Page 31 of The Sacred and the Tormented

Hehadhurt her.

Rion’s gaze flickered back to Arianna. His chest tightened and his lungs constricted to a point where he could hardly draw breath. It felt as if the vines of Brónach had come alive inside his body and were choking him from the inside out.

“Control yourself. Set your grief aside. She needs you.” The male’s hand rested on the female’s shoulder in comfort. Rion’s magic crawled over the male’s arm. He couldn’t control it, not that he wanted to. Anyone close to Arianna was a threat. He wouldn’t let anyone else harm her.

The female held her hands over his mate, tracing symbols across her abdomen. Rion’s magic snaked around her body, daring her to cause anymore damage. He’d tear her apart.

The rest of their comrades walked beside the wagon, keeping a healthy distance away, at least as much as they dared with the Dark Fae still lurking somewhere in the forest.

Rion risked looking up, trying to gauge where they might be headed. North, but north to where? Ashling? Niall? An iron cage?

Strange magic pulsed from the female’s symbols that did nothing for his nerves. It twisted his stomach in strange ways. He’d nearly lashed out at first. Maybe he had. That might explain the bruises. But as he’d watched, he’d sworn he could see a slight change to Arianna’s wound. It was still open, but the profuse bleeding had finally stopped.

Nothing made sense. Healing magic was supposed to be reserved for The Divine so where was this female drawing her energy from and what did it mean?

Sweat beaded against her forehead and her teeth were clenched. “I can’t heal this. I need Sive.”

“We’ll be there soon, just keep her steady.”

The female cast a fearful glance toward him for a split second. “But she’s—”

“It’ll be okay. She’ll know what to do.”

Rion clenched his jaw. He wanted to grab them both and demand answers, but anything drastic might interrupt this female’s concentration. He was afraid to imagine what might happen if she pulled her hands away from Arianna.

Rion hated the secrets and the unknown. He hated relying on others. And right now Arianna was at their mercy.

His life was a living nightmare. Worse.

The wagon rolled on and on and on through an endless sea of trees. The female remained hovering above his mate, her back bent and both arms outstretched. The symbols glowed with a faint bluish light that flared before sinking into Arianna’s abdomen. He wanted to ask a million questions, but he didn’t dare to utter a single word. One slip, one miscalculation and he might lose Arianna forever.

Then he’d be—he’d be—nothing. All over again, he’d be nothing. Less than nothing.

“Almost there,” the male whispered, as if he could read Rion’s spiraling thoughts. “You’ll feel a barrier as we pass though, but it’s nothing to worry about.”

Rion’s fists clenched. “A barrier for what?” His voice wasn’t his own. It was dark and empty. Like he’d reverted back to his previous vicious self. Without Arianna, it was all he knew. It’d made people from his past listen and obey.

“Pádraigín’s magic keeps us hidden from the rest of the world.” Rion’s eyes went wide, but the male continued before he could protest. “We’re a small group composed of every nation, much like Ruádhan was.” His gaze roamed back to Arianna. “There are … younglings there. Fae and half-breeds. I know you fear for her but please don’t take your frustration out on the little ones.”

Younglings. If there were younglings, then there wouldn’t be chains. Right? Or was that only wishful thinking? Niall certainly hadn’t had an issue with it.

“Then keep them away from me.” The words tasted foul leaving his tongue, but it wasn’t meant as a threat toward the little ones. He couldn’t be sure of himself right now. He wasn’t sure when his control might slip and if Arianna’s heart stopped—

The male’s face paled, but he nodded and stepped way. Rion watched his whispered exchange with another. Two Fae glanced his way before disappearing through the trees.

They were running to warn someone. Running to announce their arrival and everything in him wanted to stop them for fear of what it could mean. They could lay a trap for him and if they succeeded, then Arianna wouldn’t have anyone to protect her. But if he killed them all and ran—he looked at her again. If he ran again, she wouldn’t make it.

Calm, he willed himself.Breathe. He just needed to keep a clear head. If he did that, then he’d be able to anticipate a trap before it was laid. He’d see through their intentions if—he wouldn’t. Not right now. Who was he kidding? He’d lost his first battle when he’d been distracted by her mere presence. He’d failed to see Niall for the threat he was because he’d been too busy trying to please his mate and show her that he could be more than just a blood-thirsty monster.

Maybe change was the problem. Maybe holding himself back was what had caused half of their messes. If he gave up caring, he could easily rip the world apart and lay it at Arianna’s feet.

Only … she wouldn’t want that. She’d forgiven him for so much but everyone had their limits. If he killed these people, would he finally find those limits?

“It’s just ahead,” the male said, his voice soft and coaxing. Just ahead. Hope? Salvation? Betrayal?

Rion’s magic circled tighter and moved faster, pulsing in time to his heart beat. His throat went dry all over again. The horses kicked their feet out, surging forward slightly to get away from the circling grains. He tried to keep his magic away from them, just so they wouldn’t jostle Arianna anymore than necessary, but it was so damn hard.

Another Fae stepped forward, taking the reins and whispering soft words to the creatures as if they might comfort them. Rion tried to listen too.

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