Page 35 of The Sacred and the Tormented

Arianna cracked her eyes open to find a very different scene surrounding her.

Dim sunlight filtered through a set of drawn ochre curtains, casting soft shadows across the worn wooden floor. A small table stood beneath the window with dried flowers in a vase, along with a tea pot and a pair of untouched mugs beside it.

The swirls in the wooden walls around her spoke of someone’s home though she didn’t recognize anything. She prayed their previous dwelling hadn’t been destroyed during the battle. Or maybe this little cottage gave Zylah easier access to her.

Arianna shifted slightly on the soft bed. She was wrapped in a thick green quilt, but blood had stained the material. She grimaced, studying the complex stitching that swirled in a floral-like pattern. They’d never get the spot out.

Arianna strained to listen outside, but she only heard the slight rustling of distant footsteps. She loosed a breath. They’d won. It felt impossible and yet—a small smile tugged from the corner of her mouth. They’d won.

Her gaze drifted down to the male half lying across the bed, his arms extended over his head, one hand resting on her leg.

His brow was knitted with worry even in his sleep, but he looked whole. His clothes were fresh and he’d taken the time to wash up.

Arianna reached out and ran her fingers through his auburn hair. The slight touch was enough to jolt him awake. Rion’s eyes flew open, his magic jerked, then his unfocused gaze scanned the space before he shifted closer to her.

Their eyes met, his red-rimmed and tear-stained.

“Hi,” she managed with a weak smile. A surge of emotions flew down the bond, hitting her so hard that her own eyes misted.

Rion knelt beside her, took her hand, and kissed her palm, holding her fingertips against his cheek. His breath was ragged as he stared at her. Then he lowered his eyes. His shoulders shook and her heart ached.

Arianna clutched his hand. “It’s okay,” she whispered, her voice cracking.

Rion shook his head. “It’s not. None of this was okay.”

“What—” Arianna tried to move, then hissed as pain speared through her body. She groaned again when it didn’t dissipate right away. Her muscles burned, fire pulsing through every fiber in her core.

Rion was up in an instant. He all but ran to the small table by the window and poured something from the teapot into one of the worn cups before returning.

“You’re hurt.” He was heavily limping on one foot.

“I’m fine.” Carefully, he placed one hand behind her head and helped her sit up. “They said this will ease the pain.”

Arianna sipped it once, then jerked her head away. “What unholy—”

“Drink it,” Rion ordered, his tone firm. She peered up at him, then his hard expression shifted to something softer. “Please.”

Arianna relented and choked down three mouthfuls before she turned away again. “I can’t.”

“It’s okay.” He rested her head against the pillow and set the cup aside. Nausea rolled through her stomach and Arianna closed her eyes, willing the spell to pass.

She licked her lips and the foul flavor hit her tongue again. “Please tell me you have something to wash it down.”

He stood again and his leg nearly collapsed. She almost called him back, but Rion had already crossed the space, cup in hand.

He assisted her again and the spicy taste of ginger tea hit her tongue. Her head returned to the pillow and Rion sat in silence at her side. Gods above she just needed the world to stop spinning.

Arianna opened one hand and Rion’s fingers interlaced with her own. He was shaking. She peered at him again. His jaw was clenched as he sat there, staring at her, waiting for another command. Waiting to be of use.

“Why are you so far away?”

Rion didn’t hesitate as he pulled the blankets back and scooted close to her. She shifted as much as her body would allow and Rion tried placing one arm beneath her head. He winced but wouldn’t let her protest as he pulled her close, running his fingers across her scalp in soothing strokes. His warmth seeped through her chilled body instantly.

“Let me heal—”

“Later,” he interrupted, pressing a kiss to her temple. Arianna let silence envelope the space. His racing heart slowed and she basked in the quiet moment. Arianna interlaced herfingers with his other hand and let her thumb rub across the back of his knuckles.

“What happened?” she finally asked.

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