Page 34 of The Sacred and the Tormented

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. Rionsettled 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.”

Chapter Eleven

Arianna

A pounding echoed at the back of her head when Arianna finally stirred from the depths of unconsciousness. She refused to open her eyes as that same pain radiated throughout her entire body. It almost felt as if she’d been burned from the inside out.

Arianna tried to wet her lips and failed, then everything came back in a blinding rush. The Dark Fae, the battle, the pair that’d been trapped. Rion running to their aid.

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