Page 148 of The Revered and the Pariah

Pádraigín’s magic was responsible, of that much she was certain. She’d discussed the events in detail with Ellie last night and both had agreed that Rion had been glamoured. Or she’d been glamoured. Arianna still wasn’t quite sure how it all worked, but someone had thrown them into this mess and when she found out who, Arianna was going to tear them apart.

But first, she needed to find her mate. She’d wanted to storm from the city and begin the search on her own, but Arianna didn’t possess any tracking abilities, and if Talon hadn’t found him, then she’d fare no better. She wasn’t even sure if she could follow the bond in its shattered state. And Rion still wasn’t answering.

Arianna entered the small room to find Saoirse already seated with a mug of tea clutched between her hands. Someone had stripped the female of her weapons—Raevina no doubt—and left Rion’s sister to sit in the comfortable room in silence.

Arianna locked eyes with the female from Fiadh. She barely remembered doing it, but Arianna had wandered to the female’s room and healed her. Afterward, the female had followed her down the halls until Arianna was back in her room. There, she’d pledged her undying loyalty and confessed her motives for coming to Ruadhán in the first place.

Arianna had just stared at Raevina, and Ellie had done the same. At least, until Ellie had bombarded her with questions. Raevina had answered every one in acute detail until Ellie was satisfied she wasn’t a threat. Raevina only left to sleep and eat and reluctantly relinquished Arianna’s safety to Ellie or her second in command, Cahira.

It was a strange alliance, especially since the battle with Fiadh was still such a raw wound, but Arianna accepted it. The female was strong and her loyalty could be the key to forming an alliance with Fiadh down the road.

Arianna focused on those in the room. Talon stood before the left side of the loveseat while Raevina stood at the other end. Her friend kept eyeing Raevina and it just occurred to her that she hadn’t explained the whole situation to Talon. Arianna hoped that wouldn’t turn into a mess.

Arianna sensed Saoirse’s gaze on her as she circled around and seated herself nearest to Talon. The female’s green eyes tugged at the grief still filling Arianna’s heart.

Saoirse sipped her tea. “Finally reentering the land of the living?”

“Watch your tone,” Talon warned. Arianna didn’t reprimand him. She couldn’t, because everything about the female was sending her back into that dark, spiraling abyss. Saoirse reminded her of Rion in so many ways. Saoirse carried her head high and her shoulders squared. Her magic stood at the ready, barely contained, and she watched the corners of the room, yet made herself appear relaxed and—

Ellie cleared her throat and Arianna broke her gaze. She clasped her hands together, suddenly unsure about everything she was about to say. She’d been in her room for two months and Saoirse hadn’t found him. Neither had Talon. What did Arianna think she could say that might change anything?

“Sit up straighter,” Saoirse said.

Arianna jolted. “What?”

“You’re slouching.”

What did that have— “I-I don’t—”

“Don’t speak unless you’re sure of your words, and put more authority in your tone.”

Talon growled, but Raevina just looked amused.

Saoirse sat forward. “You are a queen. I don’t care what rumors say you’ve been doing. I don’t care what people have seen. You act like it. You make demands. You’re not a servant begging for a favor.”

“I—right.”

“Has no one taught you proper etiquette?”

Arianna risked a glance up from her lowered head, then remembered herself and sat straighter, but it was Ellie who answered. “She’s not exactly been in top form.”

Saoirse’s gaze slid to Ellie. “But no one needs to know that. No one needs to know anything. You’re here now.”

“I’m here to find Rion.”

Saoirse looked away at that. “I’m afraid I don’t have anything to report if that’s what this meeting is about.”

“What else did you think it was about?”

“The continent. Slaves. Your rule.” Saoirse offered a grimaced smile. “There’s a lot that hasn’t been addressed.”

Right. She’d never even been properly introduced to the ambassadors. And to have Raevina in this room while she was speaking with Saoirse probably wasn’t the wisest choice.

“I apologize for the delay, but my first priority is finding Rion.” Arianna choked on his name.

“The council disagrees.”

“The council can go to hell.” Arianna felt that earlier anger bubble to the surface again.

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