Page 10 of The Sacred and the Tormented

Avalon sighed. “Arianna, you’re needed here.”

“For what? To tell people how to do things they already know how to do? To play the part of a pretty queen so everyone else can feel better?”

“You’re a symbol to the people. Don’t underestimate that.”

Arianna stood. “Ellie has been gone for three weeks.”

“And there’s nothing you’re going to be able to do that Talon, Rion, and an experienced team won’t be able to accomplish.” She cringed at the word experienced, knowing fullwell she’d barely scratched the surface of qualifying to move with an organized team.

“I found Rion,” she challenged.

“Because you are mates. The bond led you to him.”

“Ellie is my sister—”

“And she’s my daughter.” Arianna fell silent and watched her father bite his tongue, struggling to control his anger. His voice was softer when he spoke again. “Don’t you think I want to join them as well? Don’t you think I’m worried sick, wondering what that evil bastard is doing to my youngest daughter?” Arianna didn’t respond. “But I’m a High Lord and I know where I’m needed. You’re the queen of this continent and you’re needed here as well. A war isn’t won from a single battle. We need to strategize and prepare for the conflicts to come.”

Again, Arianna didn’t speak. She bit the inside of her cheek, feeling that familiar emotion well up inside her. Trapped. Caged. Useless.

Avalon ran a hand through his hair and it was the most frustration she’d seen in him these last few weeks. Her father’s face had turned haggard and large bags hung beneath his eyes. They weren’t the only ones pushing themselves hard.

“I’m going to speak with the village elders again. I’ll threaten to pull my warriors out if I have to, but we need to relocate everyone to Levea. It’s not safe here anymore.”

“Have there been more attacks?” she asked.

Avalon shook his head. “Don’t worry about it right now. Take the day to yourself. We’ll regroup in the morning.”

No one moved and it took Arianna a moment to realize her father was waiting for her approval. Right. She still wasn’t used to that.

“Okay.”

Avalon nodded once, glared at Gavin, then stormed across the room and let the door click shut behind him.

Silence filled the space. Gavin shifted and she could sense him wanting to speak yet holding back.

“So, when do we leave?” Talon asked.

Arianna’s head shot up. “What?”

Talon shrugged. “You said it yourself, you’re useless here.”

She looked between Talon and Rion, but both males just stared at her.

“What do we tell my father?”

Talon shrugged again. “Don’t tell him anything or leave a note if you prefer. We can pack and leave tonight. Worst-case scenario, we come back empty-handed.”

“Or don’t come back at all,” Gavin added.

All three of them glared at the male and he shrank away. Arianna looked between Talon and Rion again before shaking her head, a smirk creeping to her lips. “And here I thought you were the reasonable one among us.”

“I’ve been reasonable long enough. Besides, I have to take some of the responsibility of mischief maker without Ellie to fill the role.”

“And you,” Arianna addressed her mate, “you’re okay with me going?”

“Have I ever held you back?”

No. No he hadn’t. Because he’d met her in the middle of a war camp when she’d already been fighting for her life. He’d seen her take down seasoned warriors despite her inexperience. And he’d stood with her against Ruadhán.

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