t want this female anywhere near Arianna.

Arianna’s heart skipped again and Rion’s throat burned. He tried to swallow it back, bury it down, but the tears formed anyway, lingering to cloud his vision.

He wanted them all out. He needed them out. If Arianna was going to die, then she’d do it in his arms and he’d go with her.

His breath came faster. Pain blossomed in his chest and constricted his ribs. He grabbed his shirt, willing the agony to pass. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t breathe.

“What have they done to you?” His world paused at the sound of her ethereal voice. Blood thrummed through his ears. Pounding. Pounding. Pounding.

She gave him a sad smile then lifted one hand and drew a symbol in the air. “So much darkness. So much pain.” Rion felt something in his shoulders give way. Like a tiny sliver had been chipped from the fear consuming him. “Has no one shown you kindness?”

His gaze wandered to Arianna. Her , he wanted to say, but his lips wouldn’t move.

The female drew another symbol in the air between them.

The lump in Rion’s throat thickened.

She drew another.

His lips parted and a strangled gasp escaped. His mind cleared another fraction then he could finally put a name to the emotion swirling through him.

Not fear.

Terror.

Absolute terror.

Because if he lost her—if he lost her—

The female’s features came into focus. Soft blonde hair hung down to her hips in gentle waves, the strands loosely held back from her face with a pair of twists that circled the crown of her head. Her eyes were honey colored and carried so much warmth within that he felt his own body relaxing even further.

She took another step into the room, her hands still moving in a slow, methodical motion. Rion stepped back and she paused.

“Is that better?”

“What are you doing to me?” His voice came out raw and broken.

“Nothing that will harm you. And sadly, nothing that is permanent.”

He felt warm again, able to think clearly too. She stepped again, closing the distance so that she was only an arm’s length away. Her gaze drifted to Arianna lying on the bed behind him.

The female’s other hand drifted to her stomach and he finally looked down, noticing the swell. She smiled at him then Rion scented the air.

Not female. Woman. But her scent was strange, a mixture of something he couldn’t place. Not a half-breed but—

Her hand stopped drawing symbols between them. Grief flooded through his already fractured heart, as if she’d torn down every wall he’d built to hold it all back.

“Help her,” he begged. It was a broken plea. He’d give her anything if she promised to save his mate.

Sive nodded, her face turning more serious as she turned and sat at Arianna’s side. She placed a reassuring hand on her companion’s shoulder, then, with a final look, that female fled from the room.

Three individuals waited by the door, but Rion wasn’t even sure he cared anymore. He watched as the pregnant woman reached for Arianna and her hands began to glow. Rion settled himself on the floor beside the bed and took Arianna’s hand, pressing it to his lips.

She drew a different symbol over Arianna’s wound, staining her fingers with blood. Rion just watched his mate. Praying. Hoping.

As the minutes ticked by, a male crept through the door way. Rion gave him a fleeting glance before turning back to Arianna. He couldn’t very well blame someone for wanting to be near their partner, especially when they were carrying their youngling.

The male settled himself behind the woman, watching as she worked.

Time ticked by slowly. She drew symbol after symbol, each more complicated than the last. Rion only waited with bated breath.

Then Arianna’s breathing eased a fraction. His mate’s brow furred and she moaned. Rion was up on his knees in an instant, looking her over for whatever might be causing her distress.

The woman’s voice was soft when she spoke. “Just as with her magic, healing is not a painless process. But rest in the knowledge that she won’t recall any of this.”

The woman, Sive, pulled away the fabric of Arianna’s shirt. Rion grimaced at the soaked material but found himself watching the strange blue light circling his mate’s wound.

It was healing. Gods above it was actually healing, but it was different from Arianna’s magic. Arianna was able to heal wounds in an instant, but this looked far more strenuous.

“Do not despair,” Sive whispered. “She will live.”

Rion had never heard three more beautiful words. A choked sob escaped him and he pressed Arianna’s hand to his head, squeezing tight.

When he looked up again, he found Sive watching him. “One day soon, there will be a time for you to heal as well.”

Rion’s lips parted and as he stared at this strange woman, he had the strangest feeling that he was seeing one of the gods themselves.

His lips parted. “What are you?”

She smiled, easing the ache in his chest. “A Weaver.”

Weaver. He didn’t know that word or didn’t have the sense to pull the information from his memory. “I don’t understand.”

She kept working, her eyes once again focused on Arianna. “I believe you call us witches on this continent. We find the name a little too barbaric for our liking.”

A Witch. Weaver. His heart sped again. He had a million questions and a million more fears but Rion swallowed them down.

“You … can heal.”

She drew another symbol. “The earth heals, I’m simply the mediator that borrows and bends its power.” Another symbol then the wound on Arianna’s stomach closed entirely, leaving behind a jagged pink scar. Another to add to her collection.

Sive reached for Arianna’s head and drew a few more symbols before pulling back.

“Explanations can come later. For now, just know the two of you are safe. Rest, heal, eat and we’ll answer all your questions when your mate is awake and ready for them.”

The female stood slowly, cradling her swollen stomach with both hands. Blood stained the silken fabric but Sive didn’t seem to mind.

“Thank you,” Rion breathed. It was all he could say but words couldn’t even begin to express the depth of his gratitude.

Sive dipped her head. “No. Thank you for finally coming to us. We are here to serve, My Lord. Whatever you need, you have but to ask.”