Page 22

Arianna

Nine days passed before they were walking through the underground cavernous halls on their way to infiltrate Ashling. Her wounds had healed, thanks to Sive, Conall’s warriors had returned, and they’d each studied the maps, plans, and escape routes relentlessly. She could practically see Gavin’s drawings every time she closed her eyes. He was quite the artist.

Said male walked just ahead of her, still wearing the iron bracelet at Conall’s request. Most still distrusted him, but Arianna could feel his sincerity whenever he spoke. Gavin was a good male who’d grown up under the influence of the wrong people and ideals. If he were willing to learn and change, then she was willing to give him the opportunity.

Arianna lifted her gaze to the tall ceiling, watching as water dripped from the crevice that reached higher than their light could penetrate.

When Conall had mentioned tunnels, Arianna had envisioned tight, narrow passageways, but these were the complete opposite. The Fae walked comfortably in small groups, whispering amongst one another with packs slung over their shoulders.

She glanced down at her wrist to the pair of bracelets the Weavers had gifted every single warrior embarking on this mission. The stones attached to the band acted as a means to keep track of time, counting down to Ashling’s destruction.

One bracelet for the journey there. Another for once they arrived. If everything went according to plan, they’d have around twelve hours to find her sister, free the prisoners, gather intel, then set the place on fire. Or explode it, as Conall planned to do.

Arianna traced her fingers over the six stones that had already turned dull. Each one had been imbued with a certain amount of magic. It pulsed until that magic faded and triggered the next to activate. Handy, given their mission, but Arianna wasn’t sure twelve hours would be long enough to accomplish it all.

They had one shot. If they messed up—Arianna shook the thoughts away.

She pulled her sleeve back further to reveal the small rune painted on her skin. It would serve too help them resist Pádraigín’s influence. Everyone had a similar marking, courtesy of the Weavers.

Conall led them personally, something that surprised her given that he was the leader of the resistance group. Arianna thought he might stay behind, but the male had assured her there were more than a few who could take his place should things go wrong. Cara among them.

Arianna glanced over at Rion, listening to the drip, drip, drip of water as it rolled down the sides of the tunnel walls. Those with Pádraigín’s magic kept the air moving, just to ease those uncomfortable with thousands of pounds of rocks overhead.

But it did nothing to calm her mate’s fears.

Sweat rolled down his face despite the pleasant temperature and his heartbeat had been erratic since they’d stepped foot underground. Whenever she took his hand, he gripped it like a lifeline, hardly seeming to notice how tightly he squeezed. Just like he was doing now.

She made a point to not let go if she could help it.

Arianna kept walking, following the line of hundreds that accompanied them. Each had their own assignments. Some were solely responsible for retrieving the prisoners. Others would secure their exit, ensuring no obstacles blocked their path. The mission had to be fast. They had to trust everyone knew their roles and could act quickly if things went wrong.

Twelve hours was all it would take to change the direction of the entire continent one way or the other.

Talon had tried to convince her to stay behind. She’d told him she wouldn’t risk losing another friend to the monster that called himself a High Lord.

Arianna watched one of the warriors pause and press their back against the wall as everyone else filed past. Another stopped beside them, both opening their water skins to take a long drink.

They were part of the team that would be helping prisoners make the journey back. All would remain unconscious until they reached safety. She just wondered how long it would take their minds to believe it.

The sound of rushing water grew louder as they kept pressing forward. Conall had mentioned the walls would carve around an underground river at the halfway point. They’d rest for a few minutes before crossing the final stretch.

Arianna tugged at her uncomfortable uniform. She wore Pádraigín’s colors, with a heavy green cloak that she’d pushed back to leave her arms free. She hated the rough material and hated the colors even more. Niall had wanted to cage her in these colors. To combine them with the blues and silvers of Móirín. Even if it meant doing so against her will.

But even if she hated them now, these clothes were the only thing that would hide them once they crossed into Ashling. Rion wore the same colors though if he loathed the material, he didn’t show it. Or couldn’t be bothered to care with the fear coursing through him.

Her mate’s gaze flickered to the right where a bit of shadow had jumped along the wall. It’d just been from one of the torches and yet even that slight bit of movement sent her mate spiraling.

The wall opened ahead, giving Arianna full view of the gushing water.

The line slowly came to a halt.

Arianna unclasped the heavy bag from around her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. She dragged it toward the back wall, leaning it against the rock. They’d told her she didn’t need to carry anything, being that she was the queen, but she’d insisted she could help. As had Rion.

Talon was ahead, alongside Raevina, but once again, the two seemed to be mostly ignoring one another. Arianna couldn’t wrap her mind around the dynamic. It was as if they were magnetized to one another even if they didn’t speak.

Rion had told her to stay out of it. She’d only pouted, knowing it was best to let them work it out on their own.

Rion placed his pack beside her own before leaning against the rough wall. He breathed deep and closed his eyes. Arianna watched his jaw clench. She could scent his magic as well, even if he tried to keep it hidden.

Most gave them space, opting to sit closer to their comrades. They were always watching as if they were afraid she’d vanish if they looked away.

Arianna sighed then approached Rion slowly, gently tugging on their bond. He cracked one eye open. His lips parted, but Arianna spoke first. “Don’t try to convince me you’re okay.” She kept her voice low, barely a whisper. There wasn’t really any way for them to have privacy here, not with the wide open tunnels.

Rion didn’t move as she paused before him and laid a hand over her mate’s racing heart. He sucked in a breath and watched her, his eyes wide and wild in a way that made her own heart race.

Arianna shoved her fear aside and someone to their left gasped when light began emitting from her palm. She ignored them. Rion’s shoulders gradually melted beneath her touch, like ice beneath a warm sun.

Rion leaned forward, pressing his forehead to hers. “Thank you.” He didn’t need to elaborate. He’d been caged within walls with nothing but darkness for company for months. Being under the mountain sent those memories racing to the surface all over again.

Arianna just wished she could remove his pain permanently.

“I should have let you do that from the beginning,” he murmured, voice raw.

“I tried to tell you.” The words hung between them, heavy with the silence of the weeks that had followed Ellie’s disappearance. The pain. The loss. It was all still there, gnawing at the edge of her thoughts. Rion and his mother … they’d suffered far more than anyone should have to.

Arianna’s fingers brushed the skin of his neck as she leaned in. “You’re safe now,” she said. “You’re safe with me.”

He relaxed further and wrapped his arms around her back, pulling her close. Arianna found herself wishing for the cabin again. For just another moment where they could disappear and forget about the rest of the world.

A throat cleared. “We’re ready to move, My Lady.”

Arianna pulled back, met the male’s gaze, then nodded. “We’re ready.” She glanced down at the first bracelet. Half the stones were already dull. Once they reached Ashling, the second would begin ticking away the hours until they saw Ellie again.

The cavern came alive with sounds as everyone stood and began pulling their packs back over their shoulders. They murmured to their friends and heart rates spiked with excitement for the mission to come.

The line began moving, but Rion gently grabbed her upper arm and pulled her aside. “Are you sure about this?”

Arianna furrowed her brow, glancing around at those who filtered past at a snail’s pace. “It’s a bit late for me to back out now.”

“You could.” His voice was almost hopeful. “Talon and I can go. Conall already told me he’d give you a personal escort back to the village.”

“And you’d just let me leave with complete strangers?”

“Raevina said she’d join you.”

“And when did you all decide to have this part of the conversation without me?”

Rion looked away, shame filling him in a way she hated. “I never want to hold you back, but …” He grit his teeth. “Conall spoke with us when you were working with the Weavers. There are things you’re going to see in Ashling that won’t be pleasant.”

“I know.” Pádraigín was the country that procured the slaves after all. She knew the atrocities there would be far greater than anything she’d seen thus far. Though she wondered if those who sold their own kin were even worse. Perhaps they were the true monsters. She’d never understand how a human could sell another human without feeling racked with guilt.

“You won’t be able to help them.”

Her mouth went dry. She knew that too, even if she’d been trying to avoid thinking about it. “I know that too.”

Rion’s jaw worked. “I know you—” His gaze traveled to her wrists. “I know you understand, but—” He gave her a playful smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’ve also seen you try to take on an entire unit of warriors for one slave.”

“I had you to back me up.” She touched his chest again. “You don’t really want me to stay behind.”

He laughed, more to himself than at her words. “No. I don’t. I want you with me every second of the day, but I also don’t want you in danger.”

“You can’t have it both ways.”

“I know, which is why I’m letting you make the choice.” Even after she’d nearly died in his arms.

“You already know my choice.”

He smiled again and pressed his forehead to hers before capturing her lips in a longing kiss. Rion pulled away. “We’ll get them out after,” he promised. “Once we have Ellie, we’ll get the rest out.”

“How?”

He shrugged. “I’ll improvise. Saoirse and I are good at that.”

“Sounds like the two of you are just trouble waiting to happen,” she teased.

He ran a hand through her hair. “Maybe.” His face turned serious again. “But I have no intention of leaving anyone in chains. I just wanted you to know that.”

Arianna glanced behind her, watching the backs of those who were already walking ahead. Some had hesitated, clearly unwilling to let herself and Rion take up the rear. “Does Conall know about your plan?”

“Does he need to?” Rion glanced around, noting how the others were trying very hard not to listen in. He took her hand and began walking, filling the space from the gap in the line with long strides. “I have no intention of interfering with what he has planned. Once the prisoners are free, we’ll go after the slaves. I’m sure he won’t object to more allies for the war to come.”

“Maybe we’ll get lucky and Vairik will get caught in the middle of all this, then there won’t be a war.”

“Maybe.” His voice was low, edged with something unspoken. She wondered if he wanted to be the one to end Niall and Vairik himself. “Promise me something,” Rion murmured, his grip tightening around her hand. His gaze darkened, fierce and intent. “If you come face to face with Vairik … run.”

Her breath caught, the weight of his words settling deep in her chest. “Would you?”

Rion’s eyes flared with an intensity that could burn, the kind of fire that only came when everything worth protecting was on the line. “If it meant getting back to you?” His voice was soft but certain. “I wouldn’t think twice.”