Page 43 of The Sacred and the Tormented

“Right.” She tried to smile again, but it didn’t quite meet her eyes, but it was Cara who stood and took a cookie from the center of the plate before popping it into her mouth. Rion watched her as she sat again.

“I figured it wouldn’t matter if they did it,” Cara said. “Given that they prepared the plate and all.”

Arianna’s stomach growled and his soon followed.

“Please,” Conall said. “Help yourselves. We can bring you more if you wish. Some real food perhaps instead of just pastries?”

“I’m fine,” Arianna lied. The scent of it floated through the space between them.

“Bring them food,” Cara said. “I’m not going to sit here and listen to their stomachs growl the whole time you prattle on.”

“I do not prattle,” Conall said, straightening. Rion noted how relaxed Cara appeared to be with one leg pulled up on the chair and the other dangling loose. She might be a guest among them, but it was clear she’d formed a deep connection with the community.

Conall raised one arm and someone else emerged from inside the house. He instructed them to fetch food from inside, then they disappeared again.

“There’s a few people on standby, just in case you need anything.”

Silence filled the space again. “Have you gotten any news from the village?” Arianna asked.

Conall nodded. “Most survived thanks to Brónach’s High Lord. We’re still getting reports but—”

“Alec is there?” Rion interrupted.

Conall nodded, a slight smile on his face. “He is. He arrived not long after you left actually. A small party of your companions is on their way as well.”

Arianna’s lips parted. “They’re coming here?”

Conall nodded again. “We felt having a few friendly faces might ease any uncertainty.”

Rion’s heart sped. Friendly faces. Alec. They’d survived?

“When will they get here?” Arianna pressed.

Conall looked through the canopy of trees overhead as if trying to gauge the time. “Anytime now.”

“But—how, I don’t understand—”

“You’re sure it was Alec?” Rion interrupted again. He’d known Saoirse had sent their brother letters, but he never imagined Alec would show up personally.

“A few of our warriors were present during the siege.”

“Why?” Rion demanded.

“We’ve been … watching you.” Conall grimaced. “That sounds a lot worse than it’s intended to.”

“For how long?”

He winced again. “Your entire life.”

Rion’s hand flexed as he stared at the male. He clenched his jaw, searching for the words that were swelling with his anger. A peaceful village stood behind him. These people appeared happy. Comfortable.

“You claim I’m your king,” he began, voice low and dangerous, “yet you allowed me to live as an exile?” His magic jerked in agitation.

“It’s … difficult to explain.”

“Enlighten me,” he demanded, enouncing each syllable.

Conall loosed a breath and eyed his female companion before leaning forward. He didn’t back down from Rion’s hard stare. “Lady Eimear is one of us.”

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