Page 4 of The Sacred and the Tormented

“Nothing in war is simple.”

“Do you think Rion can handle it?”

Saoirse fell silent, eyes flicking to the window. “I think he needs it.” Arianna watched her carefully, waiting for her to say more. “When we marched to Ruádhan, both he and our mother were fine. It’s this sitting around and waiting that’s driving them both insane.”

“They’re not the only ones.”

Saoirse looked back at her, then to her own cup. “Maybe we’ve waited too long.” Her fingers drummed against the side. “We’ve gathered little to no information and there’s no telling if those seeking it have been manipulated by Pádraigín’s magic anyway.”

“So what do we do now?”

Saoirse shook her head. “Always seeking answers from someone else. I thought I told you to stop that.”

“You’re an ambassador with far more experience than I have. Call it seeking council.”

Saoirse smirked, sipped her tea, and said, “Perhaps you are learning.”

She had been thanks to Saoirse. In the hours before dawn, the female had taken to teaching her all the things that would be required of her as a queen. How to speak, when to listen, and most importantly, when to act.

Arianna had been trying to implement all of them while dealing with the aftermath of Ruádhan’s fall. The issues with the slaves. The discourse between half-breeds and the Fae. The increased need for supplies to house and feed the masses. The nobles and their endless demands. Trying to locate her sister. The Dark Fae that were suddenly roaming the land at night.

Arianna sighed and stared down into her cup, watching the leaves that’d fought their way free and now floated on the surface. “Have you decided what you’re going to do?”

They’d been discussing The High Lady’s relocation for the better part of a week.

“She needs to be back in Nàdair. I think the familiarity will help, but it’s getting there that will prove problematic.” Because of her nightmares and the fact that Saoirse would have to go with her. “I can have my second remain in my place and give him the authority to make decisions on Brónach’s behalf.”

“Rion still doesn’t want her to go.”

“No, Rion just wants to come with us.” It was true, he wanted to keep his mother safe. He wanted to keep Arianna safe and at the same time he wanted to hunt down Niall and rescue Ellie. But he couldn’t do it all at the same time.

“I’m sure if you’re—” A high-pitched scream jolted Arianna enough that the cup slipped from her hands and shattered all over the wooden floor. Tea went everywhere, splashing up Saoirse’s legs, but the female was already out of the room, sprinting for the door across the small living space. Arianna followed.

They found Eimear pressed against the far wall, her eyes wild and teeth bared. She hissed when Saoirse entered the room and Arianna remained in the doorway.

Eimear’s heart beat so hard and fast that Arianna wondered if she would pass out again. Eimear’s hand went for the iron around her wrist, but instead of ripping it off, as Arianna had seen her do, she spun it in nervous circles. Eimear had commanded Saoirse to put another bracelet around her ankle, one that couldn’t be easily removed. Just in case.

“It’s me,” Saoirse whispered as if she were calming a wild animal. It reminded Arianna of Rion. The fear. The uncertainty. Tears welled to the surface and Arianna had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep them from falling.

Saoirse crept closer and lowered herself to one knee before her mother. She gently took the female’s hand and Arianna watched the tension leave Eimear’s shoulders.

Then the front door burst open. Arianna stepped aside as Rion swept in, soaked from head to toe. His breath was ragged as he took in the scene. His mother. Saoirse. Her. He rested a gentle hand on Arianna’s shoulder, met her gaze, then brushed past and into the room.

Eimear dropped her head into one hand and clenched her other fist, struggling to ground herself to the present.

Arianna’s heart swelled, then Rion’s arms were around his mother and Eimear clung to both her children as if they were her anchors to the world.

She understood why Rion was so reluctant to let Eimear travel without him. Sometimes, he was the only one who could bring her back.

Pain lanced through Arianna’s chest and she backed away. She wasn’t needed here. Not in this moment. Two steps, then she slipped into the rain, letting it wash away her own haunted memories.

Chapter Two

Saoirse

The rain let up before sunrise and Eimear left the safety of their little house, opting for some fresh morning air.

It was good for her, especially since she spent so much time cooped up, fearing the outside world. Eimear needed to see more than just a set of four walls. She needed to get out around other people. She needed to learn that she wasn’t still a captive of that monster.

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