Page 40 of The Sacred and the Tormented

“Foot,” Arianna said, tapping the bed.

“What?”

“I want to see your foot. You can’t carry me limping.” He opened his mouth, but she interrupted. “Otherwise I’m walking.” Both knew it was a false threat, she could hardly stand on her own, but Rion relented and sat beside her and propped his leg up.

Her hands prodded the tender flesh around his swollen ankle for a moment then that familiar glow illuminated the room. Something cracked again and he gritted his teeth, but then familiar warmth spread through the muscles, mending them quickly.

“Shoulder.” He didn’t argue this time. Instead, Rion pulled his shirt off, revealing the bandages he’d wrapped over himself. Arianna’s fingers pulled them off to reveal where he’d stitched the wound. She went to work. On that wound and the small ones covering his body.

Her fingertips were like fire over his skin, igniting his blood and body. He never thought he’d get to feel them again.

Once satisfied, Rion helped her stand and pull her pants on. He lingered, staring into those cerulean eyes that’d captivated him so long ago.

Rion brushed the hair away from her face. He hated the way her heart raced whenever his magic appeared, but the way she still stared at him with so much love in her eyes told him she’d forgive him later.

“We can stay,” Rion offered again. Her body trembled despite the pain killer. Despite Sive’s assurance, he’d still made someone drink it before it’d even entered the little cottage. He’d refused to drink any himself. Not with Arianna vulnerable.

She placed a hand on his chest. “For how long?”

“Until you’re healed.” His voice lowered. “Until you can fight.”

“What if its too late by then?” He wanted to tell her it was likely too late now. Whatever had happened to Talon andthe villagers was done and over. But Rion could still see the hope in her eyes, as if she believed some other force might have intervened on their behalf. “It’ll be okay. If they’d wanted to harm us, they wouldn’t have healed me.”

Rion pressed his forehead to hers. He wanted to believe those words. They made sense, but the world had taught him not to trust anyone, even those who reached out a helping hand. Their other could just as easily be carrying a knife. If they wanted something from Arianna, which was likely, and Arianna refused—his jaw clenched again.

“If we have to fight—”

“I have my magic,” Arianna said. “We’ll give them hell.”

He glanced down at the particles around their feet. “I’m sorry. I know your not comfortable with my ma—”

She pressed a finger to his lips, then drew Rion into a gentle kiss that had his blood racing. “It’s okay,” she assured. “I’ll be fine.” His grip tightened around her. He’d never forgive himself for hurting her and once this was all over, he’d spend the rest of his life making up for his mistakes.

Rion’s gaze traveled to the door. He could protect her this time. No one would harm her again.

“Ready?” she asked.

“No.” But Rion placed one hand under her legs and supported her back with the other before lifting Arianna from the floor. She hissed in pain and Rion waited for her to tell him this was too much. That she needed to rest after all, but of course, Arianna just stared at the door, waiting for him to step through.

He could hear several people outside, but as always they were keeping their distance. His magic reached for the doorknob and twisted it. Everyone who’d been whispering outside fell silent. He took one more moment to steady himself before stepping outside into the sun.

A warm breeze floated past, rustling the trees. It carried the pleasant scents of summer. The spring flowers that were fading. The smoke from interior fires. The food that was being prepared for all who lived here.

A line of trees stood off to their left, all tall and wide as if they’d been there for a hundred years. A smaller tree sat nestled right against the cabin with pink flower petals littering the space around its roots.

Three warriors stood just ahead, all staring at the open doorway and the two Fae within. Rion’s gaze traveled over their forms. None carried weapons, but Rion noted the swords and knives in the grass off to one side.

Their gazes roamed over him first, then drifted to Arianna. Arianna gripped his tunic, just as uncertain as he felt. His magic came up to surround them and one of the warrior’s lips parted.

Movement from the right had Rion’s eyes shifting quickly, taking in all he could while he kept a constant watch on the males before him.

A village.

Bodies moved back and forth along what appeared to be a well-trodden path. He noticed someone lounging in a rocking chair beneath a covered porch. Younglings played in the dirt all chasing a ball with sticks in their hands. One screamed in delight while another stomped their foot in frustration.

One of the males stepped forward and Rion’s attention snapped back to him. The male lifted his hands. “Sive isn’t back yet. I could escort you if you wish.”

Rion’s jaw worked as he took in the male’s broad shoulders. Rion scented the air and found Fiadh’s flaming undertones. If he were a Shadow Weaver—

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