Page 81 of The Sacred and the Tormented

Rion’s jaw worked. “I know you—” His gaze traveled to her wrists. “I know you understand, but—” He gave her a playful smirk that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’ve also seen you try to take on an entire unit of warriors for one slave.”

“I had you to back me up.” She touched his chest again. “You don’t really want me to stay behind.”

He laughed, more to himself than at her words. “No. I don’t. I want you with me every second of the day, but I also don’t want you in danger.”

“You can’t have it both ways.”

“I know, which is why I’m letting you make the choice.” Even after she’d nearly died in his arms.

“You already know my choice.”

He smiled again and pressed his forehead to hers before capturing her lips in a longing kiss. Rion pulled away. “We’ll get them out after,” he promised. “Once we have Ellie, we’ll get the rest out.”

“How?”

He shrugged. “I’ll improvise. Saoirse and I are good at that.”

“Sounds like the two of you are just trouble waiting to happen,” she teased.

He ran a hand through her hair. “Maybe.” His face turned serious again. “But I have no intention of leaving anyone in chains. I just wanted you to know that.”

Arianna glanced behind her, watching the backs of those who were already walking ahead. Some had hesitated, clearly unwilling to let herself and Rion take up the rear. “Does Conall know about your plan?”

“Does he need to?” Rion glanced around, noting how the others were trying very hard not to listen in. He took her hand and began walking, filling the space from the gap in the line with long strides. “I have no intention of interfering with what he has planned. Once the prisoners are free, we’ll go after the slaves. I’m sure he won’t object to more allies for the war to come.”

“Maybe we’ll get lucky and Vairik will get caught in the middle of all this, then there won’t be a war.”

“Maybe.” His voice was low, edged with something unspoken. She wondered if he wanted to be the one to end Nialland Vairik himself. “Promise me something,” Rion murmured, his grip tightening around her hand. His gaze darkened, fierce and intent. “If you come face to face with Vairik … run.”

Her breath caught, the weight of his words settling deep in her chest. “Would you?”

Rion’s eyes flared with an intensity that could burn, the kind of fire that only came when everything worth protecting was on the line. “If it meant getting back to you?” His voice was soft but certain. “I wouldn’t think twice.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Arianna

Perched behind one of the mountain’s jagged edges, Arianna stared down at the massive city below. City. Not village or town. The place was crawling with citizens and sentinels. Animals perched on the rooftops watched the crowd closely. The guards in their Fae forms were just as keen, their gazes catching every shadow that moved.

Her stomach twisted in knots as she watched the first few groups slip inside undetected. Someone from Pádraigín accompanied each small group, using their magic to blend them in with the environment. She’d been afraid of detection, but Conall had assured them the magic would blend in enough. There certainly wasn’t a shortage of it, despite the entire place reeking of iron.

The oily magic crawled all over her, like a parasite trying to leach its way into her body. She’d experienced it so much without even realizing it thanks to Niall. He’d made it seem pleasant, more like a butterfly’s wing beat. Now it felt more like the slime left by a snail.

Her stomach rolled. She hated what Niall had done to her. She hated that she’d been so susceptible to it and how easily she’d fallen prey to his suggestive prodding. Rion had suffered as a result. Perhaps his nightmares were her fault after all. If she’d just been more aware. More—

Rion’s hand threaded through hers and Arianna shook the thoughts away. Later. Right now they were in the middle of phase one. Infiltration.

Another group moved into position, keeping close together as they approached the gate and the guards. Wind whipped at her hair, pulling on the edges of her tight braid asthough even it were a spy, just waiting to tell Vairik of their arrival.

The group of six slipped past the guards and blended into the crowded street moments later. Arianna’s gaze lifted to Vairik’s castle in the distance. It loomed above everything, tall and menacing. The structure promised twisting halls that would have them all second guessing their plans.

Tall spikes rose from the top, as if prepared to impale anything that might fly in from above. Large crossbows stood between the spires too. Arianna didn’t want to imagine what kind of creatures Vairik might fear to have something like those in his arsenal.

Another group moved and Rion pulled her closer, crouching down as he watched.

They were next.

Her, Talon, Rion, and a male from Pádraigín that would lead them inside.

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