Page 16

Arianna

Arianna tried to stretch her legs and winced. She probably should have moved around sooner, but with all the information Conall was giving them, she hadn’t wanted to interrupt.

Rion and Cara were both at her side a second later. “I’m fine,” she assured them.

“May I be of some assistance?” Sive was already on her feet, carefully walking around chunks of rock and dirt. Arianna nodded, but Sive’s gaze traveled to Rion, seeking permission from him as well. It warmed her heart to see someone take his comfort into consideration. They behaved as if his outburst hadn’t even happened.

Sive carefully knelt with Cara’s help, then proceeded to trace the glowing symbols across Arianna’s abdomen. The relief was instantaneous. Their entire group watched the woman carefully, but it was difficult to feel threatened by someone who carried a youngling, especially one so far along. If anything, Sive’s partner appeared far more uncomfortable than any of them. These were pensive strangers around the person he loved and his unborn child.

“You mentioned humans needed blood to draw the runes. Do Fae require a medium?” Saoirse asked.

“Only Weavers can draw and use the symbols without a liquid medium. The Fae require something, be it blood, water, paint, whatever will hold up for the length of time they need the rune for.”

“So, could I do this to myself?” Arianna asked.

“You could. Your magic doesn’t work on your own body, correct?” Arianna shook her head. “Then a few healing runes would do you some good, though they wouldn’t be nearly as effective as your magic. It wouldn’t even be as effective as mine. It takes time to strengthen the ability, just like any other. The more you use them, the easier it is to pull the magic from the earth and mold it to your will.”

Talon stood. “I think we’ve had enough revelations for one day. You need to rest.” Arianna nodded, though, what she really wanted was to soak in a warm bath.

Conall stood as well. “He’s right, I fear, in our excitement, that we might have kept you too long.”

Cara helped Sive rise to her feet and the Fae male took her other arm. Sive smiled at her partner and patted his arm. “I’m all right.” Arianna wondered how many times she had to assure him on a daily basis. Arianna smiled. A lot, judging from concern on his face.

Rion took Arianna’s arm and bent to pick her up, but Sive interrupted them. “You,” Arianna turned her attention back to the woman, thinking she was addressing her. But Sive’s gaze was locked on Talon. “Who was your mother?”

Sive stepped forward and Talon involuntarily stepped back. “I—” He glanced to Arianna, then back to Sive. “Morgana of Levea.”

“She’s Fae?” Talon nodded. “And your father? Is he also Fae?”

“Yes?” Talon answered uncertainly.

“May I touch you?”

Everyone bristled at that, including Sive’s partner. The male whispered her name in warning.

“I’ll do nothing to harm you, I promise.”

Talon exchanged a look with Sive’s partner, who looked ready to carry the woman off and hide her from the world. His gaze dropped to her swollen stomach next, then he reluctantly nodded.

She approached slowly and placed two fingers on his brow. Arianna wasn’t sure she’d ever seen Talon so uncomfortable.

Nothing happened for several long moments, then Sive’s fingers began glowing with a faint blue light. “I knew it.”

She lowered her hand and Talon stepped back. Arianna didn’t miss the way Raevina’s hand rested on a dagger in her belt.

“Pardon?” Talon said, just as bewildered as the rest of them.

“You have Weaver blood in your veins.”

He blinked at her. “I’m sorry?”

Sive smiled. “You’re young, aren’t you? By Fae standards, I mean?” No one replied, but she continued as if their silence were confirmation. “It explains so much. Haven’t you ever wondered why your abilities are so advanced?” He exchanged a look with Rion. “Don’t think we haven’t all heard the stories about a male who stood toe to toe with our King. Not just once, but several times.”

Conall cleared his throat. “Sive has been adamant about recruiting you to our cause. When we learned you were also close with The Divine, it just seemed like fate.”

“But I’m not a half-breed,” Talon said. He shot an apologetic look to Zylah, clearly not intending to offend the female.

Sive only smiled and tilted her head. “No, you’re not. I’d say less than a quarter. Either a parent or a grandparent. But I wonder if it was from your mother’s or father’s bloodline. Did either of them have extraordinary abilities?”

“My father died in a skirmish at one of the boarders. My mother never fought.”

“But her gifts are extraordinary?”

He opened his mouth and closed it. Arianna had never really seen his mother’s magic. Not beyond how they played as children when she’d entertained them.

“The generals often tried to recruit her, but she wouldn’t leave me.”

“I wonder if she knows. Perhaps they kept it a secret.” Sive almost seemed to be speaking to herself.

“Wouldn’t that mean he has human blood in his genes?” Saoirse asked.

Sive’s intense gaze lifted to Saoirse. “You think we’re human?” Saoirse opened her mouth and closed it again. “We don’t live as long as the Fae, but it takes five thousand years before we begin the aging process and given that there aren’t many Fae who have reached that age, I’d venture to say we’re more immortal than your lot.”

Arianna’s eyes went wide. She’d previously wondered if the Fae male would have to bid the Weaver farewell due to her short life span, but if they lived that long—

Sive continued, “There’s a legend about a Weaver who claimed to be over thirty thousand years old, but we’ve never encountered them to confirm. If they’re still alive, I imagine they live far, far away from the chaos of our current world.”

“So—Talon’s magic is different?” Arianna hedged. Her friend seemed to have lost the ability to speak.

Sive smiled at him. “A bit. He’ll be the most apt at using runes once we begin teaching you.”

“I thought we were infiltrating Ashling?” Raevina said.

“We are,” Conall answered. “But we have to wait until our warriors return. We also have to formulate a plan and our queen,” He nodded toward Arianna. “Needs to heal.”

“We don’t have that much time,” Arianna protested. “What about my sister?”

His face fell. “Missions as large as this one demand time. I’m afraid it can’t be rushed. Rest in the knowledge that he won’t kill her at least.”

“How do you know?”

“Because if you doesn’t come willingly, then he’ll use Evelyn as a lure.”

Arianna felt her magic surge again, pulsing in time to her rapid heartbeat. She just had to sit here and wait while her little sister continued to go through day after day of torment?

“What can you teach us in that timeframe?” Saoirse asked.

“We have runes that will help block Pádraigín’s magic. We can show you how to heal minor injuries, how to unlock doors, and reveal glamours that have been cast over an environment.”

“And these will work on those from Pádraigín?” Saoirse asked. “We can really block out their magic?”

“So long as you don’t encounter Vairik himself, then yes. I’m afraid his magic is far too advanced for runes to have any effect.”

“Speak for yourself,” Sive said.

Conall smiled at her. “Too advanced for most of us then.”

“All right, enough,” Cara clapped her hands. “You two need to rest, we’ll pick back up tomorrow.”

Rion bent to scoop Arianna into his arms and those still seated rose. Her mate didn’t wait for a dismissal. He was moving across the open field a second later. Talon and Cara followed with Raevina close behind.

On the way, Cara informed them about a community breakfast and extended an invitation. She explained to Talon how they grew their crops and how they’d organized groups to maintain clean water and their fires. Arianna shuddered. It all sounded eerily like Ruadhan.

Arianna thought back to her brief time in the royal city. Conall claimed the place had been built by Rion’s predecessor. She wondered if he’d also been friends with the tree-like creature in the forbidden forest. The guardian. Maybe that’s why it’d welcomed Rion so quickly. Did that mean it was as old as the original Divine? Were all the fairy folk that ancient?

“I can walk,” Arianna protested in a whisper.

“You’re in pain.” Rion glanced down at her. “Don’t tell me you’re embarrassed about me carrying you.”

She caught a slight upturn in his lips. A smile. After his outburst, she expected him to grovel for weeks. “It draws attention.”

“Trust me when I say they’re more concerned about my magic than you being in my arms.”

“I don’t know,” Saoirse said, coming to walk beside her brother. Arianna peered back to find Zylah and Gavin following. “I think the two of you attract attention just for being you.”

“Thanks for that,” Arianna said, her cheeks heating. “What are you going to do?” Arianna asked. It felt wrong to just leave them alone.

“Don’t worry about us, we can fend for ourselves. Get some rest.” Saoirse turned to her brother. “That goes for you too. I’ll stand watch myself if that’s what it takes.”

Rion opened his mouth to protest but his gaze roamed to the runes Sive had drawn on his arms. “That might … be nice.”

Arianna eyed the intricate symbols. “Do they help?”

“Immensely.” Rion paused. “It’s difficult to explain how. It’s like a constant stream of fresh water.”

“And you’re sure they’re safe?” Saoirse asked.

“They’re better than the alternative.” He peered at Arianna again, his gaze apologetic, but not overly so. She wondered if the runes were helping with that as well. Or maybe almost dying had changed him entirely. He’d never been quite the same after the royal city’s fall either.

“We can show you all around if you like,” Cara offered. “You can see and meet the villagers for yourselves.”

“We’ll take you up on that,” Talon answered.

Cara smiled but Arianna noted a female figure crossing the field. She veered toward them, keeping her head down. Rion’s magic rose and Arianna’s heart beat with it.

Everyone paused then Cara stepped forward. “Maya?” she questioned. “What’s wrong?” Fear drifted off both females.

The new one, Maya, addressed Arianna first. “My Queen.” Her voice was shaking. “I know I have no right to ask anything from you—” She choked on the words and tears rolled down her face. “My daughter. The Weaver has tried but—”

Arianna didn’t hesitate. “Take me to her.”

The female’s face lit up. Rion almost looked ready to protest again, but he followed instead, his magic swirling around his feet as they neared the line of houses.

Rion leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Are you up for this?”

Arianna couldn’t deny her overwhelming exhaustion, but she wasn’t about to let a child suffer either. “It’s fine. My magic needs an outlet anyway.”

Rion nodded as if he could sense it too.

They walked farther and farther down the dirt street with many dropping to their knees as the pair passed. The children just stared, watching Rion’s magic with a certain delight on their faces that their parents didn’t seem to share.

The dwellings were simple, made of carved wood with mud caked between the slates and stones at their base for support. Gardens surrounded the entrance of each structure, with yellow flowers already in full bloom.

Tracks lined the main stretch of road, indented from wagons and people alike. Trees dotted the landscape, casting their shade over homes and storage buildings.

Piles of wood were stacked against homes, though many looked depleted, likely from the brutality of the past winter. She noticed other bags too, along with hay for the animals.

Arianna wondered if parts of the village expanded into the forest. Maybe more animals dwelled there, soaking in the rays that filtered through the canopy.

Maya gestured them inside a small cabin.

Saoirse entered first and held the door open for her and Rion. Rion tilted his body to carry her inside where a number of people conversed in hushed whispers. Their voices slowly died until all stood in shocked silence. One by one, those who were able sank to their knees.

An infirmary. A small one with beds lining the floor.

Arianna tapped Rion’s chest and he carefully set her on her feet. The male outside squeezed his way in, following Maya as she crossed the room and reached for a small bundle being cradled by another female. Maya turned and stared at the tiny infant as if it were the most important creature in the world. She cooed to the youngling, tapping its back gently with her other hand before her gaze rose to meet Arianna’s.

Arianna could hear the child’s labored breathing. Every inhale was a struggled rasp while the exhale made Arianna fearful that it would be the infant’s last.

Arianna limped forward and the female who’d been sitting rose and gestured her to the rocking chair. Rion remained by the door, watching each of them. She could feel his pensive stare from here, but the space was too small for him to follow on her heels. That didn’t stop his magic. It remained circling beneath her feet. She did her best to ignore it.

Once she’d settled, Arianna held her arms out for the youngling. The infant didn’t cry or stir. Arianna held her close, feeling as if she’d never held anything so fragile in all her life. She rocked the chair slightly, ignoring the slight tinges of pain that lanced through her core. Arianna placed one hand on the child’s chest before closing her eyes.

The infant’s lungs were weighed down with fluid and the tissues were so swollen, Arianna marveled that the child could still draw breath.

Arianna recalled the time she’d had to remove fluid from Rion’s body. She also remembered the agony it’d caused him. But she didn’t have to rush this time and she certainly wouldn’t do anything that would cause the child harm.

Arianna began with the irritated tissues, letting her magic guide her as she soothed the inflamed airways. Then she began working on the liquid. Arianna pulled a few tiny particles together and brought them up through the youngling’s airways before they exited through her mouth. The child didn’t stir and the particles were so small that no one else even seemed to notice as she let them roll to the floor.

No one spoke. They simply listened to the infant’s breathing and watched the slight glow of Arianna’s hands.

If the youngling had been older and stronger, Arianna likely could have healed her much faster. But she was so tiny. So frail.

Hours ticked by slow and steady. Arianna didn’t stop. Someone brought her a steaming cup of tea. Rion didn’t protest. Neither did anyone else.

Saoirse settled herself against the far wall beside her brother. There was a pause when the infant required nourishment from its mother. It drank greedily and with enough enthusiasm that Maya had tears rolling down her face once again.

Then the child was back in Arianna’s arms.

Every minute, Arianna could feel a bit more tension leave the youngling’s body.

Night descended. The fire dimmed to coals and the father drifted off to sleep. Arianna smiled when the infant stopped wheezing altogether. A tear leaked down Maya’s face and she took her daughter back, cradling her to her chest, trying in vain to keep her sobs quiet so she wouldn’t wake the child.

RION WATCHED Arianna throughout the night. Saoirse had been right, he was exhausted, but he couldn’t nod off when his mate was surrounded by complete strangers, even if it was apparent they meant her no harm.

They’d be banging on her door tomorrow, begging for her help just like those from his war camp had done.

Arianna smiled at the youngling in her arms and cooed to it whenever the infant became distressed. It’d settle again, curling into her warmth as if it felt safe even with a complete stranger.

Such innocence.

Talon’s words from months ago came floating back. Arianna wanted children. It was something she’d discussed with her childhood friend. Even when she was young, she’d known she wanted to be a mother one day.

His jaw worked.

But how could he give her such a blessing after all the sins he’d committed? Even if Vairik was responsible for manipulating his life, the reality was that Rion had a target on his back. It was something he’d carry for years. Possibly even the rest of his life. If he chose to sire younglings, they’d inherit that very target. His past mistakes already haunted Arianna. He didn’t want it to follow something so innocent too.

He and Arianna had never broached the subject of children. Conall had informed them that conception was easier between mated pairs. And Arianna had never mentioned if she were taking a tonic. If she wasn’t—

He felt his face pale. Arianna was beautiful with an infant in her arms. The way she held it and cherished this small life even though it wasn’t her own. It was magical.

But to have something so vulnerable in the world. To know that one slight of the hand could harm them, kill them.

He wasn’t ready for it. Wasn’t sure he’d ever be ready for it. Just like he’d told his mother, he didn’t deserve such a precious gift.

But if Arianna wanted them—

The mother took her infant back and thanked Arianna profusely before Rion helped his mate stand. She was moving better after Sive’s last healing session. He ventured a guess she might even be ready to travel in a few days.

If Rion were being honest with himself, he didn’t want Arianna anywhere near Niall or Vairik, but he wasn’t sure he had a choice in the matter. Arianna wouldn’t leave her younger sister in their enemy’s hands and neither would he.

Talon and Ravina were both outside waiting for them. They, alongside Saoirse, escorted Rion and Arianna back to their cottage, promising to guard it while they rested. Saoirse mentioned something about a hot bath, no surprise there, but Rion wondered if she were more worried for the half-breed she seemed infatuated with. After what she’d experienced at Niall’s hands, his sister deserved anything as a distraction.

The night was silent save for the crickets chirping in the grass. He glanced up at the stars, soaking in the stillness he’d been missing for far too long. It was here, in these moments, that he regained a sense of peace.

His gaze traveled back down to the markings along his arm. He wondered if he could make them permanent. Every time his mind tried to conjure its panic, the markings would trickle their magic into him. Sive said they worked by pulling energy from the earth. It was such a strange concept, especially compared to how a Fae’s magic pulled from the body. He wondered just how powerful a Weaver could be. Maybe there was no limit.

They entered the cabin minutes later and Rion gently sat Arianna on her feet before helping her out of her clothes. He retrieved a bowl of fresh water for her to wash her face, then pulled on a pair of pants, leaving his torso bare. It’d always been his preferred way to sleep, though if Arianna kept staring the way she was—

The fear of having a child returned to the forefront of his mind. Rion turned away from her, opting to retrieve some of the food from the table. Cara had already informed him she’d be dropping it off.

He returned to the bed and placed a small plate between them. Arianna nibbled on a cracker, her eyes boring into him.

“You’ve been quiet.”

Rion clenched his jaw. Now was not the time to talk about such things. They had too much to do, too many battles to fight. But that was exactly the reason he needed to talk to her. Because if they were on the battlefield or in the middle of the upcoming war—

Rion cleared his throat and stared down at the floor. “Talon told me once that you wanted children.” He swore he could feel his mate smiling down their bond. It only made his heart sink further.

“One day. In the future. Preferably a future where we aren’t at war.” His hands clenched and unclenched around as he struggled for a response. “Do you not want them?”

“I don’t know,” he answered honestly. “I just—” He blew out a breath. “We’re—together—a lot and after what Conall said about mates and younglings—”

“I take a tonic,” Arianna said. Rion looked at her then and the amusement on her face had the stress crumbling from his shoulders. “Zylah helped me with one when we were in the war camp. Others did the same whenever we could find the herbs. I’ve always taken one … just in case.” She looked away and Rion gritted his teeth at the thought of everything she’d been through. At all the things he still didn’t know.

“Then Myrna, my caretaker, helped to supply one when we were in Móirín. Ellie took over the job in Ruadhan. I wouldn’t risk a child while we were in the middle of … all that, no matter the odds.” She took another small bite. “And I don’t really want younglings quite yet.”

“But you do want them.”

She looked at him again, but Rion couldn’t bring himself to meet her gaze. “Would having a child be so bad?”

“No.” His answer was too fast.

“Look at me.” He couldn’t disobey. Her brow furrowed with concern. “Do you not want children?”

“I want to make you happy.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“I—don’t know.”

She rested a hand on his and threaded their fingers together. “Then I’ll ask you again in a few centuries.”

“And if I still don’t know?”

“Then I’ll ask again in a few more.”

His jaw clenched again. “I want to give you everything, but—”

Arianna set the plate on the floor, then scooted onto the mattress. She beckoned Rion closer and he rested his head against her chest. “Do you feel me down the bond?”

Rion clutched her shirt. “Every minute.”

“Then you already know it’s okay.”

He nodded, then kissed her, helping her scoot under the blankets before settling in. Rion curled Arianna’s body against his and held her, thanking the gods for the mate they’d granted him. He prayed they’d get those centuries just so Arianna could indeed ask him again.