Page 1 of The Sacred and the Tormented

Chapter One

Arianna

A scream shattered the night, tearing through shadow and silence. Arianna bolted up in bed just as the warm body beside hers fled the safety of the silken sheets.

Thunder cracked outside and lightning flashed through the dark curtains, illuminating her mate and the storm circling his body.

He’d retreated to the far wall, bare chest rising and falling in rapid succession. Wild, green eyes scanned the space from top to bottom before his anguished gaze landed on hers.

Landed and didn’t settle.

Instead of a refuge for him, Arianna’s presence had become a nightmare all its own. Rion hadn’t elaborated on all the ways Niall had tormented him, but she’d pieced together the fact that Niall had used her as a focal point in her mate’s torture.

Which was exactly why he was staring at her now, uncertain of himself or his reality. She saw the doubt flicker in his gaze. He was questioning everything: her, the room, himself.

Rion might be free of his physical chains, but the damage Niall had inflicted remained. Rion’s mother, the High Lady of Nàdair, wasn’t faring much better.

Every night. Every single night since he’d escaped Niall’s grasp, Rion woke screaming. He couldn’t be reasoned with, and though he never struck out, Arianna didn’t push her luck by approaching. She knew a caged animal when she saw one. Not that her own fear helped.

Even now, as his magic snaked across the floor, Arianna’s pulse pounded in her ears. She didn’t want to be afraid, but her body betrayed her.

During the day, Rion was careful around her, keeping his magic and temper in check as best he could. But they were all on edge and she hated every second they couldn’t just relax in one another’s presence.

They were mates. The relationship between a bonded pair wasn’t supposed to be like this.

It was all Niall’s fault. Or maybe it was hers for allowing herself to be manipulated. If she’d just paid attention, she might have seen through the illusions. Rion wouldn’t have suffered. Ruadhán might not have even fallen.

Her fists clenched. She should have driven that iron blade through Niall’s throat, not his stomach.

Rion’s heart slowed and his magic settled a fraction. His glazed eyes seemed to focus and Arianna reached for the bond, running a gentle fingertip along the cord that tied them together.

Her mate stiffened, his body locking up all over again.

Their bond had changed. It was stronger, deeper, than it’d ever been. Sometimes, Arianna swore she could hear Rion’s thoughts. And right now, she could feel the storm inside him as if it were her own.

She knew he could sense her fear too.

Arianna swallowed hard and rose, the cool air prickling her bare skin as the sheet fell away. She stood before him, vulnerable, just as he was.

Rion’s nostrils flared as he scented her, then wrapped his mind around the bond like a cat brushing up against its owner.

Arianna dared a step closer, watching for his retreat.

It didn’t come.

She slowly closed the distance separating them, the rain still beating on the rooftop and thunder rumbling through the sky.

Rion just stood there, staring, his eyes half full of hope and half full of fear, likely wondering what he might see next.Maybe someday he’d tell her about those nightmares. Maybe someday they wouldn’t haunt him.

Arianna lifted a hand and placed it on his chest, right over his heart, just as she’d done at the cabin. She didn’t know if Niall was able to access memories. Maybe he’d tainted all their best moments together and nothing would ever be the same.

“This is real,” she whispered in the dark. Lightning flashed through the room again. His brows were drawn together, jaw locked as he studied her. She knew he didn’t believe her. She could feel it down the bond. But Rion’s lips parted anyway as he looked her over, still seeming to wait for something to happen.

“This is real,” Arianna repeated.

Rion clasped her hand, closed his eyes, and pressed his forehead to hers. Arianna rubbed soothing strokes up and down his arms. He’d already put on more weight and his skin had regained its color.

He didn’t embrace her. Instead, Rion pressed a kiss to her forehead then walked beyond her reach. Arianna crossed her arms over her chest and watched as he tugged on yesterday’s pants and shirt.

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