Page 117 of The Sacred and the Tormented

Arianna slammed against her shackles, thrashing like a feral creature trapped in a cage. Fighting just like the magic pulsing beneath her skin. She raged and gritted her teeth. Metal bit into her flesh, bruising it as she twisted and turned.

She strained again, pushing, pushing, pushing before letting her body fall slack.

The creature within her paced.

Back and forth. Back and forth.

Arianna stilled. She closed her eyes and took a long, slow breath. She wasn’t a frightened youngling anymore. She was a queen and after today, she’d make damn sure the world knew it. That Niall and Vairik knew it too.

She just had to wait, bide her time for the perfect opportunity.

Arianna settled into herself and began counting.

One.

Two.

Three.

She let her body relax. Her magic did the same, curling up and conserving its power.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Once she attained freedom, Arianna would burn this whole place to the ground.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Ellie

…

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Arianna

Five thousand five hundred eighty-nine.

Five thousand five hundred ninety.

Five thousand five hundred ninety-one.

Arianna waited, keeping her breath and heartbeat steady as she counted in her head.

Five thousand five hundred ninety-two.

Five thousand five hundred ninety-three.

Five thousand five hundred ninety-four.

The door latch clicked. She let her eyes drift shut.

Five thousand five hundred ninety-five.

A female scent drifted over her. The same female who’d offered her water and seemed to be responsible for her care whenever Niall wasn’t around.

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