Page 66 of The Sacred and the Tormented

“All right, let’s try something. Place the water back in the bowl.” He did as commanded. “Now I want you to draw this rune.” She traced a flowing symbol into the dirt.

“I thought you said I didn’t need runes.”

“You don’t, but it’s the only way for you to actually feel the difference in the magic.”

Talon studied the symbol as she drew it again, then replicated her movements.

“Good, now dip your fingers in the water and draw it slowly. You should feel the magic begin to form as you’re drawing the lines. Feel free to do it as many times as you like.”

Talon raised his brow again, but she remained still, watching as Talon dipped his fingers into the water, then hovered over the dirt. A droplet fell from his fingertip before he took a settling breath and drew the first line.

Nothing.

He continued with the second line, circling it around, tracing the original design with his eyes to ensure he got it right. By the third line, Talon felt it. A pull, but not from within himself. This one came from the ground at his feet, as if he were tugging on a gentle rope.

It was … easy. Effortless. And familiar.

He’d always felt the magic from within himself, but he experienced a pull from the earth too. Because he was drawing from two sources.

He’d always thought it was normal. That everyone felt the same thing. He’d even had multiple Fae stare at him in frustration when he tried to describe how to amplify their power.

And it’d been because they couldn’t do the same thing.

Because he wasn’t just a Fae.

Talon looked up at her with the rune faintly glowing beneath his hand. She smiled back, pride shining in her eyes. “You, Talon of Levea, are a Weaver.”

Chapter Eighteen

Arianna

Arianna opened her eyes to find Rion already staring at her. She blinked sleepily, her body heavy with exhaustion. Sunlight already filtered through the small windows, casting a pleasant glow across the floor.

She looked at her mate again. The bags beneath his eyes had faded slightly but were still present. She imagined they would be until they rescued Ellie and put an end to the mess their world had become.

Arianna wondered if they could rescue Ellie and end Vairik in one blow. Perhaps the gods would recognize all their past hardships and grant them that mercy.

Not likely.

Ten thousand. Arianna still couldn’t wrap her mind around the number. How much knowledge had he gathered over the years? How much had he learned? How prepared was he for an infiltration?

They’d been lied to at every turn.

The Dark Fae in the forbidden mountains were actually their guardians. There were Weavers. Fae had been locked in prisons, held against their will for decades, possibly even centuries. And Rion … Rion was the king of their people.

“It’s too early,” he chastised.

“Don’t pretend you aren’t thinking about it all too.”

His hand rose and cupped her cheek. Rion moved his thumb back and forth, drinking her in as if she were some sort of miracle. “How are you feeling?”

Arianna stretched her side and winced slightly. Rion’s jaw worked. “Well, my head isn’t splitting open today, so that’s a pleasant change.”

“Good.” He didn’t move.

“We can’t stay in here all day.”

Rion looked her over again, twirling the loose strands of her hair. “Not yet,” he whispered.

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