Page 56 of The Sacred and the Tormented

“I know it’s a lot,” Conall said, “but allow me to give you one more piece that’s been twisted.” Raevina waved her hand for him to continue. “The mating bond,” he started. Arianna’s heart jolted. She’d already been lied to once about the bond. “It’s not a rare occurrence.”

Saoirse eyed him. “You’re going to have to explain that one.”

“I already mentioned that the bond was a gift from the gods. Their intention was for every Fae to find their mated partner, but those bonds are more likely to form between those with different magical abilities.

“Since Vairik despised the bond, he separated us into four distinct nations, thus alienating many pairs from ever meeting. It solidifies the notion that we’re stronger when we’re together, which was the reason Ruadhan stood as long as it did. The easiest way to bring down a people is to divide them first.”

“Can—magic mix?” Arianna asked, wondering if there were Fae out there capable of using more than one element.

“No, not that we’ve ever seen.”

“But how did the separation start?” Talon asked. “If children had already been born to parents with different magical abilities, how did—” Talon trailed off, clearly unable to voice the horrible acts it would take to achieve such things.

“I’m sure you can use your imagination. He’s rewritten entire family lines just to get what he wants. He’s started wars and strife among the Fae. He’s separated brothers and neighbors. He’s certainly not above taking children or eliminating them altogether.”

So many things had never made sense. Wars. Separation. Conflicts with no explanation.

“If you’ve been together this long,” Rion said, “Why haven’t you done something about it? Why didn’t you eliminate him a long time ago?”

“We’ve tried.” Conall looked away. “We’ve raged countless wars and we’ve been beaten every single time. The number of casualties is astronomical.”

“You said he always seems to know where you are.” Saoirse whispered. “Is it possible he has a seer?”

There couldn’t possibly be a third. They were so rare. Seeing Whelan in the same room as Eimear was something they’d write about for centuries to come.

“No,” Conall said. “If that were the case, I’m confident he would have found and eliminated us a long time ago. The unfortunate truth is that we simply haven’t been strong enough. We also deal with issues from the public as Vairik has turned the entire continent against us.”

“You’re the ones he labeled as rebels,” Talon said.

Conall nodded. “There are factions out there who are against the idea of the Divine, but most are slavers, and quite frankly, Pádraigín’s allies. If any of us are captured we’re put to death without a trial.”

“Because a trial would bring out the truth,” Talon said.

“And could jar the memories of those they’re barely holding onto.” Conall’s gaze drifted to hers. “Like your father.”

Arianna swallowed hard. “So when Niall mentioned that my father was asking questions …”

“Móirín’s High Lord discovered one of our books. He began digging after that and Vairik needed a way to keep him subdued without killing him. Once he learned your father had a mate, he wanted to … liberate him from his affliction.”

All eyes turned to Arianna. Her mother had been killed because of this monster. Because this Vairik believed the mating bond was some sort of cage.

“So what are you actually doing that’s remotely helpful?” Raevina asked.

“We’re freeing those imprisoned around the continent and rehabilitating them in preparation for the coming war. Now that you’re here, I believe we have a chance of winning.”

Talon furrowed his brow. “Why?”

“Because the gods will be on our side.”

“Are you about to tell us Vairik manipulated everything regarding them too?” Saoirse asked.

“Do any of you know the names of the gods?”

None spoke and Arianna realized she’d never even had a mind to question it. She remembered visiting the temples on occasion with her mother, but the details were … blank, as if she’d forgotten everything. She pressed her palm to her head. They needed to relearn everything. The entire continent had to relearn it.

“So what’s his endgame?” Arianna asked.

“I told you, to break the bond. He’s conducted experiments for years.” She paled. “It’s why we’re so adamant about rescuing the Fae in his grasp. One doesn’t come backeasily from a severed mating bond. And when you add torture to the mix, sometimes they don’t come back at all.”

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