Page 12 of The Sacred and the Tormented

She’d almost been glad to hear the religious leaders were freeing humans and half-breeds as she’d demanded until she’d also learned that they were beheading those that still owned slaves despite her decree.

Arianna rubbed her temples. “How has everything gotten so out of hand?”

Rion peered up over the document in his hand. “You’re here to reshape the world.”

“I didn’t think that meant it needed to break first.”

“The world has been broken for a long time. You’re just yanking on the jagged edges and people are getting cut.”

“Do you think it’ll all be worth it in the end? The death?”

Rion looked away. “Honestly, I can’t say.” He leafed through another paper, then set it on the desk in a pile they were leaving for her father to deal with.

Raevina burst into the room then, clad from head to toe in battle leathers. Knives were strung across her body in a menacing display.

Those who were her most trusted warriors waited outside. Rion stood to attention, his body shifting slightly to stand before Arianna. She scented his magic trying to form, but knew he held it back for her sake.

“What’s wrong?” Arianna asked. The female rarely sought her out for anything. She usually just sent a messenger.

Raevina had taken on the role as her interrogator and head of security. She made sure regiments followed a strict rotation and that all parties were ready in the event that Niall or all of Pádraigín retaliated.

Raevina held up an envelope and Arianna almost groaned. She was sick of paperwork and couldn’t wait to get out of here. “My father sent word.”

Arianna straightened. Her father. The High Lord of Fiadh.

“Is he sending aid?” Talon asked, marching in right behind her. Arianna wondered if they’d had a chance to talk yet. Maybe he’d been following her, looking for an opportunity before she walked in.

Arianna refocused. Her father had sent word to Alec in Nàdair and the High Lord of Fiadh. Alec had responded immediately, likely because Saoirse was with them. But they hadn’t heard from Fiadh and her father’s council feared he might have sided with Pádraigín.

Raevina slowly shook her head and Arianna’s heart fell. “What does he want then?” she dared to ask.

“Me,” Raevina rolled her eyes, “he says he’s grown impatient with my failures and demands I return to Púróg at once.” Right, because Raevina had been sent to assassinate her. A fact Rion certainly hadn’t forgotten.

“Will you?” Rion asked, his tone a bit more aggressive than Arianna thought necessary. She scented another wave of his magic and her heart rate accelerated.

Raevina scoffed and met her mate’s stare with a sneer of her own. One that Arianna was certain made other Fae retreat. “I serve my queen. I go where she commands.” Her attention returned to Arianna. “He also says he won’t assist in anything involving the false monarch, that his boarders are closed, and lethal force will be used if anyone attempts to cross them.”

“Did he mention anything about the Dark Fae?”

Raevina’s face shifted at that. “We already had issues with the Dark Fae before I came. It’s increased in the last few years, so much so that we can’t even venture to the mountain’s peaks for fear of them picking us off.”

“Do you think they escaped the transports?” Arianna asked. Rion had filled them in on Ellie’s findings about the Dark Fae being moved between the strait that bordered Fiadh’s western coast.

Raevina shrugged. “Now that I know about them, I’d venture to say he likely approved their release to roam the lands. He made it forbidden to kill them.”

“That confirms it then. He’s working with Pádraigín.”

“Is. Was. Hard to say.”

“Either way,” Rion said. “They’re an enemy now.”

“Which means the continent is split right down the middle.”

“We’ve always been the stronger two nations,” Saoirse said, stepping inside, causing Arianna to start. Rion moved closer and wrapped a reassuring hand around her shoulders. Were they all stalking one another today?

“I beg to differ,” Raevina said.

“I’m being objective, not offensive,” Saoirse countered. “We have greater numbers, land, and resources.”

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